The Premier Franchises to Watch in 2019

1. VOLUME -10, ISSUE -4, 2019 The Premier Franchises to Watch in 2019 Dr. Manjula Pooja Shroff MD & CEO, Kalorex Group KALOREX Contemporary Education.Global Attributes. Local Values.

4. Editor-in-Chief Pooja M. Bansal Managing Editor Sneha Sinha Contributing Writer Rahul Niraj Art & Design Head Amol Kamble Associate Designer Poonam Mahajan Art & Picture Editor Savita Pandav Co-designer Sapana Shinde Business Development Manager Megha Mishra Business Development Lead Ashwini Pahurkar Business Development Executive Kajol Karale Technical Specialists Amar, Pratiksha Digital Marketing Manager Prashant Chevale SME-SMO Executives Manoj, Ketki Circulation Manager Tanaji sales@insightssuccess.com October, 2019 Corporate Ofces: Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd. Ofce No. 22 & 510, Rainbow Plaza, Shivar Chowk, Pimple Saudagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411017 Phone - India: +91 7410079881/ 82/ 83/ 84/ 85 Email: info@insightssuccess.in For Subscription: www.insightssuccess.in Insights Success Media Tech LLC 555 Metro Place North, Suite 100, Dublin, OH 43017, United States Phone - (614)-602-1754 Email: info@insightssuccess.com For Subscription: www.insightssuccess.com Cover Price : RS. 150/- https://twitter.com/insightssuccess Follow us on : www.facebook.com/insightssuccess/ Copyright © 2019 Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd., All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd. Reprint rights remain solely with Insights Success. Printed and Published by Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd. RNI NUMBER: MAHENG/2018/75953

5. From the Editor or many, the road to entrepreneurship starts with a F notion alone isn’t enough to start the ride. To transform into reality, one needs a business idea, a plan, finance, infrastructure, people, market research about the target customer and much more. At times, achieving clarity over these points and arranging the how-to gets so overwhelming that many people drop the complete idea and get back to their usual world. However others, who persist, look for options that best-fits their dreams. And many find their answers in Franchising. simple notion, “I want to do something on my own and be my own boss”. While it does get them thinking, the Buying a franchise is often considered easier than starting one’s own business from scratch. But then every coin has two sides. And before finalizing an option, one must go through the pros and cons. A franchise lets an aspiring entrepreneur buy into an existing, successful business model with a proven track record. It also assists the franchisee with a successful training program, gets together a solid supply chain, and provides expert technical support. Some of the best-known franchises in the world have an impressive success rate, with fairly low chances of failure. Kick-Starting Your Entrepreneurial Journey The biggest advantage, as supported by statistics, is that a franchise, being an established one, has lesser chances of failure compared to an independent start-up. It also provides the franchisee with basic know-how on starting the new set-up. In most cases, it provides them with equipment, supplies, trained personnel (at times), and even sets up the new place for them right from furniture to lighting. Franchisees also benefit from the brand value and star power, if any, associated with the franchise. On the downside, adhering to the strict guidelines set up by the franchise can be a bit domineering. Apart from the basic fee, the royalty fee that needs to be paid irrespective of the sales that occur during the fixed period can be a bit inconvenient. Also, at times, the franchisees are not allowed to bring about any change to the set-up or menu in case of restaurants, which might seem to some like stifling ideas. Starting a business—a franchise or an independent venture —is a matter of choice. Those who seek a life different from the usual 9-5, also understand that being an entrepreneur is a 24*7 job. While the franchise offers the initial comfort to the establishment, the business still needs to be run by the franchisee. And that is where their business acumen needs to run and make decisions that ultimately transform their idea of being an entrepreneur into reality. Sneha Sinha

6. Cover Story CONTENTS 10 KALOREX KALOREX Contemporary Education. Global Attributes. Local Values. 36 CXO Standpoint Hotel and Restaurant Franchising in India

7. 18 Birla Open Minds Preparing Today for Tomorrow 22 Kids Cube International Doors to a World of Fun and Learning 24 Maple Bear Delivering Wholesome Education across Boundaries 28 Nasah Petals Engrave Your Special Moments 30 Pebbles Pre-School Focusing on All Facets of a Child's Growth 34 Zee Learn Delivering an Experience called Learning

8. The Premier Franchises to Watch in 2019 The Business of Starting a Business A s per a KPMG and Franchise Association of India (FAI) report, the market size of the Indian franchise industry is currently estimated at $50.4 billion. The industry started with a big-bang in the 1990s with the liberalization and globalization era setting in. The industry insiders claim that India has already made its place as the second-largest franchise market globally. With around 1.5 lakh franchisees and 4,600 franchisers operating in the country, they envision that the industry would grow to at least about USD 140-150 billion in the next five years. If you are looking for a business opportunity and wondering about the franchise aspect, this edition of Insights Success, brings to you, “The Premier Franchises to Watch in 2019 ”. With a well-established name in the market, these franchise are looking out to expand their wings and herein lies the opportunity for those to want to start as entrepreneurs. The Cover Story of this issue features Kalorex Group,a professionally managed autonomous institution, with key focus on K-12 education which believes in empowering children to succeed in all spheres of life. Also featuring in this issue are Birla Open Minds, who have been focussing on transforming education making it more relevant and contemporary, yet rooted in values; Kids Cube International, which works with a vision to shape children’s futures with an all-inclusive approach; Maple Bear, whichfocuses on the social, cognitive and theoretical development of each child under its care; Nasah Petals, a company that creates customised floral and gift packages; Pebbles Preschool, an ISO Certified international standard pre-school founded with an aim to provide the best start in education for children in the age group of 2 to 4 years; and Zee Learn Limited, a leading educational organization from the Essel Group that addresses educational and learning requirements. The issue also highlights the viewpoints of Amit Tejpal, Founder, Tejpal Hospitality, who shares his insight regarding Hotel and Restaurant Franchising in India. We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we did while curating it!

