Global Real Estate Franchise Celebrates Success
Denver, CO – Feb. 4, 2010 – RE/MAX International, Inc., celebrated Founders Day on Jan. 30th - the day in 1973 that Dave and Gail Liniger co-founded the now international franchise real estate network - with marked appreciation for the road traveled in 2009. While the U.S. housing market struggled most of last year, RE/MAX sold 630 new franchises and launched in seven new countries, expanding its global footprint to more than 75 countries.
“We couldn?t be more proud of nearly four decades of accomplishments, and we?re just as proud of the success we saw in 2009,” said Margaret Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of RE/MAX International, who made several appearances on national television throughout the year as spokesperson for the industry. “The entire RE/MAX network went to work last year to help homeowners and homebuyers navigate some pretty difficult waters. RE/MAX agents committed themselves to education and training that gave them the expertise to deal with distressed properties, training that put them a step ahead of the competition.”
While RE/MAX agents were training in Short Sales and foreclosures, RE/MAX executives worked with policy makers in Washington to promote the extension/expansion of the Homebuyer Tax Credit and Short Sale reforms that analysts believe could fuel a stronger market rebound.
“As the most recognized name in real estate, RE/MAX is seen as an influential industry leader and consumers rely upon our agents as trusted advisors,” said Kelly.
For its success, RE/MAX International was recognized as the No. 1 real estate franchise in the 2009 Franchise Times Top 200, and was ranked in three separate categories in the Entrepreneur
magazine “Franchise 500 Survey,” which has designated RE/MAX as the top real estate franchise for nine of the past 11 years.
RE/MAX marked other major milestones and successes:
* RE/MAX leads the industry with more than 58% of all Certified Distressed Property Experts (CDPE) in the U.S., certifying 10,000 RE/MAX agents in just nine months.
* RE/MAX launched a redesigned, more comprehensive version of its popular remax.com, which remains the most visited real estate franchise Web site.
* RE/MAX LeadStreet has connected seven million online consumers to RE/MAX agents.
* RE/MAX dominated national TV advertising, with a campaign that included the popular “straight-talk” commercials, featuring CEO Margaret Kelly, and reaching more viewers than all competitor ads combined. A new “straight-talk” series debuted this month.
* RE/MAX was again recognized as a Top Military Spouse Friendly Employer by Military Spouse Magazine and was also named by G.I. Jobs magazine as a “Top 100 Military Friendly Employer” and a “Top Military Friendly Franchise.”
* RE/MAX University registered over 10,000 Associates for comprehensive educational programming offered in 2009 – an impressive „first? for the award-winning RE/MAX training and education platform.
* Despite the recession, RE/MAX continued local charitable efforts and fundraising through the company?s national sponsorship of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® program and Children?s Miracle Network. RE/MAX offices and agents are closing in on the $100 million lifetime donor mark for Children?s Miracle Network, making RE/MAX one of only two organizations to ever reach such a milestone.
RE/MAX is ushering in 2010 with added momentum and will celebrate this year?s accomplishments with thousands of its agents from around the world at the 2010 RE/MAX International Convention in Orlando, Feb. 28 – March 3.
With expanded, internationally honored education, advanced technology and top-producing agents around the globe, RE/MAX is positioned for another record-setting year with much hope for a steady housing recovery.
About REMAX International, Inc.
RE/MAX was founded in 1973 by Dave and Gail Liniger. From a single office in Denver, Colorado, it has grown into a global network of nearly 100,000 Sales Associates in more than 75 countries, an international presence greater than any of its competitors. Nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX.
RE/MAX has been honored as the top real estate franchise in “The 2009 Franchise Times Top 200,” and has held the No. 1 position for 9 of the last 11 years in “The Franchise 500 Survey,” published by Entrepreneur magazine.
Today, all U.S. home listings in thousands of cities and towns can be found at www.remax.com, the most visited real estate franchise Web site. (ComScore, Jan.-Dec. 2009; Compete.com, Feb. 2008-Dec.2009; Hitwise, Jan.-Nov. 2009)
RE/MAX International is proud of its Premier Community Citizenship, which has raised over $100 million for deserving organizations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, Children?s Miracle Network and The Sentinels of Freedom Foundation.
Showing posts with label top franchises. Show all posts
Showing posts with label top franchises. Show all posts
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
The India Franchise Business Synopsis: A Perspective To Franchising In India
Abstract:
Quoting from Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, it can be said that ‘every Individual is an entrepreneur’, but it is evident that the degree of one being an entrepreneur varies. This is because people thinks, interprets and practices ‘entrepreneurship’ differently and that is why it is rightly said that there are many ‘models’ for Entrepreneurship. Even in today’s modern business place, the idea of getting associated with entrepreneurial activity as a part time business (read finding side income source) is also catching. With these background, when people explored ‘options’ for entrepreneurship, franchising as a route towards entrepreneurship comes in a profound manner because this is considered as an entrepreneurial business option with lesser Investment and risk. Moreover, the events like phenomenal retail boom in India, entry of various international brands in Indian market, increasing number of people with substantial invest-able funds and importantly recognizing the idea of ‘own boss’ give further boost to the ‘Franchising route to Entrepreneurship’. Still, as study says Franchising’ in India as business contribution is still in a nascent stage, it is also true that franchising as an entrepreneurial practice still not much explored and practiced in India. This paper try to put some light on the same line and also put effort to understand associate issues with franchising system in India and how entrepreneurs can exploit Franchising as a viable business option.
***************************************************
Introduction:
The understanding of entrepreneurship seems to be very interesting because different people think, interpret and practice entrepreneurship in different manners. So the issue ‘what is entrepreneurship or who is an entrepreneur’ has become less relevant, rather ‘what makes entrepreneurs entrepreneurial’ become very purposeful to the entrepreneurship researchers. This issue is addressed by D. Sarasvathy in one of his Harvard Business Review submission as, ‘Entrepreneurs are entrepreneurial, as differentiated from managerial or strategic, because they think effectively; they believe in a yet-to-be made future that can be substantially be shaped by human action’. Traditional start up’s, intrapreneurship or social entrepreneurship what ever may the route the driving mantra for an entrepreneur remain same. Today, encouraged by the same mantra – effective thinking and a yet-to-be made future, people find new routes to experience entrepreneurship. Changing mindset and positive entrepreneurial environment give birth of the new models of ‘entrepreneurial journey’, which are very much relevant and prevalent in the society.
In his article ‘The many models of entrepreneurship’, entrepreneurship thinker Mohan Babu manifested the same and came up with such relevant and prevalent models of entrepreneurship. According to him, the followings are the new ‘entrepreneurship models’ that has emerged in the society.
Consultant model: Mostly common among academicians, corporate executives, IT
Professionals – who have niche domain expertise and gain a ‘brand’ name while working. They find it convenient and lucrative to start consultations using the industry contacts and domain expertise, after retiring from their regular job.
Moonlighting model: This model is common among those who want to practice
Entrepreneurship ‘part-time’ without involving full-time. For example, doctors working for hospitals or clinics as a ‘visiting consultant’. Some professionals take the public speaking or column writing in the same fashion.
Brilliant Idea model: Professionals and other workings may have a “million dollar idea” that has altogether different perspective from the same every day idea. Many times, these people take their new/ innovative idea to the employer with a suggestion to implement it on the job. Sometimes, when the management does not take up the ideas, they adopt the entrepreneurial route if they have strong believed/ faith about it.
Existing business/Franchise model: Sometimes, individuals who do not want to continue in the corporate world decide to start their own venture in a domain they are comfortable. Such ventures may take the form of small businesses or franchises. In the franchise model, the aspiring entrepreneur approaches a corporation (franchisor) and takes on the responsibility of running his business using the brand and marketing support from the enterprise. Though Babu does not mention it, it is also seen that people with surplus capital like to invest to take a franchisee ownership along with an existing job or after retiring a full service life. Now this Franchise model as an entrepreneurial route is extremely interesting because of its certain characteristics like – flexibility of involvement (part time/ full time) as an entrepreneur, unrestricted domain choice irrespective of expertise and significant high success rate compared to start ups. As a result, ‘franchising route to entrepreneurship’ is considered as a highly attractive entrepreneurial proposition and proving its potentiality (if already not proved! at least In India) amongst the entrepreneurs. Hence from an entrepreneur point of view, it become extremely important to understand the franchising system, associate issues with it and to know how they can exploit Franchising as a viable business option.
Understanding Franchising:
Franchising happen when some enterprise develops a proven concept and then transfers the trademark and business know-how to an entrepreneur, termed franchisee. The franchisee usually gets the right for a specific time period and in a specific geographic area for a one time franchisee fee and loyalty. The enterprise, which develops the business concept, is termed as franchisor. The franchisor provides different systems and supports to the franchisee.
Hence in technical terms, franchising is neither an industry nor a business, rather franchising is a method of doing business within a given industry. It is a business partnership and like all business partnerships it involves two parties, the franchisor and the franchisee. The franchisor provides the know-how, training, system and the brand, whereas the franchisee forms the front end and is responsible for managing his business unit. Technically, the ‘Franchising contract’ binds the two parties is the system.
Figure 1: Franchising System and Support Services Model
A Win – Win Proposition:
The most interesting part of franchising system is its win – win propositions between the two parties – franchisors and franchisee. Both the parties engaged in the ‘deal’ can reap substantial benefit from the franchising system. It is said that, a franchisor gets three fold benefits from franchising. Firstly, franchising acts as a distribution model for the franchisor, which helps them to growth rapidly. Secondly, it reduces the set up risk as risk is shared by the franchisee members and thirdly, franchising ultimately.
Helps in brand building and acts as a consumer interface amongst the populace.
Franchising help franchisors to have –
o Greater access to capital
o Better utilization of operating cost
o Presence rapidly both in known and less unknown market places
On the other hand, franchisee also enjoys benefits from franchising. In most of the cases,
Entrepreneurs have limitations in terms of capital, business know-how and have to deal with certain degree of risk. But franchising helps an entrepreneur (franchisee owner) in various aspects like –
o Get an association with an already known trade mark or service mark.
o Lesser investment and degree of risk
o Shorter learning curve
o Economies of scale
o Business System and operation support
o Advertising and promotional support
o Recruitment and training (of the employee) support, etc.
Most common form of Franchising Systems:
Master Franchising System: In master franchising the franchiser grants rights for a particular area to the master franchise for a front-end master franchisee fee. The master franchiser takes the responsibility for appointing further individual franchisees within that area. McDonald's, TGIF, Pizza Hut etc. have adopted this system in India.
Area Development Franchising System: In an area development agreement, the franchiser grants development rights of a particular area to the franchisee in turn for a front-end development fee. The franchisee on his part is responsible for developing a certain number of units within a given period of time. Excel InfoTech EIIT has adopted this unique mode of franchising.
Exclusive Showrooms: In an exclusive showroom the company or the franchiser grants
Exclusive showroom rights to the franchisee with the condition that the franchisee shall stock only his brand of products. The franchisee profits by being given stocks at lesser price than other retail outlets. This system is widely followed by brands like Raymond's, Allen Solly, and ColorPlus.
Successful entrepreneurship through Franchising:
Though India is considered as a country of entrepreneurship, it hardly ever witnessed entrepreneurship at a mass level in any of the form. Franchising also is not an exception for that and the reasons are specific of its context. It was limited to the few people with better ‘information and capital’, and was never able to attract the mass level of the society. But with the course of time the scenario has changed and has accepted by mass level (specially middle, lower middle class) at a much greater extent. People, who are not from very high business background come forward, opt franchising and found it effective. Many people made their best possible future from out of that. The simple proposition of ‘franchising’ and its uniqueness of business proposition play the crucial role and made possible for a mass level of entrepreneurship, yet not complete but just the beginning, thanks to franchising!
On a macro level, the greatest benefit of a ‘franchise system’ is that a large numbers of entrepreneurs in the form of franchisee owners work together to achieve a common goal. The franchisee is a dedicated entrepreneur and not a salaried employee, thus he/she is more likely to show greater commitment dedication, interest and involvement. They are they are intelligent enough to understand as they are working with a tried tested and proven business concept; the chances of failure of the venture reduce significantly.
Reasons that boost the idea of ‘Franchising route to entrepreneurship’:
The following are the primary and major reasons that boost up the idea of ‘Franchising route to entrepreneurship’.
Lesser investment and risk factor:
In franchising the initial investment and risk associated with it is much compared to a start ups. In most of the cases, ordinary start-ups face problem of huge investment, evaluating an opportunity and lack experience about the business know how. Thus they carry a huge risk. While in case of franchising the initial investment is generally lesser, in fact, the investment can be ‘chosen’ by the entrepreneur as per his/ her financial resource is available. Not only that, risk factor also significantly come down as the entrepreneur (owner of the franchisee) get the tested business concept, marketing and sales support, staining and staffing support, other consulting support. These facts actually encourage the people to become an entrepreneur by taking a franchisee ownership.
Proven track record and less failure rate:
Study says, 90% of start-ups fail in the first year itself and those survive, 90% of them fail in the next two years. On the contrary, for a franchised business, the result is completely opposite. In franchised business over 90% ventures are successful. This high success rate usually attracts entrepreneurs, with no experience but with a surplus capital and a will to succeed, to move towards franchising.
‘Wide range of options’ in franchising business:
Franchising as an entrepreneurial option is extremely flexible in nature. Franchising, by its nature and the way it operates in the market offers a wide range of ‘alternatives’ to the Entrepreneur. The entrepreneur can decide his/ her business as per his expertise, interest and resources.
The idea of such ‘alternatives/ options’ comes from different aspects.
o Options for choosing a sector: e.g.: food, education, clothing etc.
o Options for selecting a ‘franchisor brand’ from the chosen sector
o Options for engagement in business: Full time – part time; main business – side business
o Options for ‘investment’: Ranging from thousands to Crores. \
Increase in personal / household invest-able capital:
In the new economy, Indian individuals and households have more surplus capital because of better job opportunity and multiple earning members. And interestingly, unlike earlier, people, become more open to invest their surplus capital for a better return. They look for means of investment and find investment in the form of a franchised business is a better and smarter way to utilize the surplus capital. Again, they realize that the investment in franchised business is somewhat more ‘controllable’ and return are convincing. These help individual/ households to take decision in favour of a franchised business.
Recognizing and believing the idea of ‘own boss’:
These days people became more future conscious and look for job flexibility and freedom. They are now recognizing and believing the idea of ‘own boss’ and became more open to be an entrepreneur. And in many cases, realizing their lack of entrepreneurial experience and resources they decide to have a franchisee ownership and cherish the experience of running own business. This idea is gaining popularity in a rapid way. Depending on cases, they prefer to carry the franchised business either from home or from an outside location. Even the retired individual, housewife community also found this business proposition very convenient and shown keen interest about it.
Again, there are few factors, which play indirect role in emergence of franchised business. These factors can be categorized as - recent retail boom in India, entry of various international brands in Indian market, rapid growth of Indian economy, huge and fast growing consuming class, entrepreneurship revolution etc.
Franchising take in India:
In India, the concept of franchising started around seventies but didn’t get much acceptance till nineties. Traditionally it was limited to few sectors like IT training, clothing and footwear sector etc. Today in India, the acceptability for franchising system is much stronger, which helps franchising in India to touch a new height. It has forayed into all industries from Food and Fuel to health and travel. The franchising trend in India includes – domination of service sector, growth in retail franchising, introduction of many master franchisees by international franchisors etc. Today franchising spread across the country, providing immense opportunity to the entrepreneurs.
Franchising: Facts and figures in India:
There are more than 1200 active franchising systems currently operating in the country which are spread across the different sectors.
More than 50000 franchisees (across the sectors) are involved in the system.
The annual turnover achieved by franchise business in India touches Rs. 12,000 –
13,500 Crores approximately.
The total investment (annually) made by the franchisees is over Rs. 7,000 Crores and
Rapidly growing at the rate of 25-29%.
More than 650,000 people are directly employed by franchised business.
Around 180 foreign franchisors are already existing and operational in India and many are more coming or planning to come shortly.
Variety of franchising formats (retail franchising– non retail franchising / pure
Franchising – management contract franchising – hybrid franchising) are practiced across the sectors.
But even after having these encouraging facts and figures it can be said that, Indian franchising still remains in the nascent stage if compared with the global scenario. The concept of franchising is widely accepted and practiced globally, specially in USA and Western Europe supported by well-structured law, infrastructure and strong business framework.
In US, $1 trillion is estimated as annual sales from franchised outlets where 50 % retail trade is done through franchised outlets only. US franchisors often use franchising mode as a strategy for global expansion.
Franchising across the sectors:
As proven a mode of faster growth option of the business, franchising is found in almost all major sectors. Though, depending on the nature and practice of the sector, some sectors had already started experiencing the franchising revolution while in some sectors it is yet to start. Involvement of various foreign players also plays a key role in this issue. The major sectors which consider ‘franchising’ as a strategic growth vehicle includes beauty salons and supplies, business services, clothing, education & training, food & beverage, retail, travel etc.
Franchising: Different modes:
In practice franchising is found in different modes. Across the sectors, franchise systems offer varying types of units or programs of single type or in combination of more than one. Though the majority of franchise systems come in the form of stand-alone or in-line store, several other mode are also available includes, kiosk, satellite, express etc.
Broadly the major categories are as follows:
o Standard - a stand-alone or in-line store location
o Cart/Kiosk - non-fixed units, generally in malls or other captive market locations
o Express - smaller units, typically with limited services
o Home Office - franchisees may work out their homes
o Institutional Location - based in hospitals, military bases, schools, etc.
o Satellite - unit operates as a satellite or branch office of the system
o Vehicle/Mobile - units that are based out of a vehicle
o Other - a variety of unit-types
Different modes of Franchised Business in India
Source: Annual report by Franchise Association of India
Number of outlets:
The distribution of no of franchisees having by different franchisors is also very interesting. In India, it shows that almost 7% franchisors have more than 500 franchisees (each), which is very convincing figure for a relatively nascent concept.
Analysis of Franchising System:
When franchising is recognized as a viable entrepreneurial option, it becomes extremely important for an entrepreneur to know the technical and operational know-how of it. Typically many issues are associated with any franchise business – ranging from legal contract, financial deals, support system and delivery, relation between the franchisor and franchisee and many others. In US franchise mechanism is quite structured but in India it is not very much structured. As a result, ineffective and inefficient franchise mechanism often causes undesirable consequences for both the parties.
Most of the time franchisees become the ‘sufferer’ because of unstructured franchising mechanism and lack of prior business experience. The major challenge that is faced by Franchisee is the high financial obligations in the form of initial franchise fees, different other permits and insurance, marketing – training – consulting fees, royalty etc. set by the franchisors. Sometime, even after paying all those ‘fees’, control of the conduct of the business remain reserved by the franchisors. Last but not the least, termination or renewal of a franchise contract is often become hazards for the franchisee as franchisors deliberately create many complicacies in the whole process.
Franchisors are also not in the ‘safer’ side all the time. They also face several challenges because of the unstructured franchising mechanism and lack of professional commitment from the franchisee. In most of time ‘challenges’ come in the form of irregularity of payment of advertising – expert consulting and even royalty by the committed time. Resignation of a successful franchisee or clash between two franchisees also results disruption of the franchising distribution in the distribution system laid by the franchisors. Sometime franchisees do involve in different malpractices like providing misleading or misusing information, which badly affect the franchisors in their decision-making.
CSF for a franchising system:
Like all the sectors, franchising sector also has ‘critical success factors’ of its own kind.
Sparkleminds a leading consulting firm in franchising in India conducted a research on the same line and identified such few critical success factors (CSR).
The result of the research is shown in the table below.
Ranking Critical Success Factor
1 A well-established business network
2 Constant new product development
3 Innovative products/ services
4 Quality of franchisees
5 Transparencies
6 Return on investment to franchisees
Table 1: Critical Success Factor for Franchise Business
Source: Annual survey of the Indian Franchise Sector, conducted by Sparkleminds Franchise Catalysts India
Again, in practice it is often found that there is andidea mismatch’ between the franchisor and franchisee causing dispute, conflict and ultimately termination of the contract. To find the ‘reasons behind it’ the same franchise consulting firm conducted one research and identified the most common causes of frictions between the franchisors and franchisee.
The result of the research is shown in the table below.
Ranking Causes of Friction
1 Transparency
2 Training and Support
3 Revenue Sharing
4 Product/ Service Deliveries
Table 2: Most common causes of friction between the franchisee and franchisor
Source: Annual survey of the Indian Franchise Sector, conducted by Sparkleminds Franchise Catalysts
Future of Franchising in India:
India is always considered as a hub for entrepreneurial pool and it is quite interesting to observe that the traditional business acumen among the entrepreneurs has made a shift towards understanding and adopting business in a more scientific manner. And when it comes to science and systems of business, franchised business as a sector is evolving and thriving. Indian business environment is gradually experiencing the changes and now the concept and essence of franchising is permeating into the Indian entrepreneurial mind.
In the past one-decade International franchise brands like Pizza Hut, Mc Donald's, Gold's Gym, Kodak, Subway, Holiday Inn and many others understood the potential of Indian market and enter in the Indian market. Thanks to these brands today international franchising in India is one of the most exciting areas in the franchise industry. Indian brands also do not stay much back from their international counterparts. They are also taking the franchising pathway to success and made significant growth in areas like retail, education, beauty etc. Many new age Indian entrepreneurs has realized the scope of growth in franchising and thus many entrepreneurs already adopted the franchising route to entrepreneurship and many are in different phases of adopting. For these entrepreneurs becoming a national or International franchise seems much easier, safer and profitable than struggling for brand identity while running a small enterprise of their own.
The vast geographical expanse, diverse culture, powerful and growing economy, huge and fast growing consuming class, shifting focus on services from agriculture and manufacturing and acceptance of western concepts by Indian masses, provide excellent franchised business opportunities in India. Again, introduction and penetration of new technologies has added new dimensions in franchising. All these market conditions combined with the low rate of franchise failure and significant return on investment has made a bright future for franchising. It is predicted that in the coming future franchising industry will attain very high growth records. The industry has not yet touched its zenith. Till now only major cities in India has witnessed the growth of Indian Franchising, however as the Indian economy is witnessing new dimensions, more than 30 tier I and 100 tier II cities (towns) of the Indian sub continent is expected to emerge as new markets for franchised business. Both the consumers and entrepreneurs of these small cities now feel the thriving pulse of franchising and are ready to welcome the new shift in the trade and business. Also as the major cities are now on the verge of saturation, best of the brands and corporate companies are finding these small cities as their next hot destination.
Still among all these golden aspects, there are few grey areas as per Indian franchising is concern. The major concern is lack of regularity framework for franchise business. Lack of clear and specific franchising law often results ‘confusion’ in case of any legal dispute between the franchisor and franchisee. Not only that, Indian franchising sector does not have any solid financing mechanism in practice. Even, the skewed real estate market often poses as a threat to the growth of franchising in India.
Conclusion:
The growth of franchising in India is inevitable, because of its unique style of business proposition and presence of several other factors acting as ‘positive’ role concurrently. Entrepreneurs realize this fact and look forward to gain the best from this business option. As a result, the acceptability of ‘franchising’ as a business option has increased. Now people show keen interest in ‘franchising matters’. For them, it is a much flexible business options in terms of - choice of sector, franchisors-, degree of engagement (full time / part time) and even in the amount of investment.
Franchising system has a great impact on the society also. It creates a synergy in the society and unveils a unique kind of win – win – win proposition. The Franchisor wins by having a presence, whereas the franchisee wins by owning a profitable business and the society wins at large by emergence of numerous entrepreneurs and having superior products and services.
Annexure:Franchise List/ Franchise Directory / Franchise Brands
(A) Few upcoming strong Franchisor brands in India:Top Franchises
Business Vertical
Brands (Franchisors)
Beauty Salons & Supplies
Body Spa,
Naturals,
Fitness One India Ltd.,
Shahnaz Husain Group
Business Services
Eureka Forbes Ltd
Clothing
Blackberry,
Peter England,
Raymonds,
Fashion,
Reid & Taylor,
Hakoba Lifestyle LTD,
Design Institute
JDTI
Education & Training
NIIT
APTECH
Veta
British Academy,
Cadd Center,
Career forum
IMS
Florist
Ferns N Petals,
Florista
Food & Beverages
Baskin Robbins,
Swirls
Café Coffee Day
Yo China,
Gift & Greetings
Archies
Presto
Health & Aids Services
Proline Fitness,
Golds Gym
Vaidya Sane Ayurveda Clinic,
Fortis Health World Ltd,
Guardian Pharmacy,
Retail
Asmi,
Refeel
Bally Fabs,
Cartridge World,
Castrol Bike Zone,
Crossword,
D’damas,
Featherlite,
Marshalls,
Nilgiris
School (Play / Nursery)
Eurokids
ABC Montessori,
Bachpan
Fasttrack kids
Kidzee
Travel
Travel Tours,
Prime Travels,
Travel Port,
Via,
Arzoo
Cox and Kings
Properties
Remax
Source:
Manas Garai
Quoting from Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, it can be said that ‘every Individual is an entrepreneur’, but it is evident that the degree of one being an entrepreneur varies. This is because people thinks, interprets and practices ‘entrepreneurship’ differently and that is why it is rightly said that there are many ‘models’ for Entrepreneurship. Even in today’s modern business place, the idea of getting associated with entrepreneurial activity as a part time business (read finding side income source) is also catching. With these background, when people explored ‘options’ for entrepreneurship, franchising as a route towards entrepreneurship comes in a profound manner because this is considered as an entrepreneurial business option with lesser Investment and risk. Moreover, the events like phenomenal retail boom in India, entry of various international brands in Indian market, increasing number of people with substantial invest-able funds and importantly recognizing the idea of ‘own boss’ give further boost to the ‘Franchising route to Entrepreneurship’. Still, as study says Franchising’ in India as business contribution is still in a nascent stage, it is also true that franchising as an entrepreneurial practice still not much explored and practiced in India. This paper try to put some light on the same line and also put effort to understand associate issues with franchising system in India and how entrepreneurs can exploit Franchising as a viable business option.
***************************************************
Introduction:
The understanding of entrepreneurship seems to be very interesting because different people think, interpret and practice entrepreneurship in different manners. So the issue ‘what is entrepreneurship or who is an entrepreneur’ has become less relevant, rather ‘what makes entrepreneurs entrepreneurial’ become very purposeful to the entrepreneurship researchers. This issue is addressed by D. Sarasvathy in one of his Harvard Business Review submission as, ‘Entrepreneurs are entrepreneurial, as differentiated from managerial or strategic, because they think effectively; they believe in a yet-to-be made future that can be substantially be shaped by human action’. Traditional start up’s, intrapreneurship or social entrepreneurship what ever may the route the driving mantra for an entrepreneur remain same. Today, encouraged by the same mantra – effective thinking and a yet-to-be made future, people find new routes to experience entrepreneurship. Changing mindset and positive entrepreneurial environment give birth of the new models of ‘entrepreneurial journey’, which are very much relevant and prevalent in the society.
In his article ‘The many models of entrepreneurship’, entrepreneurship thinker Mohan Babu manifested the same and came up with such relevant and prevalent models of entrepreneurship. According to him, the followings are the new ‘entrepreneurship models’ that has emerged in the society.
Consultant model: Mostly common among academicians, corporate executives, IT
Professionals – who have niche domain expertise and gain a ‘brand’ name while working. They find it convenient and lucrative to start consultations using the industry contacts and domain expertise, after retiring from their regular job.
Moonlighting model: This model is common among those who want to practice
Entrepreneurship ‘part-time’ without involving full-time. For example, doctors working for hospitals or clinics as a ‘visiting consultant’. Some professionals take the public speaking or column writing in the same fashion.
Brilliant Idea model: Professionals and other workings may have a “million dollar idea” that has altogether different perspective from the same every day idea. Many times, these people take their new/ innovative idea to the employer with a suggestion to implement it on the job. Sometimes, when the management does not take up the ideas, they adopt the entrepreneurial route if they have strong believed/ faith about it.
Existing business/Franchise model: Sometimes, individuals who do not want to continue in the corporate world decide to start their own venture in a domain they are comfortable. Such ventures may take the form of small businesses or franchises. In the franchise model, the aspiring entrepreneur approaches a corporation (franchisor) and takes on the responsibility of running his business using the brand and marketing support from the enterprise. Though Babu does not mention it, it is also seen that people with surplus capital like to invest to take a franchisee ownership along with an existing job or after retiring a full service life. Now this Franchise model as an entrepreneurial route is extremely interesting because of its certain characteristics like – flexibility of involvement (part time/ full time) as an entrepreneur, unrestricted domain choice irrespective of expertise and significant high success rate compared to start ups. As a result, ‘franchising route to entrepreneurship’ is considered as a highly attractive entrepreneurial proposition and proving its potentiality (if already not proved! at least In India) amongst the entrepreneurs. Hence from an entrepreneur point of view, it become extremely important to understand the franchising system, associate issues with it and to know how they can exploit Franchising as a viable business option.
Understanding Franchising:
Franchising happen when some enterprise develops a proven concept and then transfers the trademark and business know-how to an entrepreneur, termed franchisee. The franchisee usually gets the right for a specific time period and in a specific geographic area for a one time franchisee fee and loyalty. The enterprise, which develops the business concept, is termed as franchisor. The franchisor provides different systems and supports to the franchisee.
Hence in technical terms, franchising is neither an industry nor a business, rather franchising is a method of doing business within a given industry. It is a business partnership and like all business partnerships it involves two parties, the franchisor and the franchisee. The franchisor provides the know-how, training, system and the brand, whereas the franchisee forms the front end and is responsible for managing his business unit. Technically, the ‘Franchising contract’ binds the two parties is the system.
Figure 1: Franchising System and Support Services Model
A Win – Win Proposition:
The most interesting part of franchising system is its win – win propositions between the two parties – franchisors and franchisee. Both the parties engaged in the ‘deal’ can reap substantial benefit from the franchising system. It is said that, a franchisor gets three fold benefits from franchising. Firstly, franchising acts as a distribution model for the franchisor, which helps them to growth rapidly. Secondly, it reduces the set up risk as risk is shared by the franchisee members and thirdly, franchising ultimately.
Helps in brand building and acts as a consumer interface amongst the populace.
Franchising help franchisors to have –
o Greater access to capital
o Better utilization of operating cost
o Presence rapidly both in known and less unknown market places
On the other hand, franchisee also enjoys benefits from franchising. In most of the cases,
Entrepreneurs have limitations in terms of capital, business know-how and have to deal with certain degree of risk. But franchising helps an entrepreneur (franchisee owner) in various aspects like –
o Get an association with an already known trade mark or service mark.
o Lesser investment and degree of risk
o Shorter learning curve
o Economies of scale
o Business System and operation support
o Advertising and promotional support
o Recruitment and training (of the employee) support, etc.
Most common form of Franchising Systems:
Master Franchising System: In master franchising the franchiser grants rights for a particular area to the master franchise for a front-end master franchisee fee. The master franchiser takes the responsibility for appointing further individual franchisees within that area. McDonald's, TGIF, Pizza Hut etc. have adopted this system in India.
Area Development Franchising System: In an area development agreement, the franchiser grants development rights of a particular area to the franchisee in turn for a front-end development fee. The franchisee on his part is responsible for developing a certain number of units within a given period of time. Excel InfoTech EIIT has adopted this unique mode of franchising.
Exclusive Showrooms: In an exclusive showroom the company or the franchiser grants
Exclusive showroom rights to the franchisee with the condition that the franchisee shall stock only his brand of products. The franchisee profits by being given stocks at lesser price than other retail outlets. This system is widely followed by brands like Raymond's, Allen Solly, and ColorPlus.
Successful entrepreneurship through Franchising:
Though India is considered as a country of entrepreneurship, it hardly ever witnessed entrepreneurship at a mass level in any of the form. Franchising also is not an exception for that and the reasons are specific of its context. It was limited to the few people with better ‘information and capital’, and was never able to attract the mass level of the society. But with the course of time the scenario has changed and has accepted by mass level (specially middle, lower middle class) at a much greater extent. People, who are not from very high business background come forward, opt franchising and found it effective. Many people made their best possible future from out of that. The simple proposition of ‘franchising’ and its uniqueness of business proposition play the crucial role and made possible for a mass level of entrepreneurship, yet not complete but just the beginning, thanks to franchising!
On a macro level, the greatest benefit of a ‘franchise system’ is that a large numbers of entrepreneurs in the form of franchisee owners work together to achieve a common goal. The franchisee is a dedicated entrepreneur and not a salaried employee, thus he/she is more likely to show greater commitment dedication, interest and involvement. They are they are intelligent enough to understand as they are working with a tried tested and proven business concept; the chances of failure of the venture reduce significantly.
Reasons that boost the idea of ‘Franchising route to entrepreneurship’:
The following are the primary and major reasons that boost up the idea of ‘Franchising route to entrepreneurship’.
Lesser investment and risk factor:
In franchising the initial investment and risk associated with it is much compared to a start ups. In most of the cases, ordinary start-ups face problem of huge investment, evaluating an opportunity and lack experience about the business know how. Thus they carry a huge risk. While in case of franchising the initial investment is generally lesser, in fact, the investment can be ‘chosen’ by the entrepreneur as per his/ her financial resource is available. Not only that, risk factor also significantly come down as the entrepreneur (owner of the franchisee) get the tested business concept, marketing and sales support, staining and staffing support, other consulting support. These facts actually encourage the people to become an entrepreneur by taking a franchisee ownership.
Proven track record and less failure rate:
Study says, 90% of start-ups fail in the first year itself and those survive, 90% of them fail in the next two years. On the contrary, for a franchised business, the result is completely opposite. In franchised business over 90% ventures are successful. This high success rate usually attracts entrepreneurs, with no experience but with a surplus capital and a will to succeed, to move towards franchising.
‘Wide range of options’ in franchising business:
Franchising as an entrepreneurial option is extremely flexible in nature. Franchising, by its nature and the way it operates in the market offers a wide range of ‘alternatives’ to the Entrepreneur. The entrepreneur can decide his/ her business as per his expertise, interest and resources.
The idea of such ‘alternatives/ options’ comes from different aspects.
o Options for choosing a sector: e.g.: food, education, clothing etc.
o Options for selecting a ‘franchisor brand’ from the chosen sector
o Options for engagement in business: Full time – part time; main business – side business
o Options for ‘investment’: Ranging from thousands to Crores. \
Increase in personal / household invest-able capital:
In the new economy, Indian individuals and households have more surplus capital because of better job opportunity and multiple earning members. And interestingly, unlike earlier, people, become more open to invest their surplus capital for a better return. They look for means of investment and find investment in the form of a franchised business is a better and smarter way to utilize the surplus capital. Again, they realize that the investment in franchised business is somewhat more ‘controllable’ and return are convincing. These help individual/ households to take decision in favour of a franchised business.
Recognizing and believing the idea of ‘own boss’:
These days people became more future conscious and look for job flexibility and freedom. They are now recognizing and believing the idea of ‘own boss’ and became more open to be an entrepreneur. And in many cases, realizing their lack of entrepreneurial experience and resources they decide to have a franchisee ownership and cherish the experience of running own business. This idea is gaining popularity in a rapid way. Depending on cases, they prefer to carry the franchised business either from home or from an outside location. Even the retired individual, housewife community also found this business proposition very convenient and shown keen interest about it.
Again, there are few factors, which play indirect role in emergence of franchised business. These factors can be categorized as - recent retail boom in India, entry of various international brands in Indian market, rapid growth of Indian economy, huge and fast growing consuming class, entrepreneurship revolution etc.
Franchising take in India:
In India, the concept of franchising started around seventies but didn’t get much acceptance till nineties. Traditionally it was limited to few sectors like IT training, clothing and footwear sector etc. Today in India, the acceptability for franchising system is much stronger, which helps franchising in India to touch a new height. It has forayed into all industries from Food and Fuel to health and travel. The franchising trend in India includes – domination of service sector, growth in retail franchising, introduction of many master franchisees by international franchisors etc. Today franchising spread across the country, providing immense opportunity to the entrepreneurs.
Franchising: Facts and figures in India:
There are more than 1200 active franchising systems currently operating in the country which are spread across the different sectors.
More than 50000 franchisees (across the sectors) are involved in the system.
The annual turnover achieved by franchise business in India touches Rs. 12,000 –
13,500 Crores approximately.
The total investment (annually) made by the franchisees is over Rs. 7,000 Crores and
Rapidly growing at the rate of 25-29%.
More than 650,000 people are directly employed by franchised business.
Around 180 foreign franchisors are already existing and operational in India and many are more coming or planning to come shortly.
Variety of franchising formats (retail franchising– non retail franchising / pure
Franchising – management contract franchising – hybrid franchising) are practiced across the sectors.
But even after having these encouraging facts and figures it can be said that, Indian franchising still remains in the nascent stage if compared with the global scenario. The concept of franchising is widely accepted and practiced globally, specially in USA and Western Europe supported by well-structured law, infrastructure and strong business framework.
In US, $1 trillion is estimated as annual sales from franchised outlets where 50 % retail trade is done through franchised outlets only. US franchisors often use franchising mode as a strategy for global expansion.
Franchising across the sectors:
As proven a mode of faster growth option of the business, franchising is found in almost all major sectors. Though, depending on the nature and practice of the sector, some sectors had already started experiencing the franchising revolution while in some sectors it is yet to start. Involvement of various foreign players also plays a key role in this issue. The major sectors which consider ‘franchising’ as a strategic growth vehicle includes beauty salons and supplies, business services, clothing, education & training, food & beverage, retail, travel etc.
Franchising: Different modes:
In practice franchising is found in different modes. Across the sectors, franchise systems offer varying types of units or programs of single type or in combination of more than one. Though the majority of franchise systems come in the form of stand-alone or in-line store, several other mode are also available includes, kiosk, satellite, express etc.
Broadly the major categories are as follows:
o Standard - a stand-alone or in-line store location
o Cart/Kiosk - non-fixed units, generally in malls or other captive market locations
o Express - smaller units, typically with limited services
o Home Office - franchisees may work out their homes
o Institutional Location - based in hospitals, military bases, schools, etc.
o Satellite - unit operates as a satellite or branch office of the system
o Vehicle/Mobile - units that are based out of a vehicle
o Other - a variety of unit-types
Different modes of Franchised Business in India
Source: Annual report by Franchise Association of India
Number of outlets:
The distribution of no of franchisees having by different franchisors is also very interesting. In India, it shows that almost 7% franchisors have more than 500 franchisees (each), which is very convincing figure for a relatively nascent concept.
Analysis of Franchising System:
When franchising is recognized as a viable entrepreneurial option, it becomes extremely important for an entrepreneur to know the technical and operational know-how of it. Typically many issues are associated with any franchise business – ranging from legal contract, financial deals, support system and delivery, relation between the franchisor and franchisee and many others. In US franchise mechanism is quite structured but in India it is not very much structured. As a result, ineffective and inefficient franchise mechanism often causes undesirable consequences for both the parties.
Most of the time franchisees become the ‘sufferer’ because of unstructured franchising mechanism and lack of prior business experience. The major challenge that is faced by Franchisee is the high financial obligations in the form of initial franchise fees, different other permits and insurance, marketing – training – consulting fees, royalty etc. set by the franchisors. Sometime, even after paying all those ‘fees’, control of the conduct of the business remain reserved by the franchisors. Last but not the least, termination or renewal of a franchise contract is often become hazards for the franchisee as franchisors deliberately create many complicacies in the whole process.
Franchisors are also not in the ‘safer’ side all the time. They also face several challenges because of the unstructured franchising mechanism and lack of professional commitment from the franchisee. In most of time ‘challenges’ come in the form of irregularity of payment of advertising – expert consulting and even royalty by the committed time. Resignation of a successful franchisee or clash between two franchisees also results disruption of the franchising distribution in the distribution system laid by the franchisors. Sometime franchisees do involve in different malpractices like providing misleading or misusing information, which badly affect the franchisors in their decision-making.
CSF for a franchising system:
Like all the sectors, franchising sector also has ‘critical success factors’ of its own kind.
Sparkleminds a leading consulting firm in franchising in India conducted a research on the same line and identified such few critical success factors (CSR).
The result of the research is shown in the table below.
Ranking Critical Success Factor
1 A well-established business network
2 Constant new product development
3 Innovative products/ services
4 Quality of franchisees
5 Transparencies
6 Return on investment to franchisees
Table 1: Critical Success Factor for Franchise Business
Source: Annual survey of the Indian Franchise Sector, conducted by Sparkleminds Franchise Catalysts India
Again, in practice it is often found that there is andidea mismatch’ between the franchisor and franchisee causing dispute, conflict and ultimately termination of the contract. To find the ‘reasons behind it’ the same franchise consulting firm conducted one research and identified the most common causes of frictions between the franchisors and franchisee.
The result of the research is shown in the table below.
Ranking Causes of Friction
1 Transparency
2 Training and Support
3 Revenue Sharing
4 Product/ Service Deliveries
Table 2: Most common causes of friction between the franchisee and franchisor
Source: Annual survey of the Indian Franchise Sector, conducted by Sparkleminds Franchise Catalysts
Future of Franchising in India:
India is always considered as a hub for entrepreneurial pool and it is quite interesting to observe that the traditional business acumen among the entrepreneurs has made a shift towards understanding and adopting business in a more scientific manner. And when it comes to science and systems of business, franchised business as a sector is evolving and thriving. Indian business environment is gradually experiencing the changes and now the concept and essence of franchising is permeating into the Indian entrepreneurial mind.
In the past one-decade International franchise brands like Pizza Hut, Mc Donald's, Gold's Gym, Kodak, Subway, Holiday Inn and many others understood the potential of Indian market and enter in the Indian market. Thanks to these brands today international franchising in India is one of the most exciting areas in the franchise industry. Indian brands also do not stay much back from their international counterparts. They are also taking the franchising pathway to success and made significant growth in areas like retail, education, beauty etc. Many new age Indian entrepreneurs has realized the scope of growth in franchising and thus many entrepreneurs already adopted the franchising route to entrepreneurship and many are in different phases of adopting. For these entrepreneurs becoming a national or International franchise seems much easier, safer and profitable than struggling for brand identity while running a small enterprise of their own.
The vast geographical expanse, diverse culture, powerful and growing economy, huge and fast growing consuming class, shifting focus on services from agriculture and manufacturing and acceptance of western concepts by Indian masses, provide excellent franchised business opportunities in India. Again, introduction and penetration of new technologies has added new dimensions in franchising. All these market conditions combined with the low rate of franchise failure and significant return on investment has made a bright future for franchising. It is predicted that in the coming future franchising industry will attain very high growth records. The industry has not yet touched its zenith. Till now only major cities in India has witnessed the growth of Indian Franchising, however as the Indian economy is witnessing new dimensions, more than 30 tier I and 100 tier II cities (towns) of the Indian sub continent is expected to emerge as new markets for franchised business. Both the consumers and entrepreneurs of these small cities now feel the thriving pulse of franchising and are ready to welcome the new shift in the trade and business. Also as the major cities are now on the verge of saturation, best of the brands and corporate companies are finding these small cities as their next hot destination.
Still among all these golden aspects, there are few grey areas as per Indian franchising is concern. The major concern is lack of regularity framework for franchise business. Lack of clear and specific franchising law often results ‘confusion’ in case of any legal dispute between the franchisor and franchisee. Not only that, Indian franchising sector does not have any solid financing mechanism in practice. Even, the skewed real estate market often poses as a threat to the growth of franchising in India.
Conclusion:
The growth of franchising in India is inevitable, because of its unique style of business proposition and presence of several other factors acting as ‘positive’ role concurrently. Entrepreneurs realize this fact and look forward to gain the best from this business option. As a result, the acceptability of ‘franchising’ as a business option has increased. Now people show keen interest in ‘franchising matters’. For them, it is a much flexible business options in terms of - choice of sector, franchisors-, degree of engagement (full time / part time) and even in the amount of investment.
Franchising system has a great impact on the society also. It creates a synergy in the society and unveils a unique kind of win – win – win proposition. The Franchisor wins by having a presence, whereas the franchisee wins by owning a profitable business and the society wins at large by emergence of numerous entrepreneurs and having superior products and services.
Annexure:Franchise List/ Franchise Directory / Franchise Brands
(A) Few upcoming strong Franchisor brands in India:Top Franchises
Business Vertical
Brands (Franchisors)
Beauty Salons & Supplies
Body Spa,
Naturals,
Fitness One India Ltd.,
Shahnaz Husain Group
Business Services
Eureka Forbes Ltd
Clothing
Blackberry,
Peter England,
Raymonds,
Fashion,
Reid & Taylor,
Hakoba Lifestyle LTD,
Design Institute
JDTI
Education & Training
NIIT
APTECH
Veta
British Academy,
Cadd Center,
Career forum
IMS
Florist
Ferns N Petals,
Florista
Food & Beverages
Baskin Robbins,
Swirls
Café Coffee Day
Yo China,
Gift & Greetings
Archies
Presto
Health & Aids Services
Proline Fitness,
Golds Gym
Vaidya Sane Ayurveda Clinic,
Fortis Health World Ltd,
Guardian Pharmacy,
Retail
Asmi,
Refeel
Bally Fabs,
Cartridge World,
Castrol Bike Zone,
Crossword,
D’damas,
Featherlite,
Marshalls,
Nilgiris
School (Play / Nursery)
Eurokids
ABC Montessori,
Bachpan
Fasttrack kids
Kidzee
Travel
Travel Tours,
Prime Travels,
Travel Port,
Via,
Arzoo
Cox and Kings
Properties
Remax
Source:
Manas Garai
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Top 100 Franchise In India: India Franchise Rankings
Maverick Franchise Brands launches India Franchise Rankings 2010
Inaugural India Franchise Rankings, a first of its kind, annual exercise initiated.
Mumbai, India 2nd March 2010: With an aim to encourage and promote best practices in franchising in India, Maverick Franchise Ventures (MFV India) announced the launch of the first-of-its kind 'India Franchise Rankings 2010'- awards to honour the achievements and the entrepreneurial spirit of Indian franchisors. India Franchise Rankings 2010 is an annual exercise aimed at encouraging franchise companies.
Despite there being several initiatives to award franchise brands, none of them have the a clear methodology on the basis of which they are ranked. The current awards gauge franchise recruitment progress and is where number and expansion driven, leaving behind a lot of more important parameters, no. of franchisee locations closed, franchisee profitability and success ratios.
The franchisee - entrepreneur of today complements the core Indian values of respect, freedom and hard work. Franchising shapes the lives of 85,000 Plus Franchisees across India, these franchisee - entrepreneurs transform and mould the franchise system and spreads the same entrepreneurial idea, within their family.
Considering the undividable association of celebration and entrepreneurship, MFV India decided to salute these 'solid gold franchisors' and acknowledge their contribution to the Indian Economy.
Speaking on this occasion, Dhawal Shah, Founder of MFV India said, that, 'We are pleased to launch the inaugural India Franchise Rankings 2010. Today's franchisees and businessmen are always on the lookout for franchise and business opportunities, but are not aware of various companies. With our propreitory index, we have developed a methodology for evaluating and assessing India's leading franchise companies'.
Silvio Zannoni, one of the investors in Maverick Franchise Ventures, on this occasion said that, 'Our Partnership with Way2Franchise.com has been quite successful in helping us launch unique-first initiatives like the India Franchise Rankings, Similar to our online franchise portal in Italy, we will definitely see us increase our market share in India as well.
Since, November 2009, the MFV India Team has been constantly examining franchisors and confidentially surveying franchisees. Participation in the franchisee’s surveys is anonymous; franchisees receive codes for confidentiality. Some of them, that prefer to speak over the telephone are not asked for their identity or location. Here is how we compile this mega-list--the first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking in India. The process began in November 2009, when we asked franchisors to participate in this year's survey. Each submission was vetted before being entered for data analysis, with 164 companies making the first cut. Of those, the top 100 companies made the Franchise 100 ranking, based on franchisee satisfaction and profitability.
Geetanjali Mehlwal, a legal expert and an experienced franchise veteran said that, 'India Franchise Rankings is a much needed initiative that will benefit everyone in the franchise industry in India as well as provide foreign franchisors with a fair idea about the performance of the Indian franchise industry'
All companies, regardless of size, are judged by the same criteria: objective, quantifiable measures of a franchise operation. The most important factors include financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system. We also consider the number of years a company has been in business and the length of time it's been franchising, start-up costs, percentage of terminations, and whether the company provides financing.
All the factors are plugged into our proprietary methodology, with each eligible company receiving a cumulative score. The 100 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the India Franchise 100. Remember that the India Franchise 100 is not intended to endorse, advertise or recommend any particular franchise. It is solely a research tool you can use to compare franchise operations. MFV India stresses that you should always conduct your own independent investigation before investing money in a franchise.
The winners of the inaugural annual India Franchise Rankings 2010 Competition honoring excellence in franchising are:
1 Raymonds
2 Angel
3 Subway
4 Eurokids
5 NIIT
6 Helen O Grady
7 Siyarams
8 Aptech Computer Education
9 Coffee Day Xpress
10 Reliance Money
11 Koutons
12 Career Launcher
13 TIME
14 Motilal Oswal
15 Institute of Management Studies
16 Spykar Jeans
17 Max Mind Abacus
18 Kwality Walls
19 Bachpan Play School
20 Levis
21 ICICI Securities
22 Animaster
23 N Power
24 The Apollo Clinic
25 VETA
26 Jawed Habib Hair Xpreso
27 Podar Happy Kids
28 Golds Gym
29 Cartridge World
30 Easy Bill
31 Sharekhan
32 Suvidha
33 Academy Of Broadcasting
34 Flair English
35 India Infoline
36 Karrox
37 Snap Fitness
38 Srinathjis
39 Way2Wealth
40 Abacus Mental Mathematics Academy
41 US Dollar Store
42 Texas Chicken
43 US Pizza
44 K Lounge
45 Sykes and Ray Equities
46 Fashion and I
47 Sarva Jal
48 The Loot Store
49 VLCC
50 Institute of Computer Accountants
51 English Express
52 Sykes and Ray Equities
53 Remax
54 Go Chaatz
55 iPlayiLearn
56 LJ Hooker
57 Avalon
58 Ace Tours and Travels
59 Clipso beauty School
60 Jumbo King Foods
61 Desk to Desk Couriers (DTDC)
62 Belmonte Apparel (S. Kumars)
63 Animation Traning School (ANTS)
64 Oxford Book Store
65 Zapak Gameplex
66 Time Zone India
67 Frameboxx
68 Castol Bike Zone
69 Tanclean
70 SVK Institute of Management
71 Pizza Corner
72 Re-Feel
73 Jetking Infotrain
74 Ideal Play Abacus (IPA)
75 Comfort Securities
76 Sagar Ratna
77 Sykes and Ray Equities
78 Mahindra First Choice
79 Zee Institute of Creative Arts
80 Russell's Institute of English
81 Geetanjali Group
82 Dandy Collection
83 Adidas
84 Kaati Zone
85 Gini and Jony
86 Kidzee
87 REBI
88 Baskin Robbins
89 Java Green
90 Slice of Italy
91 ABC Montessori
92 Western Union Money Transfer
93 Multi Utility Solutions
94 Appin Knowledge Solutions
95 Talwalkar's Gyms
96 Ventura Securities
97 Reebok
98 Sharkey's Cuts for Kids
99 Tropical Sno
100 Vichare Couriers
Legal Disclaimer:
Before making any commitment, or paying any money, it is essential that prospective buyers make their own careful enquiries, discuss the franchise opportunity with any other franchisees and take appropriate professional advice from an experienced franchise consultant.we ar any of our sponsors or endorsers or related companies will be responsible or liable for losses, costs and expenses, including consequential losses and any failure of business which may result from the use of this information or the use of or reliance on data contained in it.
Inaugural India Franchise Rankings, a first of its kind, annual exercise initiated.
Mumbai, India 2nd March 2010: With an aim to encourage and promote best practices in franchising in India, Maverick Franchise Ventures (MFV India) announced the launch of the first-of-its kind 'India Franchise Rankings 2010'- awards to honour the achievements and the entrepreneurial spirit of Indian franchisors. India Franchise Rankings 2010 is an annual exercise aimed at encouraging franchise companies.
Despite there being several initiatives to award franchise brands, none of them have the a clear methodology on the basis of which they are ranked. The current awards gauge franchise recruitment progress and is where number and expansion driven, leaving behind a lot of more important parameters, no. of franchisee locations closed, franchisee profitability and success ratios.
The franchisee - entrepreneur of today complements the core Indian values of respect, freedom and hard work. Franchising shapes the lives of 85,000 Plus Franchisees across India, these franchisee - entrepreneurs transform and mould the franchise system and spreads the same entrepreneurial idea, within their family.
Considering the undividable association of celebration and entrepreneurship, MFV India decided to salute these 'solid gold franchisors' and acknowledge their contribution to the Indian Economy.
Speaking on this occasion, Dhawal Shah, Founder of MFV India said, that, 'We are pleased to launch the inaugural India Franchise Rankings 2010. Today's franchisees and businessmen are always on the lookout for franchise and business opportunities, but are not aware of various companies. With our propreitory index, we have developed a methodology for evaluating and assessing India's leading franchise companies'.
Silvio Zannoni, one of the investors in Maverick Franchise Ventures, on this occasion said that, 'Our Partnership with Way2Franchise.com has been quite successful in helping us launch unique-first initiatives like the India Franchise Rankings, Similar to our online franchise portal in Italy, we will definitely see us increase our market share in India as well.
Since, November 2009, the MFV India Team has been constantly examining franchisors and confidentially surveying franchisees. Participation in the franchisee’s surveys is anonymous; franchisees receive codes for confidentiality. Some of them, that prefer to speak over the telephone are not asked for their identity or location. Here is how we compile this mega-list--the first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking in India. The process began in November 2009, when we asked franchisors to participate in this year's survey. Each submission was vetted before being entered for data analysis, with 164 companies making the first cut. Of those, the top 100 companies made the Franchise 100 ranking, based on franchisee satisfaction and profitability.
Geetanjali Mehlwal, a legal expert and an experienced franchise veteran said that, 'India Franchise Rankings is a much needed initiative that will benefit everyone in the franchise industry in India as well as provide foreign franchisors with a fair idea about the performance of the Indian franchise industry'
All companies, regardless of size, are judged by the same criteria: objective, quantifiable measures of a franchise operation. The most important factors include financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system. We also consider the number of years a company has been in business and the length of time it's been franchising, start-up costs, percentage of terminations, and whether the company provides financing.
All the factors are plugged into our proprietary methodology, with each eligible company receiving a cumulative score. The 100 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the India Franchise 100. Remember that the India Franchise 100 is not intended to endorse, advertise or recommend any particular franchise. It is solely a research tool you can use to compare franchise operations. MFV India stresses that you should always conduct your own independent investigation before investing money in a franchise.
The winners of the inaugural annual India Franchise Rankings 2010 Competition honoring excellence in franchising are:
1 Raymonds
2 Angel
3 Subway
4 Eurokids
5 NIIT
6 Helen O Grady
7 Siyarams
8 Aptech Computer Education
9 Coffee Day Xpress
10 Reliance Money
11 Koutons
12 Career Launcher
13 TIME
14 Motilal Oswal
15 Institute of Management Studies
16 Spykar Jeans
17 Max Mind Abacus
18 Kwality Walls
19 Bachpan Play School
20 Levis
21 ICICI Securities
22 Animaster
23 N Power
24 The Apollo Clinic
25 VETA
26 Jawed Habib Hair Xpreso
27 Podar Happy Kids
28 Golds Gym
29 Cartridge World
30 Easy Bill
31 Sharekhan
32 Suvidha
33 Academy Of Broadcasting
34 Flair English
35 India Infoline
36 Karrox
37 Snap Fitness
38 Srinathjis
39 Way2Wealth
40 Abacus Mental Mathematics Academy
41 US Dollar Store
42 Texas Chicken
43 US Pizza
44 K Lounge
45 Sykes and Ray Equities
46 Fashion and I
47 Sarva Jal
48 The Loot Store
49 VLCC
50 Institute of Computer Accountants
51 English Express
52 Sykes and Ray Equities
53 Remax
54 Go Chaatz
55 iPlayiLearn
56 LJ Hooker
57 Avalon
58 Ace Tours and Travels
59 Clipso beauty School
60 Jumbo King Foods
61 Desk to Desk Couriers (DTDC)
62 Belmonte Apparel (S. Kumars)
63 Animation Traning School (ANTS)
64 Oxford Book Store
65 Zapak Gameplex
66 Time Zone India
67 Frameboxx
68 Castol Bike Zone
69 Tanclean
70 SVK Institute of Management
71 Pizza Corner
72 Re-Feel
73 Jetking Infotrain
74 Ideal Play Abacus (IPA)
75 Comfort Securities
76 Sagar Ratna
77 Sykes and Ray Equities
78 Mahindra First Choice
79 Zee Institute of Creative Arts
80 Russell's Institute of English
81 Geetanjali Group
82 Dandy Collection
83 Adidas
84 Kaati Zone
85 Gini and Jony
86 Kidzee
87 REBI
88 Baskin Robbins
89 Java Green
90 Slice of Italy
91 ABC Montessori
92 Western Union Money Transfer
93 Multi Utility Solutions
94 Appin Knowledge Solutions
95 Talwalkar's Gyms
96 Ventura Securities
97 Reebok
98 Sharkey's Cuts for Kids
99 Tropical Sno
100 Vichare Couriers
Legal Disclaimer:
Before making any commitment, or paying any money, it is essential that prospective buyers make their own careful enquiries, discuss the franchise opportunity with any other franchisees and take appropriate professional advice from an experienced franchise consultant.we ar any of our sponsors or endorsers or related companies will be responsible or liable for losses, costs and expenses, including consequential losses and any failure of business which may result from the use of this information or the use of or reliance on data contained in it.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Rosebys to Expand Using The Franchise Route
07 December 2009
The UK's largest specialist textiles, lifestyle and home décor retailer Rosebys plans to expand its stores in India and also re-enter the European market which it quit three years ago. However, it will stick to the franchise route rather than own the stores.
Rosebys chief executive Aloke Banerjee told reporters on the sidelines of a textiles conference in New Delhi on Saturfay that the company is targeting a presence across India with stores evenly spread across the metros as well as smaller towns. He said the store would increase its presence from the current 100 stores to 300 by 2011.
Banerjee said that Rosebys India is likely to generate revenues of about Rs100 crore for the current fiscal, and expects annual sales to reach Rs500crore over the next four years aided by its brand-building exercises store additions. "Our biggest cost is on brand building and there will be no let down on that,'' he added.
Rosebys, which sells products such as bed linen and cushions, is poised to benefit from rising demand for home textiles products in India, Banerjee said. He added that the company would leverage its Indian expertise to re-launch in Europe.
Indian conglomerate Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd (GHCL) acquired the UK's Rosebys chain in a $40 million (Rs180 crore) deal in 2006. After the acquisition, the company promptly closed down all 320 stores in the UK.
"After the buyout, the recession hit; and we wanted to restructure the business in the UK. In the meantime we started the India operations. Now we are expanding to Belgium, France, Poland and Romania," Banerjee said. "By the end of this fiscal itself you will see our presence in one or two of those countries.''
The UK's largest specialist textiles, lifestyle and home décor retailer Rosebys plans to expand its stores in India and also re-enter the European market which it quit three years ago. However, it will stick to the franchise route rather than own the stores.
Rosebys chief executive Aloke Banerjee told reporters on the sidelines of a textiles conference in New Delhi on Saturfay that the company is targeting a presence across India with stores evenly spread across the metros as well as smaller towns. He said the store would increase its presence from the current 100 stores to 300 by 2011.
Banerjee said that Rosebys India is likely to generate revenues of about Rs100 crore for the current fiscal, and expects annual sales to reach Rs500crore over the next four years aided by its brand-building exercises store additions. "Our biggest cost is on brand building and there will be no let down on that,'' he added.
Rosebys, which sells products such as bed linen and cushions, is poised to benefit from rising demand for home textiles products in India, Banerjee said. He added that the company would leverage its Indian expertise to re-launch in Europe.
Indian conglomerate Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd (GHCL) acquired the UK's Rosebys chain in a $40 million (Rs180 crore) deal in 2006. After the acquisition, the company promptly closed down all 320 stores in the UK.
"After the buyout, the recession hit; and we wanted to restructure the business in the UK. In the meantime we started the India operations. Now we are expanding to Belgium, France, Poland and Romania," Banerjee said. "By the end of this fiscal itself you will see our presence in one or two of those countries.''
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