Category: FASA News

We are fast approaching the conclusion of another year which has been tough in many respects but franchising, in general, appears to be weathering the economic storm better than most. As a valued member of the Association, we would like to offer you a 2020 membership fee discount on the basis of a so-called ‘early bird’ payment. The Association’s council ratified a fee adjustment for 2020 of 5% but should you submit payment of the 2020 fees now the increase would be waived. Vera ValasisVera Valasis has served at the helm of the Franchise Association of South Africa for a number …

On Thursday 10 October 2019, a report on the state of tobacco industry interference in tobacco control in South Africa was presented to the Minister of Health. Although South Africa was a tobacco control leader in the 1990s and early 2000s, today the country is falling behind. There have been several amendments to tobacco control legislation over the years. However, to better protect public health, certain areas of the legislation need to be strengthened. These include, amongst others, removing the display of tobacco products at the point of sale, making all indoor public places 100% smoke-free, controlling smoking in certain …

In these harsh economic times, taking advantage of any and every opportunity in retail to tap into the social, cultural or festive events that lead up to the festive season can help achieve sales targets. In an article in Biz-Community Eben Esterhuizen, a FMCG specialist and CEO of OnShelf Pharma believes that planning for Q4 and the Christmas buying season includes having a sales calendar and planning promotions to attract shoppers – be it on-line or in-store. Whilst we may bemoan the fact that almost every week there is a day dedicated to one thing or another, and that some …

The Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA) invites suitable levy-paying entities to apply for discretionary grant funding. The application window will open on 14 October 2019 at 08h00 and will close on 31 October 2019 at 16h00. This is an incredible opportunity for franchisors who pay levies to the Services SETA to benefit from leadership funding opportunities. If you are a FASA member and would like to learn more about tapping into this empowerment opportunity to grow your network using available government funding and assisting with job creation and training then contact Nico Botha on his email nico0836601458@gmail.com he …

As the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) celebrates 40 years of representing what is considered one of the biggest business sectors in South Africa contributing over 15% to the country’s GDP, we reflect on the decade that not only saw the birth of our democracy but a surge in franchise activity. With franchise fast food and restaurants cementing their popularity in the 1970’s, other business sectors started to look at the franchise model as a way to expand their businesses. With Pick n Pay introducing the convenience store concept, others soon followed and the first Shoprite was founded in …

The Franchise Association of South Africa, through its membership of BUSA was invited to a conversation with the Minister of Trade & Industry and his team on Monday 22nd July and is encouraged at the positive and committed attitude and the concrete steps taken by the government to partner with the private sector. “After years of knocking at government’s door to acknowledge that the franchise sector has something to contribute to entrepreneurship and small business development,” says Vera Valasis, FASA’s Executive Director, “Minister Patel’s invitation to work closely with his team to open doors to new business development is a …

With franchising success largely based on the inter-dependency of both franchisor and franchisee, the task of looking after a brand’s many franchisees rests with the Field Service Consultants (FSC’s). So important does FASA believe their role is within the franchise format that each year they award a top prize of a trip to the American International Franchise Conference to South Africa’s best Field Service Consultant. Lawrence Lindeque, Field Service Consultant at Kauai was the lucky winner in 2018 and attended the IFA Conference in Las Vegas in February this year and gives us his feedback. FASA Franchise Association South AfricaTo …

Growing and empowering the SME and franchise sector will be at the centre of Akhona Qengqe’s tenure as Chair of the Franchise Association for 2019 and 2020. As Transformation Director for KFC, she will use her experience and commercial acumen to find creative solutions to some of the challenges that business in South Africa faces in its transformation endeavours. FASA Franchise Association South AfricaTo protect, lobby, promote and develop ethical franchising across all sectors in South Africa with specific focus on transformation. www.fasa.co.za …

As the Franchise Association of South Africa prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year as the oldest internationally recognised Franchise Association on the continent, South Africa can be proud to hold the torch for franchising in Africa. When entrepreneurs like George Halamandaris, in the early 1960’s, observed the emergence of steakhouse and burger concepts in the US with keen interest and decided that South Africa was ready for something along those lines, franchising was born with the likes of Steers, Burger Ranch, Spur and Milky Lane. Today, nearly sixty years later franchising contributes 15,7 % to GDP (R721 billion …

With Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni’s mini-budget speech still resonating and giving some hope with his call that ‘together, as a country, we can rebuild and recast our future… and choose a path that takes us to faster and more inclusive economic growth and strengthens private and public sector investment,’ the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Small Business Institute (SBI). According to Vera Valasis, FASA’s Executive Director ”the collaboration with SBI will provide FASA with an official ‘voice’ to be represented and lobby through the SBI at BUSA level on business …