12. Dr. Manjula Pooja Shroff MD & CEO, Kalorex Group

13. Cover Story KALOREX KALOREX Contemporary Education. Global Attributes. Local Values. “ “ We at Kalorex believe in ‘Shaping Glocal Learners’ - combining the elements of Global attributes with Local values.

14. I Takshshila (now in Pakistan) is regarded as the oldest learning centre, the Nalanda University fits the bill of the modern University education system. Scriptures, Vedas, Stupas, are all proof that the ancient Indian Education System was very evolved. ndia and the Education system have a relationship that dates back th to the 8 century BCE. While under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan, as a fundamental right to children between the ages of 6 and 14. Reservation system in the higher education provides an opportunity for the underprivileged to learn at par with the rest of the population. A professionally managed autonomous institution, Kalorex’s key focus, since inception, has been K-12 education. It believes in empowering children to succeed in all spheres of life. With 40 + institutions and growing, Kalorex follows a cradle to career approach- addressing need of all segments of educational domain. Filling the Lacuna The Opportunity Despite all the efforts, there still is a huge gap in the demand and supply situation in education in India. With increasing levels of awareness and a desire to provide the best of educational experiences and all round exposure to their children, the need for establishing quality benchmark K-12 schools & Preschools catering to a holistic and integrated educational approach has increased manifolds. To meet this need, Kalorex Group came into being in 1995. With changing era, colonization and later Independence, the education system in India has seen drastic changes from its ancient, often described as glorious past, to the modern system. The current system consists of public and private schools imparting education at the pre-primary primary and secondary levels. Higher, specialized and multidisciplinary education is imparted via several Government and private colleges. Free and compulsory education is provided The Indian education market is expected to almost double to $180 billion by 2020. The rapid expansion of the digital learning market and the world’s largest population in the age bracket of six to 17 years act as boosting factors. But the sector continues to be plagued by poor infrastructure and a shortage of trained teachers. Currently, in the K-12 segment, there are 1.5 million schools

15. The Premier Franchises to Watch in 2019 “ “ with 260 million students. Of the 1.5 million schools, 1.1 million are run by the government. The additional capacity requirement in the K-12 segment is 40 million and teachers’ requirement is 2 million. The demands for education exists both at the student and employment level with 619 million populations (students) falling in the 0- 24-year age group. change agent for schooling in the state of Gujarat. When she relocated to Ahmedabad after her marriage, she realized that though Ahmedabad had very good schools in the mid 90's, the contemporariness was missing. Her passionate devotion to education gave birth to the first DPS in Gujarat. Her attitude of being ahead of her time and incorporating innovative practices in the teaching process has been instrumental in keeping DPS Ahmedabad’s name a front runner in the education sector. Using technology in the classroom and creating SMART classes has been one of the firsts in the country. From a humble beginning from a rented premise, the school today boasts of a sprawling campus with state of art facilities and grounds. Being an educationist at heart, she is not only hands on in the teaching and learning process, but is also Kalorexians are known for bringing laurels to their country resulting out of a diverse exposure given by the Kalorex institutions and its relentless pursuit for excellence These favorable demographics bring enormous economic opportunities. However, the ability to seize these opportunities depends on how successfully the challenges plaguing the Indian education system can be addressed. An Educational Reformist A visionary, Dr. Manjula Pooja Shroff is regarded by many as the

16. “ “ the development of the best brains time and again over the years. The Alumni of Kalorex are placed at leading corporates, business houses, research and development centers and space and defense institutions across the world.Being a preferred choice for high quality education across all segments of the society, Kalorex is a trusted name amongst parent communities be it for National or International Boards of Education. Schools, Calorx Olive International School, Kalorex preschools in India. Projects like Visamo Kids Foundation for the under – privileged children and Kalorex Prerna for the students having learning difculties are the special initiatives of Kalorex Associating with Kalorex India is transforming into a Knowledge economy. The general level of awareness has increased thereby creating a demand for high quality education like that of any other product or service. With the economy opening, paying capacities have increased, towns are seeing transformation and cities are overflowing. A good school dedicated to the cause of creating empowered citizens will see no barrier in their expansion plans. Kalorex does the same through its franchise opportunity. The objective of Shaping Glocal Learners is embedded into the DNA and ethos of each and every one of the 1300+ employees dedicated to the cause of Kalorex. Dynamism, Humanistic approach, Living in the Gap (Continuous Learning Mode), Ownership, Speed with Accuracy are the beliefs which are practiced by every Kalorexian day in day out. Kalorex wishes to expand to 100 cities across India, through a strong network of Business associates. The 40+ Institutions of Kalorex is a mix of self- owned and investment led partnerships by Investors who wish to make a mark in education under leading brands like Delhi Public Schools, Calorx Public instrumental in connecting to her staff in every possible manner. She lives the Core Values she has set for KALOREX and these percolate in the teams working with her in her various ventures. The prospective Kalorex partner in Education should have a very clear defined vision of providing best quality education through a time tested model of brand mentorship. The Investing Partner should be open to wide spectrum of ideas, innovations and acceptability to follow the best practices in education brought in by the brand.On being associated with Kalorex, it offers an end to end support Brand Kalorex Kalorex is a well-established name in the Education sector, managed by a professional group of edupreneurs. The group is high on culture and values, catering to the entire spectrum of K-12 learners. Technology and Research based pedagogy practiced across all Kalorex institutions have resulted in

17. and five mandatory training & support practices for its partners namely: THE CORE VALUES THAT KALOREX STANDS FOR Training & Development Systems, Process and Procedures KINETIC – Dynamic & Evolving Operational Knowhow ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE – Focus on Academic Achievements Educational Pedagogies and Curriculum LIVING IN THE GAP – Continuous Learning Mode Content & Creative RAISON D’ETRE – Finding reasons for our existence & innovating Staying Ahead with Technology EMPOWERMENT – Decision making and implementation Digital literacy: As a group, Kalorex has not only focused on technology but has also ensured that the students and teachers understand and develop Digital Literacy, as is the need of the hour. The Kalorex Taxonomy emphasizes upon this aspect and inculcates these values through teacher – student workshops, case studies, organizing rallies and awareness drives. Cyber bullying, e-mail etiquettes, social media security, plagiarism, netiquettes, etc. are all addressed through planned programmes conducted in each Kalorex school. THE X – FACTOR – Speed with accuracy NUMBERS THAT MATTER 24 + years | 40 + Institutions | 14 Cities | 12000 + Students | 24 Nationalities | 1300 + Employees CBSE | IB |IGCSE | State Boards | Preschools | K-12 Schools | CSR Projects

18. “ “ Kalorex in its journey to excellence has garnered numerous awards and accolades from esteemed Educational association in India and overseas Bringing Change – One School at a Time Updated Technology: Technology plays a major role in all departments of Kalorex.It has always been a major enabler for learning since the inception of the Group. School portals are designed to track the progress of the curriculum, interactive white boards keep the students and teachers engaged and interested in the teaching – learning activity. Online exchange programmes with International schools also take place to give students a Global learning experience. Platforms like Skype and Hangouts help to facilitate meetings with members at various locations. The in-house Kalorex App helps to connect the parents to the school activities and keeps them updated. The Yali Online Store enables placing orders for books, uniforms or Kalorex merchandise. The administrative machinery is well attuned with the latest technology to keep records and data. GPS tracking systems in the school buses ensure safety of students and helps in updating parents for any delays or re-routings. Kalorex believes in replicating its success formula not only for itself but also for the associate partner. A win- win relationship is very important in education. Thereby Kalorex sees its partners as partners in progress. In the next 5 years, Kalorex envisions to have its presence with over 100 institutions with multiple investment models favouring good returns on investment(ROI) and brand value to its associate partners comparable to the best in the industry. Kalorex has ambitious plans to expand in many more states in the country to target 100 project in the next 5 years in all target segments; Pre- schools, K-12 schools and franchise and management models. Academics: The Kalorex Curriculum Framework, specifically designed for Pre-schools and K-12 schools, encompasses 5 Base Learnings – Activity based, Project based, Lab based, Task based and Building based. With this the focus is also on Language, Media and Digital Literacies. Teachers are trained in using Active Learning Strategies through regular workshops. Class observations and academic audits ensure that teachers engage students in class and prepare challenging tasks for building enquiry.

20. ‘ ‘ ‘‘ ‘ ‘ We focus on providing contemporary and world-class education for Nurturing India’s Tomorrow Mr. Nirvaan Birla Director Birla Open Minds Preparing Today for Tomorrow T up as responsible young citizens. Education thus plays a crucial role in how their minds shape up as they grow. In these formative years, the onus lies on parents and the education sector fraternity to nurture these minds. The preschools are a child’s first social group where they learn what it is like being out there on their own. The image that they carry forward from here stays for a good period of time with them. he future of any society or country depends on how it brings up its tiny tots. The more values we put into them, the better the chances of them growing only provides and encourages people to embrace the educational sector and give back to the society, but also provides them the know-how and tools via dedicated support through each and every aspect, ranging from but not limited to; Infrastructure, IT, Academics, Curriculum, Teacher training along with Marketing and branding to name a few, which further helps them become a true Edupreneur. Brief us about the Founder/CEO and the source of inspiration to be in the industry. The Birla family has had a long association with educational initiatives since the pre-independence era in India, and hence the Chairman, Mr. Yash Birla was keen to ensure this continues and was instrumental in envisioning Birla Open Minds. Under his guidance, Birla Open Minds continuous to give back to the society whilst making it a viable choice for our prospective and existing partners to join the Birla legacy in transforming education. Under the For the last 11 years, Birla Open Minds have been focussing on transforming education making it more relevant and contemporary, yet rooted in values. The following excerpt showcases how they make it happen. Kindly brief us about the company. Birla Open Minds was formed 11 years ago, with the idea to transform education across the country and ensure quality progressive education is available throughout the vast landscape of our country. Keeping in line with the contribution the Birla family has had in education since pre- independence, it was this singular focus which has made the brand reach over 100 schools across 18 states and 60 cities and continues to grow at a good pace. The company not 18 | October 2019 |

21. The Premier Franchises to Watch in 2019 What is the role of your employees behind your company’s success? How do you keep them motivated? Birla Open Minds would not have come to fruition without the employees of the company. It is their tireless approach to the betterment of the educational requirements in todays world that keeps Birla Open Minds motivated to go the extra mile! Each and every employee brings with them fresh ideas and more importantly executional expertise, which is very crucial for any company. Sharing the success of their efforts with them in a transparent manner and ensuring they feel part of the Birla family’s vision for the industry are some of the ways we keep them motivated. leadership of Mr. Nirvaan Birla, the company continues to cross each obstacle in its path with great ease and is looking forward to leaving a lasting footprint in the industry going forward. What are the distinct products and services provided by your company, setting you apart from your competitors? Birla Open Minds had spent the initial half a decade closely monitoring each curriculum and their shortcomings. Post which, our specialised team worked tirelessly to bring out our specially designed curriculum that caters to the needs of children keeping in mind the traditional and progressive aspects that are required in todays day and age. This amalgamation of best practices across boards such as CBSE, ICSE, IB & IGSCE enables smooth transition for children across schools and cities should the need arise and also ensures that not only the student, but the teachers continue learning various new aspects which enable them to ensure that the education being imparted is relevant and fun at the same time. What would be your advice for the budding startups and entrepreneurs in the industry? I would advise them to faulter. Faulter often, as it is that very fault / wrong decision which will ensure that they learn from their experience and build on top of it. Life isn’t easy and businesses certainly aren’t. The economics of any industry today keep evolving and changing overnight and one must have the patience, discipline, intent and drive to overcome any such challenges. If they have a focussed approach to their goal, they will certainly reach there with a beaming smile and the friendship and support of unparalleled co-workers. Academics stands at the core of Birla Open Minds hierarchy, however it is also the “x” factor that Birla Open Minds provides to its franchise partners and stakeholders that plays a critical part in setting us apart from our competitors. The individualised attention from each department be it Operations, IT, Infrastructure, Marketing, HR all individually ensure that a dedicated franchise relationship is maintained and keenly overseen on a regular basis. This enables us to spot any existing or upcoming problem areas and timely rectify the same. What are the key points that you consider while choosing or getting in talks with a new Franchisee? For us, a partner’s vision and their involvement in the project are crucial. There is a stringent KYC process that we follow internally, however the former aspects in our experience have been the critical factor between success and failure of franchisees more often than not. What are the key attributes that helped the company to overcome the challenges in its initial phase? Patience and perseverance would be the key attributes that helped the company to overcome the challenges in its initial phase. In fact, we could say that these two attributes still continue to ensure we meet our goals in a disciplined manner. How does the company leverage technology to keep a tab on its growth and expansion? Technology is key to every business and industry today. We utilise it to reach out to areas where prospective partners are looking for opportunities in the educational industry with a well known and respected brand. It enables us to bring the platform to the partners doorstep. We manage our 100 plus network of schools across india via technology, which play a crucial role in the timely dissemination of information across the Birla Open Minds network. What are the benefits gained by your clients while doing business with you? We do not believe in terming our clients as “clients” and prefer calling them our partners instead. It’s a transparent policy we follow with them, which ensures they always have the option to give us constructive feedback and opinions and visa versa. This benefits both parties and ensures that an incremental upgradation of the system is constant. Our partners gain immense know-how on the operational aspects of the industry and also gain an insight into educational aspects that are available across the world, but for some reason were not on their radar. Brief us about your company’s future perspectives? Birla Open Minds is of course looking to further its presence in the country and even begin its franchise business abroad. In addition to this expansion, we are also venturing into the E-learning space through our separate vertical of Birla Brainiacs, which will be headed by a separate team solely focussed on ensuring a seamless online experience for its users, breaking the barriers for comprehensive online content for all. 19 |October 2019|

24. ‘ ‘ ‘‘ ‘ ‘ At Kids Cube, every child is provided with love and caring environment which gives them an all-round learning experience with fun Kids Cube International Doors to a World of Fun and Learning P monetary investment, the basic security that they provide to their kids is through education. Through proper and effective education, they want the child to grow into a responsible citizen, and build a life of its own. The first step towards formal education comes in the form of pre-schools. When choosing a preschool, parents look for one that provides the right kind of exposure to the practical world. They look for a preschool that can instill self-confidence in the young ones and provide an ambiance that is amicable, secure, caring and feels like a second home to the kids. For parents in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, all these qualities translate into Kids Cube International Preschool. With over sixteen centers in the two states, Kids Cube is providing quality education with a child-friendly atmosphere and passion to shape children’s future with an all-inclusive approach, incorporating holistic methods for children development. Leading the Way C S Mahalakshmi is the Founder of Kids Cube International Preschool. A commerce graduate, she worked with an Auditing firm in the initial stages of her career. She then started working in a preschool as a teacher and then as Centre head. Before starting Kids cube in 2014, she garnered extensive experience in the industry while working in many reputed preschool brands in different positions. As the founder, she also heads the curriculum and training team. arenting is easier said than done. The moment a child steps-in in the parent’s life, they start thinking about securing the child’s future. Apart from She was recently selected as one of the “3 Emerging Women Entrepreneur of Bangalore” by ?e Talk, a thought leadership platform. A firm believer in karma, she says, “I firmly consider the quote, “If You Believe, You Can Do It”. I follow my heart, it gives me a sense of positive direction and fulfillment. It would be a pleasure to motivate and encourage every child in our school to dream and develop that dream to success.” 22 | October 2019 |

25. The Premier Franchises to Watch in 2019 ?e Team Successful Employees Achieve Goals. Team Kids Cube comprises individuals with expertise in early childhood education with a combined experience of more than 30 years. One of the most important factors in a successful business is employees. When people are doing their jobs effectively, morale in the office gets a boost. Kids Cube treats its employees with respect as the first and foremost motivational factor. Regular appreciation and involvement provide strong motivation for them to always do their best to be reliable and effective. Management is keen on showing interest in employees’ lives, and building a relationship with them helps to build understanding, loyalty and strong motivation. Everybody Wins For Parents and Kids: Future Plans Kids Cube International is planning to establish a strong presence in Bangalore. It has also started working to open its preschools in other states as well. It is aiming for a presence in all the states of India in the next 5 years. ?e founder adds, “We want to incorporate the latest trends and the best education methodologies in our curriculum. We are also planning to start a Primary school in Bangalore, which focuses on the overall development of the child.” Kids Cube’s curriculum is a blend of multiple intelligence methods and Montessori Methodology. To provide the best to children, the educational system is designed around well- researched concepts such as ‘Inquiry-based learning’ and “3C approach (Character, Competence, and Content)”. To make learning entertaining, It has devised various interesting activities ensuring a stimulating environment for the holistic growth of children. Leveraging technology, it uses mobile apps for parent-teacher communication. It also uses social media tools for marketing and to build a relationship with its partners and community. For Partners: Kids Cube International is a preschool solution with a unique no royalty concept. It provides Preschool Franchise without royalty making it an investor-friendly model with quality education. It provides hand holding solution to its partners to set up the business. It provides end to end solutions for preschool. ?e well-defined process and structure help in quality reaching the end customer. ?e interactions, activities, materials, learning opportunities, and health and safety routines are observed and rated as a measure of process quality. It provides Teachers training and Centre Head Training. It also provides a well-researched curriculum and intensive training for staff to manage the preschool. Periodic audits are done to ensure the quality and marketing support to increase admissions. While looking for a new franchise partner the preschool looks for Edupreneurs who have: • Passion to ignite young minds • Good Educational Background • Readily available Investment • Proper Infrastructure 23 |October 2019|

26. Mr. Rodney Briggs President & Co-founder Maple Bear Global Schools Mr. Alok Kumar Modi Chairman Maple Bear South Asia Maple Bear Delivering Wholesome Education across Boundaries T standards to ensure children’s readiness for elementary school. he Canadian education system is globally ranked among Top 10 by The Program for International Assessment (PISA), a triennial independent study done by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Bringing Canada’s track record of excellence in education, with 400+ schools running around the globe is The Maple Bear Education System. Part of the Modi Group, Maple Bear South Asia has 130+ successful schools running within South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Nepal). Elementary (Class 1 To 5) Maple Bear has developed an excellent, hands-on, rigorous and relevant elementary curriculum in each subject area based on the highly successful Canadian approach to learning and instruction. The Elementary Program is designed to educate the whole child – physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially. After School Programs Maple Bear also offers a number of distinguished programs that have been specially selected and meaningfully crafted to enrich and complement the child’s learning. These programs range from 2 hours up to 6 hours per week. Attending Every Child’s Need Infant Care & Early Learning Bear Care Infant Care & Early Learning is for children from 6 weeks to 18 months of age. The Bear Care program’s warm, welcoming and nurturing learning environment is designed to keep the infant safe while allowing for exploration and discovery. Computational Thinking Program ‘Computational Thinking’ is a powerful universal problem- solving technique, which is not just about preparing young learners for coding but helping them navigate the world at large. The Maple Bear Computational Thinking Program for levels starting Senior Kindergarten up to Grade 4 aids the development of computational thinking skills at the Pre-school Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future opportunities. Maple Bear sets high 24 | October 2019 |

27. The Premier Franchises to Watch in 2019 learning methodology and now Maple Bear South Asia introduces an Early Childhood Education course, called ECE (Early Childhood Education – Teacher Training Program) The Foundation The idea to develop Maple Bear Canadian schools grew out of the work of the Canadian Education Centre Network (CECN), a non-profit organization supported by the Government of Canada and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada which was mandated to market Canadian education abroad to attract foreign students to study in Canada. Maple Bear was born after CECN managers overseas recognized there was a domestic demand for high quality, bilingual Canadian education from emerging middle-class parents, many of whom had studied outside of their own countries in general and in Canada in particular. The first Maple Bear Canadian School to open was in Indirapuram (New Delhi), India in 2005. Today, there are 423 schools in 20 countries with more than 41,000 students studying at Maple Bear schools worldwide. Mr. Sumit Taxali CEO Maple Bear South Asia early childhood level to help children become articulate and think logically. Corporate Program Mr. Rodney Briggs, President & Co-founder, Maple Bear Global Schools, graduated from the University of Manitoba with a B.A. and M.A. (International Relations). In 1996, Rodney joined the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada as the Vice-President responsible for the CECN project. In 1997 he became the first President of the newly- formed non-profit company, the CECN. In this capacity, he was responsible for building the network from three centers in the Asia-Pacific region into an entity with a presence in 17 countries spanning the globe. Bear Care gives corporates the perfect opportunity to build a family-friendly workplace with a strong childcare support system for their employees. Depending upon the location, budget, employee strength, and space availability, the company can either choose to set up a customized Bear Care facility on-site or avail the service at over 130 Maple Bear schools in South Asia. Powered by Maple Bear Program for K-12 Schools The Maple Bear powered by program offers K-12 schools an opportunity to implement the Maple Bear methodology and pedagogy in the Elementary Classes for Levels 1 to 5. The educators are constantly empowered to imbibe and deliver the curriculum to the learners. The program is adaptable to all boards including the different state boards, CBSE, ICSE, and IB. Alok Modi, Chairman,Maple Bear South Asia,is a dynamic entrepreneur and part of one of India’s foremost business conglomerates – The Modi Group of Companies, with diverse interests ranging from glass, education to travel. Known for his forward-looking approach and incisive vision, Modi plays a vital role in the Group with expertise in conceptualizing, strategizing and setting up new ventures. It was under his leadership that Modi Edutech (Modi Group) entered into a joint venture with Maple Bear Global Schools to form Maple Bear South Asia. Maple Bear ECE Program (Early Childhood Education – Teacher Training Program) Early Childhood Education has now been recognized as the most important need in the current scenario world over. With the growing demand, there is a need to have quality educators in the field of preschool. Over the years of dedicated research done by more than 72 Canadian experts, Maple Bear has developed the best-in-class child-centric Mr. Sumit Taxali, CEO, Maple Bear South Asia, graduated from Hindu College, MD University, in Computers and started his career journey at an early age with a Financial Institution in the Sales & Marketing 25 |October 2019|

28. ‘ ‘ ‘‘ ‘ ‘ Canadian School/Preschool does not require heavy investment or a large space. It offers a holistic support system to address all spheres from setting up, running and operating a school to its franchisees. The School looks for the following attributes in a prospect franchisee: Our programs designed by Canadian experts, strive to build quality schools that promote education through experiential learning • Passion towards education and belief in the system of early childhood education • Belief in the vision and mission of Maple Bear • A no-compromise attitude towards delivering the program as per the quality standards defined by Maple Bear • Leadership skills • Willingness to learn Maple Bear provides such entrepreneurs with the following and more: • Comprehensive Curriculum based on proven Canadian methodologies • Multiple stages of teacher trainings by Canadian and local trainers throughout the year • Customized ERP (MBBS) software to manage the complete centre operations smoothly • After School Programs - Early Mom & Tots, Mom & Tots, English Plus Programs and more • Complete Marketing Support including brand collaterals & online platforms, designing city-specific, region- specific and localized marketing campaigns • 360° quality assurance audits to guarantee quality control • Mentorship and guidance with overall school operations & business growth planning strategy • Vendor support (uniforms, books, teaching aids, furniture & fixtures) for end-to-end school operations • Recruitment & training of staff • Annual convention of Maple Bear School Owners for knowledge sharing and exchange of industry best practices division. A seasoned sales enabler, he has worked closely with Educational Institutions across India. He holds a verifiable success record of conceiving, developing and executing the strategies and initiatives that drive revenues, growth, competitive market positioning, profits, and shareholder value. The Global Advantage Maple Bear schools benefit from its distinguished academic faculty of Canadian trainers, curriculum writers, and quality assurance personnel. A large faculty of experienced teachers and education administrators constantly update it to develop a new curriculum, new training materials, and methodologies and school policies. It provides continual professional training and support for teachers throughout the year to ensure consistency and quality. Canadian Trainers as well as trainers from the regional head office mentor teachers and introduce them to the latest pedagogies and instructional strategies. A Multi-dimensional Growth Plan From just 3 preschools in 2005, Maple Bear has grown to 400+ schools in 20+ countries. Its approach towards growth is multi-dimensional. This includes expanding its network of schools, increasing its enrollments across the schools and also creating more opportunities for revenue generation by diversifying its portfolio of programs. In the first half of 2019 alone, Maple Bear has added 15 new centres to its network in South Asia including India and Nepal. It is now looking at growing this number to 500 schools within the next few years. Every Maple Bear school undergoes inspection that covers everything from safety equipment to smooth center operations, to classroom performance. All Maple Bear schools have clean, secure facilities and low student to teacher ratios. Schools also use a customized ERP software (M.B.B.S. - MAPLE BEAR BUSINESS SOLUTION) with great features including the Parent App, Visitor Management and Online fee collection from Parents. For Edupreneurs Maple Bear’s mission is not just to expand its network but to provide budding entrepreneurs with a promising platform to help realize their dreams to support the fast-expanding start- up culture in the region. Maple Bear, as a franchise, opens doors to infinite global platforms of experience, knowledge and proven methods of running a successful school. Starting a Maple Bear 26 | October 2019 |

30. ‘ ‘ ‘‘ ‘ ‘ Our speciality is engraved flowers that can set a curve on your loved one’s face Faiyaaz Hasan Nafeez Hasan Co-founders NASAH PETALS Engrave Your Special Moments O Flowers have their own language it seems. Their symmetry, colours and fragrance have always intrigued human beings who have been trying to replicate them in various art forms. They are the most simple way to greet people you know or may be total strangers. f all the divine creations, flowers are perhaps bestowed with some special powers. Their mere presence is certain to light up a human face. flowers and even different colours of the same flower are often used to express sentiments. Roses, for example are used to communicate a myriad of emotions. For example a red rose is used to express feelings of love, while yellow means friendship. In case, one is not aware of which flower to choose for a particular situation, Bangladesh-based Nasah Petals are here to the rescue. Founded with an idea of bringing uniqueness at a private wedding ceremony, the idea bloomed like a flower itself and turned into a full-fledged company that is revolutionising the floral and home decor market in South East Asia. Whatever be the occasion or your relation with a person, there’s always a flower that you can present them. Throughout history, flowers have been used as special symbols to communicate an idea or a feeling. Different 28 | October 2019 |

31. The Premier Franchises to Watch in 2019 A Novel Idea initiate a flexible income source (work at home model). • Sell and distribute its range of flower engraving machines (Flower Printers) Nasah Petals started out with the intention of developing the unorganized floral and home décor retail market. It launched its operations from Dhaka, Bangladesh and in less then 3 years, scaled from 1 to 5 outlets. It plans on opening 2 more outlets in the coming 9 months. The company believes in providing high quality to customers and so cultivates the finest quality flowers. Its innovative idea of engraving natural flowers and working with other 100% eco-friendly products is in sync with nature and merges with its aim of think green, become green. As a franchisee, it provides a platform for young entrepreneurs to establish their own business. It is currently providing franchising options to entrepreneurs from Australia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Philippines, and Singapore. Nafeez believes that the most outlining benefit of this business is that there is no recession in this business. He says, “People will not stop marrying, celebrating or spending on chocolates and gifts. The business will go on.” In addition to that, Nasah’s franchise partners enjoy Nasah adds a mesmerizing dramatic touch to the flowers with the help of its content engraving machines. It prints or engraves customised content on roses. The customer’s message is engraved on roses creating a customised experience. It also delivers happiness through its floral themed gift packages including engraved flowers, chocolate bouquets and customized gifts. These customised hampers can be curated as per the customer’s wish. It also offers late night deliveries for special surprising moments. The company loves to give homes an instant makeover with delicate and beautifully designed vases, home decor items, artificial flowers and other garden related services. • Higher profitability and ROI • Low operating cost and staffing requirement • High customer base due to high demand • Mentoring to operate the business efficiently, training and constant support • Right to adjust the business operations according to one’s own country’s culture, desire and demand • Innovative ideas and support for national marketing and advertisement Nasah Petals, as a partnering company looks for people who have • Passion to start their own business • Crave for success • Ability to think out of the box • Eagerness to take on the venture The Founding Brothers The Founder Faiyaaz Hasan was struck with the idea during Nafeez Hasan’s wedding, about 4 years ago. He wanted to assist with the wedding preparations with something new and exciting. During his research, he came across a concept of engraving fresh flowers with content. This immediately had caught his eye which allowed him to further research on the product and industry. What started as a concept of being different in a wedding went onto become their first commercial product for Bangladesh. The brothers since then, have been managing and growing the company. Taking it Forward The founding duo have achieved success through Determination, dedication and persistence right from the start. They advise the young entrepreneurs saying, “Don’t be afraid of failures! Each failure will take you one step closer to Success!” Spreading Happiness through Business For its own growth, Nasah Petals would like to be a leader in the fresh flowers and home décor segments of Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, etc. It also hopes to introduce industry related services like garden management, organic produce delivery, etc. Nasah Petals is willing to take the advantage of the rapidly growing floral industry and together with its partners, is on a mission to spread the majestic essence of flowers all around the world. Nasah works with three point key focus: • Prepare and distribute customised roses and various types of personalised hampers and bouquets. • Create a model through which licensees could equip themselves with the company’s packages in order to 29 |October 2019|

32. ‘ ‘ ‘‘ ‘ ‘ Pebbles is Committed to Pre-School Education for over a decade Kennedy Nesamoney Founder Pebbles Pre-School Focusing on All Facets of a Child’s Growth L ike all things good, which change for better with time, the Education system also needs evolution. Two decades earlier, pre-schools were very rare in India. But now, especially with nuclear families and double incomes, pre-schools have become essential. But kids, at this tender age of below five years, don’t need an education that is all work and no fun. “Joint families were the order of the day. There used to be people at home to take care of the little ones like grandparents, uncles and aunts and mothers who did not have a career to take care of. Today things are different, there are many nuclear families where both parents work and nobody at home to take care of the little ones. We were able to overcome this by educating parents on the importance of preschool education for kids. We were also able to instill confidence in the parents by providing a safe and hygienic environment and qualified trained staff to take care of the child.” When Mr. Kennedy Nesamoney came back to Chennai after completing his education in Africa, he saw the gap firsthand. Coming from a family of educators, and having witnessed how kids abroad are nurtured through various activities, he was quick to see an opportunity. Even though Chennai had a bunch of daycare centers, a typical preschool that caters to the overall development of kids below five years was missing. Without spending much time in speculations, he set out to establish his first preschool venture in 2000 by the name Pebbles Pre-School. The school has spread its arms to the states of Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. After convincing parents with the need for pre-school, the next task was to establish a premise that spoke high about the promises that the team was making. Tackling the first challenge of hot and humid weather, the management had air-conditioned all the classrooms in the establishment. By doing so, Pebbles became the first preschool in Chennai, with air-conditioned classrooms. Up next, the classrooms Catering to the Exact Need Pebbles was founded at a time when Chennai was still contemplating the need for preschools in society. The preschool concept, being in its initial stage of development, was a bit challenging for the team. Mr. Nesamoney recalls, 30 | October 2019 |

33. The Premier Franchises to Watch in 2019 Partnering for Growth For expansion, Pebbles looks at associating with highly motivated entrepreneurs who can easily carry forward their vision. It looks for people who: • Have a Passion to run a playschool; • Are willing to invest and sustain until it becomes profitable; • Understand the advantage of taking up a franchise over setting up one on their own • Look for long term association for mutual benefits. Franchisees who partner with Pebbles get benefitted by being part of a renowned brand that has an experience of almost 2 decades. They can leverage a very well prepared in-house curriculum that focuses on all facets of a child’s growth. Proper manuals are in place to assist them in day to day operations. Pebbles also provides complete training and support to run the outlet at very affordable rates. were fitted with everything to the child’s scale, allowing them to be independent of adults. The next priority was maintaining a healthy child-teacher ratio, thereby ensuring more care and individual attention to the child. At Pebbles, apart from adequate infrastructure and teachers, everything is built upon its extra-ordinary curriculum. It helps children to achieve complete school readiness in all areas of academic and social learning. Looking Beyond Competition for Expansion Pebbles is in an expansion mode and even with limited branches, it is rated on par with the bigger players in the industry. Leveraging technology, its digital presence on the internet and especially social media, is assisting its growth. The team feels that digital presence is the future for the growth and expansion of any organization. Teachers – The Pillars Aware of the competition in the market, the team opines that the Playschool industry is not a bed of roses as most people would think. It needs a lot of passion and dedication. It is also not like a restaurant where one can put in money today and expect results tomorrow. Mr. Nesamoney further adds, “Playschools usually flourish over a while and most of the business happens through word of mouth. It is also a very sensitive industry as we have to take up the responsibility of handling little ones.” Teacher’s skill plays a strong role in influencing the child’s power to grasp and learn concepts. At Pebbles Preschool, teachers are trained in the best possible way and ensure that they are completely prepared for their responsibilities. However, handling the kids in real scenarios is much tougher than earning educational qualifications and attending training. Kids need more caring and warm approach. In the classrooms of Pebbles, one can see that magical approach with massive assistance from the highly experienced support staff. Along with that, the management regularly conducts in-service training and information about the latest trends in early childhood education and care as well. Pebbles is a 20-year-old brand. Very few players in this industry have a foundation that dates back 20 years. With this strong base, it would be moving forward in a phased manner by extending its franchise across India as an affordable high-quality brand. The teachers and other employees at Pebbles are highly talented individuals who have a passion and enjoy the work they are doing. The management provides them an environment that promotes healthy work-life balance for women, which in turn makes them dedicated to the work they are doing. Mr. Nesamoney adds, “We motivate them by giving them a feeling of belongingness to the organization. We are very transparent in our operations and make each person aware of their contribution to the betterment of the organization.” 31 |October 2019|

36. ‘ ‘ ‘‘ ‘ ‘ Our work is a result of feedback from parents and business partners through robust research and consumer understanding Mr. Debshankar Mukhopadhyay Chief Executive Officer Zee Learn Delivering an Experience called Learning T he franchise market in India has the potential to grow to $20 billion by 2020 and is already growing at an impressive rate of approximately 30% per year. For the people who are willing to start a business, franchising is a good option available due to the moderate risk and low investment as compared to running their venture. The support provided by franchisers is the major plus point for getting into a franchising business as they help with all the end to end solutions right from consultancy to guidelines for a stress-free setup and operations. For young and first-generation entrepreneurs, it is always beneficial to join hands with an entity or organization that specializes in a specific sector. requirements right from the age of 1.5 years until the child turns into a confident adult ready to take on the world of tomorrow. Names Built of Hardwork In the last 25 years, Zee Learn has scaled new heights and spread quality education in more than 800 cities and towns. It’s Preschool brand, Kidzeeis today Asia’s largest Preschool network with over 2000 centers. Global learning and research have helped it stay ahead of the curve and its roots in India helped it contextualize it for the Indian audience. This has created a unique learning experience through its trademarked pedagogy – iLLUME. We are also one of the leaders in the K-12 Education segment with over 130 operational schools across India by the name of Mount Litera Zee School. One such brand with a positive proven record and a name that resonates across the globe is Zee Learn Limited. The brand owes its beginnings to its hugely popular parent company, Essel Group and that to its Chairman Mr. Subhash Chandra. Zee Learn started with Mr. Chandra’s belief that India’s future can be brighter only if quality education is imparted to its future generation to help prepare them to take on every challenge that tomorrow might throw at them. Started in 1994, Zee Learn Ltd, as a leading educational organization has delivered success, respect, and immense satisfaction to all the associated parents, students, and franchisees. It is a public listed company and addresses educational and learning Zee Learn also offers vocational training in the field of animation, VFX and design through Zee Institute of Creative Art (ZICA). It isIndia’s first full-fledged Classical and Digital Animation Training Academy that trains youth in classical 2D and modern 3D animation. Zee Institute of Media Art (ZIMA) offers industry-oriented education in the field of film and TV. As part of its commitment to offering 34 | October 2019 |

37. The Premier Franchises to Watch in 2019 the finest quality education across different segments and age groups, the group founded Mount Litera School International (IB School) in Mumbai. academic, business and enrolments via marketing • Dedicated key accounts manager at disposal to get a resolution for all queries • Assistance in developing infrastructure and designing interiors • Provides time tested books, publications, and other learning resources • Continuous updates on current educational developments • Reduced setup cost as a result of being part of a larger group With the recent acquisition of Mahesh Tutorials, Zee Learn has strengthened its position in the supplementary education sector offering coaching for aspirants appearing for entrance exams like IIT, Engineering, MBA, MBBS and ICAI at pan India level with around 160+ centers. Moving ahead with times, it has conceptualized and developed effective Digital Education ecosystems. These ecosystems are designed to improve outcomes with a granular approach using a pedagogically robust engine. Digital forays like Kidzee Learning App, Kidzee Tab, Robomate, R+ notebook, etc. give its students an innovative learning option with an edge. Partners who believe in the same philosophy are important for mutual growth. To ensure its brand value, Zee Learn follows a standardized procedure before signing any new franchisee, the steps include: • Business Partner profiling • Scrutinizing the franchise application • Location analysis to help the Franchisee open it in a rewarding area • Signing agreement • Setting up of the franchisee – operations team works closely to guide this entire process A Man of Focus Mr. Debshankar Mukhopadhyay is the Chief Executive Officer of Zee Learn Limited. In his role, Mr. Mukhopadhyay takes full responsibility for identifying the strategic vision of the company and ensuring its execution to achieve growth for Zee Learn and its brands. He is actively involved in overseeing relationships with stakeholders and partners of the business. Through the above pointers, the company gains information about the education qualification, income, social status, inclination towards education, involvement commitment, etc to understand whether the partner is the right fit for a franchise. This evaluation is discussed internally and only after a go-ahead from our senior team, a franchise comes on board. He is a strategic thinker who brings deep insights into market needs and helps the organization to scale up by offering superior value to customers. A sensitive leader, he strongly emphasizes a team-based approach in the business to achieve business objectives. With a rich experience of more than 23 years in the education and financial services sector across South Asia, his functional expertise lies in effective business management and network & channel development. Building a Future Zee Learn has always believed in one philosophy which is “What is right for the child”. Anything and everything that makes the child better is something that it focuses on and communicates. Its goal is to respond to the call of creating the emerging leaders of tomorrow. The Team adds, “We are committed to impacting a synergy of skills, knowledge, and values in our children to lend them their inner voice for the 21st century. We envision today’s children as tomorrow’s leadership icons. We have impacted a milestone departure from the teacher-led to the child-centric learning. