Cold Chain

(Incorporating Food Africa News)

March / April 2006

Volume 19 Number 2

In the United States, franchising can be found in over 70 different business sectors - from distribution to fast-food, from health-care to education. In South Africa franchising is only seen in a mere 17% of our business sectors, with enormous room for growth.

The International Franchise Expo (IFE) 2006 will at the Sandton Convention Centre from 4 - 6 May 2006, under the auspices of the Franchising Association of Southern Africa (FASA).

The exhibition will showcase a range of franchise and business opportunities offering everything from million rand investment opportunities to the lower-entry level, or man-in-a-van concepts. Also, IFE should encourage new business sectors to look at the benefits of franchising - whether as a start-up business or a conversion to franchising.

Given the consistent growth of franchising in South Africa (of around 15%), with a track record of success that far exceeds that of business in general, there is no reason why any business cannot be franchised. Add to that Government's identification of franchising as a suitable vehicle for economic empowerment and job creation, and you have the perfect business blueprint.