Tuesday, August 31, 2010

California Pizza Kitchen Opens Its First Franchise In Mumbai, India

California Pizza Kitchen Inc. is opening its first restaurant in India, the restaurant chain said Monday.

The site is being opened by its franchise partner JSMGGC India Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture between JSM Corp. and Gourmet Gulf Co.

The 4,000 square-foot restaurant will be located in the upscale Bandra Kurla Complex district of Mumbai.

California Pizza Kitchen has 264 restaurants, 207 of them company-owned, and the rest operating under franchise or license agreements. Of those, 31 restaurants are located overseas.

Tags:California Pizza Kitchen Franchise,California Pizza Kitchen, Pizza Franchise, Italian Fast Food Franchise,International restaurant franchise, international franchise

Source:Associated Press, Business Bloomberg:Monday, 30 Aug 2010 | 7:16 PM ET

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Academy Of Applied Language Looks at Domestic and International Franchise Expansion

NEW DELHI: Academy of Applied Languages (AAL) a foreign language school has entered into a business agreement with language institutes in Seoul and Brasilia and has appointed franchisees in Pune, Gwalior and Delhi.

The company will further reach out to develop business partners in other cities as well. The institute is set up with guidance and support from JNU professors and is headquartered at Gurgaon.

Pankaj Agarwal, the co-founder of AAL claims that the company is geared to set up 300 centres in India and 50 in other countries within the next three years. The company has put aside Rs 350 million to develop and grow the language education business in India and overseas.

Tags:Academy Of Applied Languages, AAL, Foreign Language School Franchise, Business Agreement, business partners, Pankaj Agarwal, language education business, language education franchise,

Source:INDIAMART NEWS, Friday, Aug 27, 17:10:30 PM IST
This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Friday, August 27, 2010

India Franchise Exhibitions : Things To Do Before, At, After Visiting The Franchise Expo

Firstly, we attend a franchise exhibition to view and compare a variety of franchise business possibilities. The idea is to see what options are being showcased and whether any of the businesses make for an interesting case. You must be absolutely clear that exhibitors at the primarily want to sell their franchise systems. Be cautious of salespersons who are interested in selling a franchise that you are not interested in.

Initial Research and Primary Questions:
Before you attend, research what type of franchise best suits your investment limitations, experience, and goals. When you attend, specifically choose the opportunity that best suits your needs and then engage the franchiser.

Your Investment Levels:
We have often seen clients saying that they could arrange the funds depending upon the opportunity at hand. Infact, a clear understanding of how much you can invest and in what time period would help you immensely on zeroing on the right type of options within these investments. An exhibitor may tell you how much you can afford to invest or that you can’t afford to pass up this opportunity. Before beginning to explore investment options, consider the amount you feel comfortable investing and the maximum amount you can afford. If you need to arrange funds externally or are seeking financial help for balance amounts, be very clear of the procedure and the time involved in clearing the formalities, as the franchiser might not be willing to wait for too long.

The Right Business For Your Profile:
Whats the right business. How can you pre-define one, before knowing what options are on hand. An exhibitor may attempt to convince you that an opportunity is perfect for you. Only you can make that determination. Consider the industry that interests you before selecting a specific franchise system. Ask yourself the following questions:

Have you considered working in that segment/line of work before?
Can you see yourself engaged in that line of work for the next ten years?
Do you have the necessary background or skills?
How will your family, friends, society perceive you within that business? Is that acceptable to you.If the industry does not appeal to you or you are not suited to work in that industry, do not allow an exhibitor to convince you otherwise. Spend your time focusing on those industries that offer a more realistic opportunity.

Maximise Selective Options
Visit several franchise exhibitors engaged in the type of industry that appeals to you. Listen to the exhibitors’ presentations and discussions with other interested consumers. Get answers to the following questions:
Who are the promoters of the business and whats their background?
How long has the franchisor been in business?
How many franchised outlets currently exist?
Where are they located?
How much is the initial franchise fee and any additional start-up costs?
How will you make money? How much? Whats the pay out to the franchiser?
What management, technical, and ongoing assistance does the franchisor offer?

Why Should You Meet The Franchiser After The Expo:
If you feel an opportunity is really to your liking, the best thing to do, is to just tell the franchiser about your seriousness and to schedule an appointment after the show. Most exhibitors are exhausted and have monotonous answers by the middle of the day. Keep the discussion short, meet them after the show and you will see that they will appreciate your wisdom and approach. Exhibitors may also offer you prizes, free samples, or free dinners if you attend a promotional meeting later that day or over the next week to discuss the franchise in greater detail. Do not feel compelled to attend. Rather, consider these meetings as one way to acquire more information and to ask additional questions. Be prepared to walk away from the sales pitch if the franchise does not suit your needs at any stage.

Return On Investments and Profitability:
Some franchisors may tell you how much you can earn if you invest in their franchise system or how current franchisees in their system are performing. Be careful. Make sure you ask for and obtain written substantiation for any income projections, or income or profit claims. If the franchisor does not have the required substantiation, or refuses to provide it to you, consider its claims to be suspect. Also make a careful analysis of the market in which the franchise is going to operate and try matching it with a similar location within the franchise network.

Make Notes, Take Photographs and Collect Direct Numbers:
We have often seen entrepreneurs taking photographs of the exhibitors. It may be difficult to remember each franchise exhibit. Bring a pad and pen to take notes. Take the franchise marketing kits, franchise marketing leaflets, franchise documents or other promotional literature that you can review. Take the exhibitors’ business cards along with the details of the exact person along with their direct numbers, so you can contact them later with any additional questions.


Take It First Franchise Sales Pitch:
You may be told that the franchisor’s offering is limited, that there is only one territory left, or that this is a one-time reduced franchise sales price. Do not feel pressured to make any commitment. Legitimate franchisers expect you to take time and to investigate their offering. A good deal today should be available tomorrow. Just let your franchiser know that you are serious about the opportunity and are taking the required time to research and decide.

Initial Payments:
We have at times, seen entrepreneurs going to the franchise shows with their cheque books. It is never advisable. Do not sign any contract or make any payment at the franchise exhibition, until you have the opportunity to investigate the franchisor’s offering thoroughly. Take time to speak with current and former franchisees about their experiences. Because investing in a franchise can entail a significant investment, you should have a franchise lawyer/ franchise consultant to review the franchise documents and have an CA to review the company’s financial projection. A experienced franchise consultant can play a very vital role for you at this stage. Take professional help.

Hence you must follow all of the above to buy a reputed franchise business through a franchise exhibition or else, you might end up taking up a franchise that’s not to your liking or is different inside, whilst the cover page looked very interesting at the franchise expo.

Tags:Franchise Events, franchise show, Franchise Exhibition, franchise expo, Franchise list, franchise directory, new franchise, Franchise Options, Top Franchise, best franchise,latest franchise

This Blog is posted by Franchise Bazar, A End To End Franchise Solutions Company, Based at Bangalore, India.We offer customized services to entrepreneurs seeking new business opportunities and franchises.Visit us on www.franchisebazar.com and speak to us, and we are sure we will be able to help you choose a business that fits your skills, experience, investment levels and lifestyle.

Bank Loans For Franchise Business In India.Create Entrepreneurship Thru Financial Institution Participation.

Retail and franchise solutions provider Franchise India is planning to tie-up with leading public and private sector banks to help provide easy finance to investors keen on setting-up small businesses, a top company official said.

Franchise India is trying to bring-in a formal structure to franchise loans and act as a facilitator to provide easy loans for the benefit of small investors.

"We are working out on this (franchise loans) and are in talks with a few banks currently to develop a more proper and organised format for franchise loans to investors. Currently, the challenge is that the banks do not accept only capital equipment as security," Franchise India's President, Gaurav Marya, told PTI here today.

The franchise business, which is growing at a rate of 30-35 per cent annually will be the next tool to create entrepreneurship with an aim to promote financial inclusion.

The retail consulting firm is already in talks with five leading banks--SBI, HSBC, Punjab National Bank, ICICI Bank and HDFC, Marya said, adding that HDFC and SBI are already providing franchise loans but in a small way.

"It has to be more organised as only five per cent of the entire franchise financing requirement in India is met by financial institutions. Banks don't give industry-specific funding options to brand franchisees and often treat them at par with independent start-up businesses. This perception has to be changed," Marya added.

Tags:franchise loans, franchise lending, Franchise Funding, business loans, Franchise Finance, franchise facilitator,franchise assistance, franchising loans, franchisee loan, franchiser loan.

Source: PTI,04:08 PM,Aug 27,2010.

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Ahmedabad, Followed By Bangalore and Mumbai-Top 100 Cities For Small Business In India.

MUMBAI: Ahmedabad has been rated as the most favourable destination for small businesses in India followed by Bangalore and Mumbai, according to a joint report by consultancy firm Ernst and Young (E&Y) and retail solutions provider, Franchise India. The report gave Gujarat's diamond and textile hub — Surat — the seventh rank, bringing double pleasure to Gujarati businessmen.

The report titled 'Top 100 cities for small business in India' identifies cities, big and small, that have the potential to start and galvanise the growth of small businesses. According to the report, states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have been relatively more proactive towards providing the fitting stratosphere for the prolific growth of small business.

The previous edition of state government's Vibrant Gujarat Global Investment Summit in 2009 had focused on small and medium enterprises. Over 8,000 MoUs were signed by SMEs then. The upcoming summit in 2011, promoted as Davos in Action, too will have a focus on small enterprises. Besides Ahmedabad, Surat has been riding the high wave of optimism, given the spurt in demand for diamonds and textiles, both nationally and the exports markets. "SMEs contribute about 9 per cent of India's GDP. The report highlights some essential pre-requisites while starting a business like demography, infrastructure, retail activity, entrepreneurship and ease of doing business," Franchise India's president, Gaurav Marya, said while launching the report on Thursday.

The essentials were dealing with construction permits, employing workers, registering property, getting credit and paying taxes, he said.

Tags:Small Business, Top 100 Cities For Small Business India, Business Ahmedabad,business bangalore, business mumbai, business surat, India SMB, India SME, Start A Small Business,India Small Business

Source:TIMES NEWS NETWORK & AGENCIES, Aug 27, 2010, 12.03am IST TOI.

Read more: Ahmedabad No.1 among 100 cities for small biz - Ahmedabad - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Ahmedabad-No1-among-100-cities-for-small-biz/articleshow/6442280.cms#ixzz0xmtvUN4t

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Why The American Spa Giant 'Red Door' Chose India Over China.

MUMBAI: American spa major Red Door Spa Holdings has bypassed China and zeroed in on India for starting its global operations, a senior company official said.

“India was our first choice over China because of many factors,” said Todd Walter, CEO, Red Door Spa Holdings. “The rate at which the hospitality industry, specially the five-star hotels are growing, an increasing demand for tourism, thousands of years of culture of well-being (Ayurveda), right demographics, younger population (highly educated and affluent)—all contributed to our decision.”

For its maiden foray outside the $13.5-billion North American spa market, Red Door is ready with a two-fold strategy. First, it will partner with a leading Indian hospitality chain. Second, it will also tie up with another partner for free-standing spas in all the major Indian cities, which may include high-end residential projects as well.

“In a decade, our goal is to be in every major city of the world. And in India, we should have two spas in Delhi and Mumbai by 2011,” said Mr Walter, who is on an India visit.

The value addition that Red Door brings in for a hospitality chain, feels Mr Walter, is an increasing local footfall because of the day spa concept. And along with its Mario Tricoci salon expertise, Red Door CEO is confident of opening an additional revenue door for the hotel it partners with.

In a bid to protect the brand name and luxury positioning, Red Door won’t go for either a licensing or a franchise model in India. “It has to be a JV or a model where we have a supervisory role for sure,” said Mr Walter. All the 31 spas that operate under the Red Door name and the 20 salons under Mario Tricoci are directly owned by the Red Door Spa Holding group so that they can ensure the luxury positioning of the brand.

A leader in the North American day spa market with a turnover of $160 million, Red Door Spa started working on its global expansion strategy after the onset of recession in America.

With over 100 years in the industry, Red Door Spa owns and operates 51 full-service salons and day spas across the United States. The privately-held company backed by North Castle Partners, a private-equity firm specializing in investments in the healthy living and aging sector, licenses trademarks from the publicly-traded fragrance and cosmetics company, Elizabeth Arden Inc, part of Unilever PLC and a $1.1-bn global brand.

Tags:Red Door, Todd Walter, Red Door Spa Holdings, Mario Tricoci, North Castle Partners, Elizabeth Arden, Day Spa, Indian Hospitality Chain, Salon Franchise, franchise model, licensing,

Source:24 AUG, 2010, 02.05AM IST, NANDINI RAGHAVENDRA,ET BUREAU

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Kurl-On Eyes 100 Cr, Franchisees 'Nests',Shop In Shops and Flagship Showrooms for its expansion

After diversifying from sleep comfort to providing end-to-end home comfort solutions last year, Kurl-on Ltd will invest around Rs 150 crore in the next couple of years on setting up three mattresses manufacturing plants, one in Saudi Arabia and two more in India.

In Saudi Arabia, the Karnataka-based company, part of the Rs 2,000-crore Manipal Group, is looking to invest around Rs 60 crore, and expects to initially sell nearly 12,000 high-end mattresses a month, Mr T. Sudhakar Pai, Chairman, told Business Line here. Kurl-on is a well-known brand in West Asia.

The company's aggressive plans are aimed at giving its expansion activities a definitive direction. It is repositioning itself as a player in India's Rs 1 lakh crore home comfort industry. Thus, operating on a bigger canvass, it would manufacture a whole range of products for home comfort also.

Furniture business

Kurl-on is also focusing on furniture and furnishing. It has already signed a joint venture agreement with Mr Cesare Giacomuzzo for the manufacture of furniture and is looking for partners across India to manufacture other products.

To fund its expansion and diversification plans, which includes finding partners and franchisees across India for making various home comfort products, Kurl-on may also raise funds from the capital market next year. Based on the current market evaluation of Kurl-on at Rs 1,600 crore, the company could raise up to Rs 400 crore via an IPO and get listed on the bourses. “We have the shareholders' nod. And many a private equity (PE) player have also approached us,” he added.

India plans

In India, where the company currently has five manufacturing units, it will establish two more plants with an investment of around Rs 90 crore, to double its current production capacity.


One of these plants will be in the Jhagadia industrial hub, near Ankaleshwar, in Bharuch district of Gujarat, where the company will invest Rs 60 crore. Last week, the company was allotted 25 acres at Jhagadia for the purpose.

Mr Pai said Kurl-on is also planning to set up a new plant in the North-East, preferably in Assam, with an initial investment of Rs 30 crore. Kurl-on is expecting to increase its turnover from Rs 417 crore in 2009-10 to Rs 1,000 crore in the next two years. With this objective, he said it aims to expand its network to a total of 150 exclusive company-owned flagship showrooms, called “Kurl-on Nests”, on a partnership or franchisee basis, and also 500 other outlets on the shop-in-shop model in the next three years.

Tags:Kurl-on, kurl on, kurlon, kurl-on franchise, T. Sudhakar Pai, furniture franchise, cesare giacomuzzo, kurl-on nests, shop in shop franchise, furnishings franchise

Source:Virendra Pandit, Ahmedabad, The Hindu Business Line, August 2010.

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Hafele To Expand Via Franchise Stores In India

Hafele, a provider of comprehensive hardware technology solutions, including furniture fittings and architectural hardware, has launched its concept studio in Delhi. The company has decided to take the franchise route in India (JB Gupta is its franchise partner in Delhi) and plans to open up to 20 stores every year. Hafele already runs 17 such stores.

Jurgen Wolf, MD, Hafele, says, “We plan to grow to a Rs.1,500-crore company in the next three years.”

The current fiscal (Hafele operates on a Jan-Dec year) should see the company closing at Rs.100 crore. “Even if we go slow and open only 20 stores a year, we are okay with it, because we are then confident of quality and service,” Wolf says.

For a big studio, the company looks for a space above 2,500 sq.ft, while the size of a small studio ranges from 500 to 1,500 sq ft.

Having made its foray into the Indian market around seven years ago through the multi-brand dealership route, Hafele has aggressive plans for the future. It is currently looking at partners who are traditionally from the hardware industry, as the company feels it will take lesser time and effort to train them.

What the company attempts to create is an ‘experience zone’, where the consumer, as well as the architect and the interior designer, can have a look and feel experience of what Hafele's hardware, and the technology behind it, can do to ease life, modernise homes and smarten up kitchen spaces.

The company plans to slowly introduce its entire portfolio of offerings, including the bathroom and appliances. Currently, lighting makes up about 65 per cent of Hafele's turnover.

Realising that DIY (do it yourself) is not a big market in India, Hafele is opening up training centres in various cities to train consumers, as well as carpenters and architects, on the correct use of products.

Hafele also has three levels of certification and even recommends people who have been trained in installation, though Wolf proudly declares that the company's devices are “so simple and well thought out that even a 10-year-old can read the manual and install the fixtures”.

Tags:Hafele,hardware store franchise, fittings franchise, Jurgen Wolf, furniture franchise, Kitchen Franchise, lighting franchise, JB Gupta, interior franchise, studio franchise

Source:India Retailing Bureau, 20 Aug 2010

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

India Franchising Market Poised To Be A Major Job Spinner

The country's franchising market is poised to grow at 35 per cent annually and become a major job spinner in the coming years, as firms look to tap the huge demand present in smaller cities and rural markets, say experts.

Companies are eager to explore opportunities in the tier II and III cities, as well as rural markets, as metros and tier I cities are close to saturation in terms of growth, experts said.

"There is excitement in the franchisee industry as from a mere 300 franchisers in 2005, the number has touched 1,150 in 2010. The market is growing at 32-35 per cent year-on-year," HR consulting firm Planman HR Director & Managing Partner Deepak Kaistha told PTI.

"With opening of new outlets and branches of brands, there will be a high requirement for skilled and unskilled manpower.

Tags:Planman, Deepak Kaistha, Franchise Jobs, Franchise HR, franchising jobs, franchise vacanies, franchise manager vacancy, franchise posts, franchise careers,

Source:Press Trust of India / New Delhi August 22, 2010, 13:28 IST

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

HTC To Expand Footprint In India Through Large Franchise Retail Chain Stores

HTC has announced that its plans to strengthen and expand its Indian operations in order to support future growth in the Indian smartphone market. As part of its efforts, HTC will be working with its national fulfillment distribution partner, Brightpoint India and new dedicated distribution partner for modern trade, Ingram Micro to increase its efforts in large franchise retail chain stores. HTC will focus on intensifying retail efforts across national, regional and local tiers, and also developing a comprehensive user experience for Indian modern trade channels.

"India's unique geography, culture and consumer culture create a complex retail environment that requires a deep understanding of local retailers and consumer needs," said Jack Tong, vice president, HTC Asia Pacific. "HTC is focusing on offering customers a better retail experience that fully represents what the HTC brand stands for."

HTC will also extend its reach into the modern trade segment, while continuing to forge strong ties with regional distributors and its Preferred Authorized Retailers (PAR). It will also expand its PAR network by offering a greater variety of retail branding resources. In addition, more intensive product and sales training will be offered to all HTC retailers, ambassadors and in-store retail staff.

As part of its growth plans, HTC intends to expand its distributor network at both the regional and local level. It plans to grow this network from the current 25 to 50 Tier 2 cities, and enlarge its footprint to a total of 100 Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities by July 2011. HTC will also provide greater marketing and logistics assistance to all distributors as it builds a strong infrastructure to support the expected growth in the India smartphone market.

"We are taking the necessary steps to build a stronger, wider and more stable national infrastructure that will better support our retailers from the national through to the local level," said Ajay Sharma, Country Manager, HTC India. "This will enable HTC to deliver a consistent branding experience and enhancement of our retail capabilities."

Future potential of the Indian smartphone market

According to Gartner, smartphone sales in India made up 5.2 percent of total device sales in the first quarter of 2010, and Gartner expects this share to increase to 18 percent in 2014. In addition, smartphone sales to end users accounted for 19 percent of worldwide mobile device sales in Q2 2010, an increase of 50.5 percent from the second quarter of 2009. HTC has also entered the list of top 10 worldwide mobile phone manufacturers for the first time according to Gartner's latest report.

"The global smartphone market is poised for tremendous growth over the next three years, and HTC's focus on innovation and listening to the customer places us squarely at the forefront of that evolution." said Tong.

Tags:HTC, Telecom Franchise, Brightpoint India, Ingram Micro, Jack Tong, Ajay Sharma, HTC India, HTC Franchise, Electronics Franchise, phone store franchise.

Source:Cellular News/19 Aug 2010.


This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Europa Boutique Begins Its First South India Franchise Tile Store In Coimbatore

Orient Ceramics & Industries Limited inaugurates "Europa- Boutique" Company's first store in South India

Orient Ceramics & Industries Ltd. (OCIL), one of the largest manufacturers of Non-Vitrified, Vitrified, Ultra Vitrified and 3rd Fired Decorative Tiles for walls, floors & facades and the pioneers in floor and wall solutions brings the premium range of 'Europa' tiles to the Southern region with the opening of its new franchise store today. The new store is the company's first major venture in the region and is dedicated to providing consumers an unparalleled selection of a world-class product, focused on showcasing the beauty and value found in ceramic tiles.

The strategically located store spread over 3000 sq ft, is one of the biggest stores in the region and will enable customers to touch, feel and experience the entire product portfolio. Mr. Sanjay Monga (Vice president - Sales & Marketing) inaugurated the first franchisee of Orient Ceramics and Industries Limited in South India.


Speaking on the occasion Mr. Sanjay Monga, Vice president Sales and Marketing OCIL said, "It has been our constant endeavor to provide customers with unique tile designs with an unmatched buying experience. We plan to carve a segment for ourselves in this space. We believe in providing quality products and we are upbeat about the future growth trends in the ceramic tile industry in this region The "Europa - Boutique" is the third of newly designed franchisee outlets that has opened after successful launch of the same in Rudrapur in Uttarakhand and in Guwahati in Assam. We intend to open 25 such outlets across major markets in other regions",


"While Coimbatore is one of the largest district and one of the most industrialized city of Tamilnadu has outpaced the growth in the region. High growth potential, strong growth of the textile and engineering sectors in recent years coupled with an IT boom has resulted in a flurry of construction activities in and around the region. Thus, as the city expands - with a mix of commercial, residential and industrial activities in all areas. We are confident that this growth will also help us to have good footsteps in the growing ceramics market in the region, I am confident that that we shall be getting the same response and enthusiasm of the people of the region towards our offerings that we have received in other parts of the country" added Mr. Monga.

The tiles designed by the only European in-house designer in the country Ms. Maria Jose Castillo, will give the consumers a wide range and unmatched designs to choose amongst the variety of 'Europa' tiles for Wall & Floor.

At "Europa - Boutique", both trade and retail customers can enjoy the very best value with Europa's Price Promise. The shopping is easy with ample of parking space, in-store lifestyle displays and helpful and knowledgeable staff.

Editor's synopsis - Company's first franchisee showroom in South India in Coimbatore after successful launch in Rudrapur in Uttarakhand and Guwahati in Assam - OCIL plans to open 25 such stores in next one year - OCIL manufactures one of the widest range of Non-Vitrified, Vitrified, Ultra Vitrified and 3rd Fired Decorative Tiles for walls, floors & facades - OCIL has a base of over 4000 dealers and sub-dealers across the country - Only tile manufacturer to have an exclusive European Product & Solution Designer as part of our product development team - Ms. Maria Jose Castillo
Notes to Editor

About Orient Ceramics & Industries Ltd

Orient Ceramics & Industries Ltd (OCIL) pioneers in manufacturing ultra vitrified tiles in India was formed in 1977 as a public limited company and has been at the forefront of innovation in home décor ever since. The company is accredited with ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001 and ISO 18001 certifications for quality control management systems. Having a base of more than 1500 retail outlets and more than 4000 secondary retailers spread all over the country and also a wide customer base ranging from Middle East to Europe.

Source:New Delhi, Delhi, August 12, 2010 /India PRwire/

Tags:Europa Boutique Franchise, Orient Ceramics and Tiles, Coimbatore Franchise, New Franchise Coimbatore, New Business Coimbatore, construction franchise,tiles franchise, south india franchise,

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Cox And Kings Franchise Model Aims at Penetrating India Travel Market.

Cox & Kings (India) Limited is in the process of increasing its presence across the country through increasing its franchise network by focusing on Tier Two and Tier Three cities such as Ambala, Kurukshetra and Tirupati. It currently has 80 franchise partners across the country and aims to increase this network to 150 partners by March 2011.

Speaking with TravelBiz Monitor Karan Anand, Head- Relationships and Supplier Management, Cox & Kings (India) Ltd said, “The franchise model is an easier growth route as it does not incur any direct investment from the company while expanding its presence in the market. We regularly receive queries from young entrepreneurs wanting to associate with our network.”

Furthermore, the company also assists students travelling overseas for higher studies and specialised courses by providing them information on travel related products like foreign currency bank notes, foreign currency demand drafts, traveller’s checks, air tickets and TravelTag baggage tracking device and student insurance.

Tags:Cox and Kings, Travel Franchise,Franchise Partners, Franchise Network, franchise model, travel abroad franchise, Karan Anand, Tours Franchise, Travel Agent Franchise, Travel Packages Franchise

Source:Dheera Majumder,Mumbai,Travel Biz Monitor
This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Olive and Pine Modular Kitchen Franchise Opportunity

Bengaluru, Karnataka, August 13, 2010-- "Olive & Pine has set new benchmarks in the modular furniture domain and we are delighted to launch our latest series of customized modular kitchens - CraftsMaid here in Bangalore. The accelerated growth of the industry and the increasing global awareness of consumers in India, gives us incredible opportunity to provide expertise and value to our customers" said Mr. Derick Px, CEO, & Chief Architect, Olive & Pine.

"Culinary art has so much to it today and mere cooking is a passé. Now, it is about where you cook and kitchen aesthetics is the term you can define the phenomenon as Olive & Pine offers a comprehensive choice of materials, styles, designs, accessories, and combinations, which helps in making every kitchen unique and one of its kind." He further emphasized.

The CraftsMaid series is designed and assembled in contemporary style with practical accessories and will be retailed at Rs.1,25,000 upwards for a modular kitchen. An archetypal Olive & Pine modular kitchen is slated to be a perfect blend of expertise, experience, and extensive engineering know-how. The USP of the series being that CraftsMaid kitchens have balanced chromatic effects which adds to the aesthetics and functional demands of new-age realm of kitchens.

With the objective of expanding its presence in South India, Olive & Pine plans to enter the Hyderabad and Chennai markets through exclusive franchisee networks. The brand is seeking franchisees to partners its initiative in the metros.

Notes to Editor

About Olive & Pine

Established in the year 1999, Olive & Pine is one of the leading firms in modular furniture industry. The company is a complete end-to-end kitchen solution firm with a beautiful ambience and unique modular layout. The products are divided into three main categories - Modular Kitchens, Wardrobes and Home Furniture. The brand has an enviable reputation, as designers, manufacturers and retailers with a strong presence in spaces of Modular Kitchens, Wardrobes and Home Furniture.

The key highlights: Olive & Pine is a professional setup, providing total kitchen solutions from products to services, warrantee, branded appliances, after-sales service, designed on a special software and tailor-made to perfectly fit every kitchen floor plan under one roof. They also deal in turnkey projects for some of the India's leading corporate and developers.

Tags:Olive and Pine,Modular Furniture Franchise, Kitchen Franchise, Modular Kitchen Franchise, Derick Px, Craftsmaid, franchisee network,

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Alternative Business Opportunities For India Entrepreneurs

As concoctions go, there's no simulating the high that comes from blending business with pleasure. For some entrepreneurs in the travel industry, these two components come together in an enviable mix. Driven either by wanderlust, dormant passion or plain opportunity, these people have found ingenious ways to tap the market and create job opportunities.

It helps that the growing breed of travel junkies has spawned a hundred billion dollar industry across the world. In fact, the tourism sector accounted for 9.2% of the world GDP and provided 235 million jobs, or 8% of the total employment worldwide, according to the World Economic Forum's report on Travel and Tourism Competitiveness, released in 2009. Though the hospitality sector suffered a jolt due to the global downturn, it has picked up pace once again. According to the World Tourism Organisation, international arrivals across the globe are expected to grow annually at 4.1% and increase from the current 1 billion to 1.6 billion by 2020.

In tandem with the growing fervor for travel, Indian entrepreneurs are devising unique ways to lure tourists. Be it Suchna and Yogesh Shah, who started the Backpacker Company, Atul Khekh-ade, who charters planes, or Inir Pinheiro and Abhijeet Kavthekar, who are making the most of rural tourism, this enterprising class of professionals is set to redefine the contours of tourism in the country.

Travelling Light For Mumbai-based Suchna and Yogesh, setting up the Backpacker Company seemed a natural offshoot of their intense love for travelling to off-beat destinations. "We preferred to travel independently rather than take rigid group tours, and soon found ourselves bombarded with queries from friends regarding these trips. When we realised that people were willing to pay for good advice, we set up the company in 2006," says Yogesh. "The uniqueness of our venture is that people can enjoy a 'pay-as-you-go plan', where the food and accommodation are not restricted and they can change their itineraries midway, if they want to," he adds.

As most adventurous travellers are young and budgetconscious, the Shahs focus on hostels, bed-and-breakfasts, camping grounds and homestays. Also, the flexible backpacking plans allow clients to take off alone without having to pay extra, a boon in an industry that charges solo travellers a supplement fee. "It also helps that Suchna can vouch for the hygiene and safety of every place we propose.

So women travellers trust our recommendations," says Yogesh. The proof of their success is the 40% annual growth registered by the company since its launch. But it wasn't always easy for the Shahs. In the first year, it was tough to get the business going, especially as finance was a constraint. There wasn't enough money for marketing and advertising, so the couple relied on word-of-mouth publicity and free social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. However, in the past four years, the company has acquired more than 1,000 members. "We are considering venture capital but such an arrangement is like a marriage. You need the right partner, who understands your vision and supports your decisions," adds Yogesh.

The Shahs not only plan to expand their operations to Bengaluru, Pune and Delhi soon, but have also decided to branch out. Recently, the couple has launched Away and Beyond, a new venture to cater to those who like to rough it out in luxury. Flying High While the prospect of organising tours has pulled in a fair share of entrepreneurs, other areas in the sector have drawn an equally feisty bunch of players. Take Atul Khekhade. For someone who had nursed an entrepreneurial temper ever since he started his first company at 19, flying high was a given. Only, Khekhade was forced into a circuitous route before launching Airnetz Aviation in 2007.

While studying for his engineering degree, he started a software company, Pyxoft Infotech, in 2000, with a couple of friends. "We did everything from making softwares to hardware servicing and designing Websites," says Khekhade. However, the business didn't take off and the founders decided to split. In 2003, Khekhade joined Oracle, but after an year, decided to change course again. He plunged into executive education, working with companies in the US. It was during his travels in the US that Khekhade was taken in by the infrastructure, especially in the aviation sector. It made him wonder if there was need for better aviation and airport facilities in India. He identified a location within 80 km of Mumbai, which could be developed as a general aviation/cargo airport and could also be used for medical emergencies. "I was wary after my first start-up, so decided to ensure that the business would pay and then set it up," says Khekhade. He negotiated with companies, such as the Jain group and Religare, which owned airplanes, and worked out a schedule to lease them.

In September 2007, he set up Airnetz Aviation with Rs 5 lakh. The cost of an air taxi service or chartering a helicopter starts at Rs 50,000 an hour. Khekhade's instinct about the lacuna paid off as the company registered a turnover of Rs 3 crore in 2009-10. Tapping the Roots Much like Khekhade, toeing the line doesn't come easily to Inir Pinheiro. So, after earning his post-graduate degree in rural management from XIM Bhubhaneswar, he decided to work for Greenpeace.

Even as he was tinkering with the idea of rural tourism, he met Abhijeet Kavthekar, who worked at the Watershed Organisation Trust. "Lack of opportunities in rural India has made it a hotbed for illegal activities. I wanted to leverage the potential in villages and tourism seemed an ideal way to do it," he says. So, in 2006, he and Kavthekar laid the foundation for Grassroutes. "For this venture, the trust supplied me with support and funding of Rs 20 lakh," says Pinheiro. A big advantage of the hospitality sector is that it does not necessarily require highly skilled workers. It's a benefit that Pinheiro and Kavthekar have manipulated to better the lot of villagers in Maharashtra. The first village they set foot in was Purushwadi, a five-hour drive from Mumbai. "The villagers were apprehensive about what people would do if they stayed there and were flabbergasted at the idea of asking the guests to pay for food. We also needed to shore up the facilities in the village," says Kavthekar.

They first experimented with dummy tourists to find if the villagers could cope with their needs. "I then began to tap my network of alumni and called up people in corporates randomly. Of the 30 calls I would make, barely four would respond," says Pinheiro. However, the idea had its appeal and began to take quick root. In 2009-10, Grassroutes hosted 350 tourists and the founders plan to rope in six more villages this year. Hearth Benefits Extreme entrepreneurship, however, is not for everybody.

If you're wary of losing money in a business, you can go the franchise way, as did the Nayars. The much publicised Incredible India campaign prompted R.K. Nayar, a retired army officer, to turn his house at Kailash Colony, Delhi, into a bed-and-breakfast. "I got government approval in January 2008, but at my age I wasn't keen to do any running around for marketing."

When he heard that the Mahindra group was planning to branch out into homestays, he approached the company in October 2008, and it agreed to take on marketing and booking. "It's the best of both worlds, as we have the support and can still take independent decisions on day-to-day running of the business. Till date, our rooms have been occupied for about 600 days," says Nayar. Obstacles and Opportunities Not everybody has the Nayars' luck. There are several challenges that entrepreneurs have to tackle, the biggest being tourist satisfaction. "A big impediment is language, especially for foreign tourists," says Pinheiro.

There's also the problem of meeting international standards. Says Vimla Dorairaju, business head, Mahindra Homestays: "It's not easy to convert your house into a homestay. There are stringent requirements. We visit 10-15 homes before finally zooming in on one." Overcoming such obstacles can often lead to the discovery of new opportunities. "There are nearly 400 air strips in India, but facilities at most are below par. Some of these, such as the one in Pune, aren't even commercially owned and fall under the jurisdiction of the Indian Air Force.

So there's a lot of potential in this area," says Khekhade, who plans to focus on airport development. He has begun work on a blueprint to start operations in Surat, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Assam. There are many more Khekhades and Pinheiros waiting to devise new tourist lures and tap travel opportunities. In the process, they are creating more employment avenues, business for themselves, and pleasure for tourists. It's a blend that serves to please all.

Tags:Suchna Shah, Yogesh Shah, Backpacker Company, Atul Khekhade, Inir Pinheiro, Abhijeet Kavthekar,Away and Beyond,, airnetz aviation, grass routes,mahindra homestays,Alternative Business, new business

Source:Money Today, Namrata Dadwal, Aug 16, 2010
This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Blues Clothing Company To Expand Premium International Retail Clothing Franchise Brands In India

NEW DELHI,: Three high-end fashion brands -- Tween, Damat and ADV -- from the Turkish Orka Group are set to enter India by October this year, to cash in on the expanding luxury space in the country.

Delhi-based Blues Clothing company has tied up with the Orka Group, that has presence in over 35 countries worldwide with nearly 400 sales points, as franchise to bring the three apparel and accessories brands.

"We are bringing these Turkish brands in India and will set up multi-brand and standalone stores by October," Blues Clothing Company Executive Director Abhay Gupta said.

Blues Clothing Company (BCC) currently is the exclusive franchisee for a host of other luxury brands, including Italy's leading names -- Versace Collection, Corneliani, Cadini, VJC and Gianni Versace.

The Delhi-based firm will be launching the menswear range from the three Turkish brands, with a price range of Rs 5,000 and Rs 20,000.

According to industry observers, the current economic scenario in India offers good potential for international high-end brands to make a foray here.

"Now sentiments are positive and there is willingness to spend on high-end luxury products. If the current economic conditions remain the same in India, luxury retail will surely kick off here," Retailers Association of India, CEO Kumar Rajagopalan said.

As per industry estimates, the super-premium fashion market in India is valued at over Rs 1,500 crore and is pegged to touch over Rs 5,000 crore by 2013.

Besides introducing the new labels, BCC will also increase the total number of stores for the various brands that it retails in India.

"The plan is to open around 25 new stores across brands by October this year, these will be a mix of both multi-brand outlets and standalone stores," Gupta said.

The total investment will be around Rs 50 crore, he said, adding it would be funded through a mix of debt and internal accruals.

Gupta said currently BCC has a total turnover of Rs 100 crore and is expected to be Rs 200 crore by the next year.

As a part of the expansion plan, BCC will open new Versace, Cadini and Corneliani stores in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

Source:15 AUG, 2010, 10.45AM IST,PTI

Tags:ween, Damat, Adv, Orka Group, Blues Clothing Company, Abhay Gupta, BCC, Versace Collection, Corneliani, Cadini, VJC, Gianni Versace, Kumar Rajagopalan, RAI, Premium Retail Stores,

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Edible Arrangements Signs Master Franchise For India

WALLINGFORD, CT -- (Marketwire) -- 08/16/10 -- Edible Arrangements, the pioneer and leader in hand-sculpted, fresh-fruit arrangements, announced today the signing of a Master Franchisee agreement with Hiten Bajaj for the development of 20 units throughout the Republic of India over the next four years. The first location is expected to open by the end of the year in Mumbai. With this agreement, Edible Arrangements is now available to consumers in 10 countries outside the United States and Puerto Rico.

Bajaj studied at the American University in Dubai and secured his bachelor's degree in marketing and business administration from Southern New Hampshire University, Boston. Four years ago he launched Mosaic Live Communications, an event management company in Dubai that specializes in high-profile corporate affairs and product launches.

"We are very excited to welcome Hiten into our system and introduce Edible Arrangements to consumers in India," said Tariq Farid, CEO and Founder, Edible Arrangements, Inc. "As the founder of a prestigious event company, Hiten is well versed in client service and hospitality, making him an ideal brand ambassador and we wish him the best of luck with the opening of his first store later this year."

Currently, Edible Arrangements has over 970 locations with the goal to reach 1,000 units by the end of 2010. The company has experienced strong growth in 2009 with the opening of 74 new stores and franchise agreements for more than 85 locations in the U.S. and internationally.

As part of its aggressive growth strategy, Edible Arrangements is seeking to add several new development agreements in the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and other areas of the United States, while expanding its presence to Japan, South Korea, Jordan, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, South Africa, Singapore and Egypt. In addition to finding qualified new franchisees, the company's growth strategy includes continuing to grow its existing franchise base into enterprise multi-unit operators.

"Edible Arrangements is an exceptionally unique concept that will be well received during the continuous celebrations and ceremonies that occur year-round in India," said Hiten Bajaj. "Additionally, there has been a recent shift in consumer behavior with many opting for healthy eating and lifestyles making Edible Arrangements a perfect fit for a country like India where there is no product like this."

Tariq Farid, the recipient of two Entrepreneur of the Year awards in 2009 from the International Franchise Association and Ernst & Young in Metro New York, developed and launched Edible Arrangements in 1999 in East Haven, CT, after many years in the floral industry. He learned early that corporate support can make the difference between a struggling or thriving franchise. It is for this reason that Edible Arrangements offers its franchisees comprehensive corporate and onsite level training, unparalleled technology, national brand recognition and extensive support.

Since its inception, Edible Arrangements has earned countless accolades from the industry, including its ranking as first in its category by Entrepreneur Magazine's Annual "Franchise 500" Ranking for the past five consecutive years and the winner of the ICSC's 2010 Hot Retailer Award. In addition, the company has also ranked for six consecutive years in Inc. Magazine's top 5,000 fastest growing privately-held companies.

Individuals seeking to own and operate an individual Edible Arrangements franchise should posses a minimum liquidity of $60,000 and the ability to invest approximately $147,000 - $261,000. Multi-unit store development plans, international master franchisee licenses and financing options are also available for qualified applicants.

About Edible Arrangements
Edible Arrangements International, Inc. is the leading purveyor of delicious, high quality, artistically designed, fresh fruit arrangements that are practical and healthy gifts. Founded in 1999 in East Haven, CT. by Tariq Farid, Edible Arrangements has been ranked first in its category by Entrepreneur Magazine's Annual "Franchise 500" Ranking for the past five consecutive years. With over 900 locations operating or opening soon worldwide, Edible Arrangements is rapidly expanding across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Italy, Turkey and Hong Kong.

Tags:Edible Arrangements, Hiten Bajaj, Mosaic Live Communications, Tariq Farid, international franchise association, international master franchisee licenses, Franchise Financing,

Source: Marketwire, Aug. 16, 2010 10:00 AM

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Manchester United Cafes To Open 10 more cafe's across India.

There are three Manchester United Cafés and bars presently, operational in India — in Mulund and the Palladium Mall in Mumbai, and in Gurgoan. Following the rousing reception to the brand, the franchise plans to open 10 more cafes across the country, in Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Goa, Pune and Chandigarh.

“We’re also looking to branch out in the western suburbs, and are targetting Andheri Link Road and Juhu. There are also plans for a slightly smaller outlet in South Mumbai for the townies and corporate crowd,” informs Gaurav Goenka, director, Mirah Group.

After a mega promotional plan woven around the FIFA World Cup last month, Goenka is now looking to cash in on the annual English Premier League. “The crowd-pulling schemes will depend on the importance of the matches being played that day. Once all 10 outlets are operational, we will also think of flying down some of the ace footballers as guests,” says Goenka.

Expansion plans are in place for the thali joint Rajdhani as well, now that Mirah Group has acquired a 100 per cent stake in the venture. The flagship brand should open in all the major cities, including Delhi, Chennai, Bhopal, Nasik and Allahabad. “We are also looking at new outlets in Vashi, Thane, Bandra and Juhu that should flag off in the next four-six months. And after Oman and Dubai, we are exploring Singapore, Hong Kong and London as future venues.

We are getting enquires from the US,” he says. Geonka does not intend to incorporate any major changes in the menu but says it will be more elaborate, the ambience will be more elegant and service standards will be upped. “We are also thinking of having regular festivals like a Sindhi or a Maharashtrian food fest, when we will deviate from our regular Gujarati-Rajasthani cuisines,” points out Geonka.

His Bandra-based Italian restaurant, Café Mangii, is also branching out in Powai and Andheri, and after Goa, will be travelling to Pune, Bangalore and Delhi. These cities are also on the radar for Falafels that is currently operating only out of Mumbai.

New food court?
The food court brand Palette, which has just opened in Shird, Vapi and Pune, could be entering the city next. “We are also looking at Mumbai but the concept of serving different cuisines under one roof works best in tier-two cities,” explains Goenka.

Novelle, that caters to select clients like Infosys in Mysore, the Aditya Birla Hospital and the Malabar Hill Club in Mumbai, is also growing. “We could start serving hygienic, high on nutrition meals to Infosys in Banglaore next. And Billabong High School, whose Thane branch we cater to presently, could use our services for its other branches too,” says Goenka, adding that talks are on with other international brands but it’s too early to divulge details.

Tags:Manchester United Cafe Franchise, Man U Franchise, Gaurav Goenka, Mirah Group,Rajdhani Franchise, Cafe Mangii, Palette, Novelle, Rajdhani Thali Franchise, Thali Franchise.

Source:Roshmila Bhattacharya, Hindustan Times,Mumbai, August 09, 2010

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Oceanic Consultants, BPO Intelligence and Object Next Software Makes OCA Group a 440 Cr Business House

CHANDIGARH: He used to sell decorative candles to the newly-wed couples along the roadside in Chandigarh. "I was never interested in studies, and I always wanted to do something of my own," says Naresh Gulati, who is now the owner of Rs 440-crore Oceanic Consultants Australia Group (OCA Group).

From selling candles to wholesale cloth trading, to cosmetics wholesale and teaching at Aptech Computers to running a computer centre, the 39-year-old tried his hands at many things before homing in on overseas education consultancy business.

The journey has not been easy for Mr Gulati who flunked in class 10 and performed miserably in college. But he is now a guest lecturer on entrepreneurship in leading Australian universities.

Armed with a diploma in electronic data processing, Mr Gulati went to RMIT, Melbourne, in 1995 for a post-graduate course in information systems. However, destiny had scripted a different chapter for him.

"When I reached there, I realised that I had been duped. I was promised a job in Melbourne by my immigration consultant, and that would have helped me clear the loan that I took for going overseas," recalls Mr Gulati. For the next six months, Mr Gulati came in touch with several students who had met the same fate. And this made him think about a fantastic business opportunity-immigration consultancy business.

Mr Gulati came back to Chandigarh in 1996 and started Oceanic Consultants. "Chandigarh had over 110 such agencies at that time, and I was discouraged by many not to venture into this business, says Mr Gulati. "There was a time when I had to choose between two options-paying the rent or using that money for advertising. I chose the latter and the risk paid off,".

In three years, Oceanic Consultants had opened branches in Ludhiana, Patiala, Jallandhar and Amritsar. However, the franchise model was not sustainable as quality was getting affected and people were not interested in investing money. Moreover, established players such as Study Overseas and IBP Education created a dent in whatever little marketing that Oceanic did.

Oceanic Consultants then zeroed in on company-owned office model. And the decision paid off. Oceanic now has 20 offices across India and plans to take the count to 60 by 2013.

"We opened our Australia office a decade back and the UK office last year. By the end of this year, we will be present in US and Canada. Punjab offices have now started to become profitable, while others will soon follow suit," says Mr Gulati.

He saw another opportunity in printing and distribution segments of universities. "In 2005, we developed a new technology enabling online orders of prospectus printing, postage and tracking from India to anywhere in the world. This outsourcing facility has helped universities save 25-65% of their profits even when our investment in starting BPO Intelligence was A$ 1,000," adds Mr Gulati.

In five years, BPO Intelligence is the leading company in Australia with 29 of the 39 universities using its services. Seven of the eight universities in New Zealand and eight clients in the UK also use these services.

The next year, another idea on software solutions for the education industry lead to formation of Object Next Software with an investment of A$ 5 million. In 2007, after a corporate restructuring, the OCA Group became the parent company of Oceanic Consultants, BPO Intelligence and Object Next, based out of Australia. The companies have been winning accolades from Australian Business Awards every year since 2008.

This year, Oceanic Consultants won the Australian Business Award for best enterprise in personal services industry. While Object Next won the award for best new product, BPO Intelligence won the award in two categories - product value and product excellence.

The Fairfax Media Group's Business Review Weekly ranked BPO Intelligence as the 12th fastest growing company in Australia this year, up from 93rd in 2008. Today, it contributes to more than 30-40% of the group's total revenue of $A 20 million. To make the Oceanic Consultants meaner and leaner, Mr Gulati brought in PriceWaterhouseCoopers last year to do a performance management of the entire system, and at the same time added a virtual private network connecting all its offices across different countries.

Mr Gulati feels that India will fuel the growth in overseas education even when the Indian government is rooting for foreign universities to come and set up shop.

"The demand for quality education and a global qualification is high in India. We plan to capitalise on this demand and become a global player, enabling admissions from any place to any place in the world. We're investing heavily into technology, which would allow us to hold global webinars providing virtual access to everyone," adds Mr Gulati.

Tags:Naresh Gulati, Oceanic Consultants, OCA Group, Overseas Education Franchise, Study Abroad Franchise, Immigration Franchise, immigration consultancy business, BPO Intelligence, Object Next

Source:11 AUG, 2010, 10.12PM IST, GULVEEN AULAKH,ET BUREAU,
This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Friday, August 13, 2010

India Franchise Companies and Top Brands waking up to entrepreneurs in Tier II, III cities.

AHMEDABAD: A small town in Parbhani, around 400 km from the financial hub of Mumbai, has of late woken up to the concept of sending their toddlers to a branded pre-school. Never before a parent of the town actually dressed up his child in neat uniform for something that seemed essentially a plaything.

For EuroKids International Ltd, however, it was about spotting a local entrepreneur to lap up its flagship pre-school brand EuroKid as its new franchisee. With the untapped tier II and III cities showing a phenomenal 40-45% growth in the $16 billion Indian franchising industry, the decision to go to Parbhani was obvious.

Not just education service providers, even retailers, travel operators and FMCG companies are thronging lesser known towns and cities to find franchisees in local entrepreneurs. “The Indian market that has never witnessed such excitement in the franchise industry,” notes Ritu Marya, the director of Franchise India. From 300 franchisers in 2005, the numbers doubled in 2008 while standing at 1,150 in 2010, she observes. “With understanding of the franchise business, companies are eager to explore opportunities in the market that is growing at 32-35% YoY.

However, with metros and tier I cities close to saturation in terms of growth of brands through the franchise model, brands are looking at virgin markets. So be it tier II or III cities or rural India, which contribute about 25% and 5% respectively to the franchise turnover basket, brands are expected to penetrate those markets more aggressively than ever before in next five years time,” she adds. That explains presence of EuroKids’ franchisee in markets like Akot, Angangaon (both Maharashtra), Navsari and Nadiad (Gujarat) or kitchenware retailer Prestige’s franchisee in Rajapalyam (TN) and Haldia (WB) and AMUL’s in almost every nook and corner of its home state Gujarat and elsewhere.

Says KG George, VP (retail), TTK Prestige Ltd: “Our presence in 160 towns through 246 franchisees have paid off very well. In fact, in certain cases, like the outlet in Rajapalyam, the turnover (Rs 40 lakh per month) surpasses the cumulative turnover of Prestige from multi-branded outlets. Now, we are keen to scale our number by 50 additional franchisees to achieve a 13% growth this fiscal and would essentially go to smaller towns where we are not represented well.” Big brands eager to set shop in these new markets essentially assess the disposable income of the consumers. “Brands look for a market where an average income of a family would be Rs 8-10 lakh per annum. Growth in infrastructure in those pockets, low rentals and high disposable incomes have given a thrust to this process,” Marya adds.

For Debashis Chattopadhayay, who has been retailing everything from buttermilk satches to ice-creams and pizzas under the AMUL brand, saying no to eager franchise takers has understandably been a daunting task.

The deputy Manager (retail) at Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd that markets AMUL, who seeks to take the number of franchised outlets from current 5,000 to 10,000 by 2012, has experienced the brand-pull of AMUL. “We aspire to grow in smaller markets with partners who are passionate about the business and not just thinking of quick financial returns,” he says.

Franchising essentially needs a long-term approach and has to be looked at in terms of 5-10 years period. Considering it is an alternative to people, time and money, one has to be very sure about the model.Education topping the charts of the most franchised business in India (28%), followed by apparel retailing, companies playing in those sectors have adopted franchise route as their expansion strategies.

Uttam Saklani (area manager-West), EuroKids, could not agree less. Inching closer to take its tally of branded pre-schools to more than 900 in the current fiscal, the company is very sure about the potential growth markets. “With nearly 70% of our target group residing in the smaller towns and cities, we are aggressive about entering those markets through the franchise route,” he says adding that 40% of such franchised pre-schools are in smaller markets.

Tags:franchise model, franchise in tier II cities, franchise turnover, franchise penetration, franchise small towns, franchise smaller cities, franchising in small cities, franchise small markets

Source:12 Aug 2010, 1502 hrs IST,Shramana Ganguly Mehta,ET Bureau.

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Shriram Finance Opens Its Priveleged Franchise at Vadodara

Mumbai, Maharashtra, August 13, 2010: Shriram Transport Finance Co. Ltd (STFC), the largest asset financing NBFC, today, announced the launch of Privileged Franchise at Vadodara, Gujarat. The novel endeavor will cater to STFC's extended network of niche customers.

Mr. U. G. Revankar, Dy. Managing Director, Shriram Transport Finance Company Ltd. inaugurated the Privileged Frachise at Trident Complex, Race Course Circle, Vadodara. The Privileged Franchise will be at par with any other Shriram branches.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Privileged Franchise, Mr. U. G. Revankar, Dy. Managing Director, STFC, said," I am delighted to inaugurate our Privileged Franchise in Vadodara which is a rapidly growing and strategic market for us. The pre-owned car market in Vadodara is growing at a rapid rate and has immense scope for growth."

"We are honored to be associated with Shriram Transport Finance Company Ltd. and intend to add sustainable, long-term value to the company and the customers" added, Mr. Ashok Jain of Privileged Franchise.

Shriram Transport Finance Company Limited is the flagship company of the Shriram group which has significant presence in Consumer Finance, Life Insurance, General Insurance, Stock Broking, and Distribution businesses. Incorporated in 1979, Shriram Transport is today the largest asset financing NBFC in the country and holistic finance provider for the commercial vehicle industry and seeks to partner small truck owners for every possible need related to their assets. It has PAN India presence with 482 branch offices. Based at Mumbai, it manages assets over Rs 30,000 crores and has a customer base exceeding 7,00,000.

Tags:Finance Franchise, Financing Franchise, Shriram Franchise, Priveleged Franchise, Vadodara Franchise, Transport Franchise, loan franchise, shriram transport finance company

Source:India PRwire

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Franchising Association Of India To Hold Its Annual Conclave at IRF On 28 SEP 2010

Franchising Association of India (FAI) is holding its annual conclave at the IRF on 28th September 2010. The conclave will see some of the most successful franchisors and franchisees from India and overseas deliberating on the theme ’Franchising – The Future Of Retailing In India’.

Mr C Y Pal Chairman mentioned, "with the increasing spirit of enterprise in the retail sector, the franchising format is finding large and growing presence in hundreds of malls and otherwise all around the country. I believe that IRF 2010 will provide an excellent forum for debating the issues involved for managing orderly growth and for evolving the directional steps that the franchising industry should work towards in the coming years."

The backdrop of the event will revolve around how franchising as a business model has witnessed rapid growth in recent years, along with emergence of many modern retail formats, there is lot more that remains to be done to steer orderly growth of franchising to ensure ongoing successes in this domain and to minimise failures. Simply lobbying with the Government to bring in more regulation is not the right answer to the issues involved. Bringing in transparency and professionalism in Franchisor-Franchisee business relationships based on international best practices is going to be the major challenge.

The Discussion points being:

The current status: The number of franchising systems in the country and projected growth in the coming years.

Issues based on current experience.

Support systems required for orderly growth of the industry.

International best practices: Franchise agreements, disclosure norms.

Do we need Govt involvement and regulation?

Way forward in the coming years.

The conclave aims to foster the spirit of franchising in India which is growing at a very fast pace.The franchise event aims to bring the franchise industry together to discuss how they could collaborate to enhance franchise growth and play a vital role in the future of retailing in India .The conclave will see the franchise leaders and the entire franchise fraternity come together to celebrate the coming of age of franchising in India.

Members of the FAI could register online on:
http://www.indiaretailforum.in/fai.asp

Tags:FAI, Franchise Association India, Franchising Association Of India, Franchise Conclave, Franchise Event, Franchise Industry, franchising systems,india franchise, india franchising.

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

JumpBunch Inc USA Appoints Fun Factory India as Their First International Master Franchise

angalore JumpBunch Inc USA, a franchisor that provides sports and fitness programs for kids, announced the successful launches of its first international master Franchise in India to M/s Fun Factory. As part of their expansion plans, they will run and manage the Franchise network in India. The potential that they see in India is large and they believe that this is a fertile market to tap into as they grow.

JUMPBUNCH® Inc. USA (www.jumpbunch.com) provides a “Friendly Introduction” to sports, fitness, and physical education training to children in Preschools, Day-cares, Schools and other similar facilities for the last 13 years. This program is targeted at kids between the ages of 2 years and 8 years. It currently operates around 37 franchises in about 26 states in the US. This is their first venture outside of the US. Every week 15000 kids go thru the JumpBunch program all over the US.

Thomas Bunchman, President and CEO, JumpBunch Inc said, "We are proud to have Dhana and Deepak as our first International Master Franchise. They are extraordinarily talented people with a passion for introducing sports skills to children across India. We expect this to be a springboard for further international Master Franchises across the globe."

DhanaLaxmi and Deepak, Founders, Fun Factory, said,” Jumpbunch has devised a curriculum that provides awareness and generates an interest among children towards sports and fitness at a very early age. The objective is to make sports and fitness learning a fun and enjoyable activity and to cultivate it as a habit early on in life.” “The curriculum, developed and currently used in the US offering 70 international activities, aims to improve a child’s motor skills & coordination and build soft skills like team play, team work, directional abilities, discipline, etc and also help build the basic skills towards playing bigger and better sports after the age of 8, “ they further added.

The curriculum uses age-specific equipment that helps maintain a high level of safety, preventing any possible accidents or injuries. Their model is a portable one with JumpBunch associating with various schools in Bangalore and offering this activity either as part of the school curriculum or as an after school activity. The sessions are conducted in a musical & fun filled environment with the children enjoying what they are doing and not completely realizing that they are actually exercising and learning the technicalities of the sport. This is also offered in various activity centres as an after school activity across the city.

Tags:JumpBunch, Thomas Bunchman, Fun Factory, Kids Franchise, Dhana and Deepak, Franchise Network, Kids Skill Development Franchise, Kids Development Franchise,kids sports franchise

Source:Businesswire India Posted: Aug 10, 2010 at 1533 hrs IST

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Monday, August 9, 2010

continent hotels signs south asia master franchise PV Hotels as sole licensors to expand in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia,Singapore, Srilanka and Thailand.

Continent Hotels and Resorts Brand Franchise Systems, Ltd. (CHR), has announced that a master franchise license agreement with India-based PV HOTELS & RESORTS PVT LTD will bring the Continent Brand flag to India and South East Asia.

With the agreement, PV HOTELS & RESORTS PVT LTD will become official licensor in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Company announced that according to agreement and plans, 25 hotels opening planned during first year of their license.

"All hotels represent perfect examples of what Continent Hotel, Continent Resort and Continent City Inn symbolize, international standards, blended with Turkish Hospitality," states Ethem Zagikyan, Principal and Managing Director of Continent World wide. "By entering into a joint venture and Master License agreement with PV Hotels, we aim to intensify Continent's position in the market, which includes investing additional resources," continues Ethem. "By increasing our involvement, we aim to boost the developments so to achieve our overall mission of becoming one of the well known brands in the markets we operate in. We are excited to begin granting our third international partnership agreement, and to be partner with PV Hotels. Bringing the Continent brand to South East Asia will contribute greatly to its growing travel and tourism industry."

PUJA MEHTA DIXIT, the President of PV Hotels said; "We are pleased to be working with Continent brand franchise, and look forward to developing and re branding hotels. We have found an excellent fit with our Continent Hotels partnership, a mid and upper scale market limited and full service chain that fits the strategic needs of South East Asia" and adds; "These are important ingredients for our franchise success. The personal support given from the Continent's corporate staff combined with the implementation of PV Hotels experience is a winning formula for growth and success."

About Continent:

Continent Hotels and Resorts® and its standards were founded in 2000 by veteran hotelier Mr. Jirayr Zagikyan who has more than 40 years experience in hospitality field, as Executive Team Member role with Hilton International, Merit Hotels and Resorts and Divan Hotels. Continent brand registered as trademark in 2003 by his son Mr. Ethem Aret Zagikyan and Company started to ramp up in International Arenas not just as Consulting Services Provider but as an International Hotel Operator and brand franchisor. Continent Hotels & Resorts is a privately owned franchise and management company with its head office based in Istanbul, Turkey.

Tags:Continent Hotels, Brand Franchise Systems, PV Hotels, licensor, city inn, ethem zagikyan, joint venture, master license agreement, puja mehta dixit,jirayr zagikyan, hotel franchise

Source:Company Press Release August 7, 2010.

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Ferns N Petals reaches the 100 Stores Mark.Franchise Chain Efficiency To Improve After Tie Up with Heroites.

New Delhi: Fern N Petals which was started by Vikaas Gutgutia in 1994, as single outlet in Delhi is on a verge to complete its 100 outlets Pan India.

Today, in 16 years, the company is the only branded florist retail chain in the country with around 97 outlets spread across 35 cities, whereas the large number are under the franchising model.

In addition to its own outlet, FNP has 156 vendor partners overseas for global deliveries. The FNP Web site, which caters to the floral need of the customers across the globe to express emotions, makes for almost 18 - 20 per cent of the business.

“FNP offers best services to cater their client with their presence on internet and franchise flower shops, We are the premium online florist offering delivery services of fresh flowers to almost any location in India, said Vikas Gutgutia (MD FNP).

FNP has outsourced it’s call centre to HEROITES, the leading name in the industry to enhance customer relations and improve the efficiency of delivering fast and to maintain quick response to the customers.

“Online flower shopping is an innovative idea to reach directly to the consumers, As per the Market trend, the ever-increasing popularity of exotic flowers makes it a successful mode of shopping as compared to the traditional way of shopping.” said Pawan Gadia, Vice president of FNP, the biggest flower retail chain in India.

Tags:Ferns N Petals, Vikaas Gatgutia, florist retail chain, florist franchise, heroites, pawan gadia, Franchise Management, Franchise Operations, flower franchise, floral franchise

Source:Financial Express

This Blog/Information/News Item/Press Release has been posted by Sparkleminds, A Franchise Consulting Company Based at Bangalore,India, Offering Complete Franchise Solutions Nationally and Internationally for more than a decade now.Visit www.sparkleminds.com for more details.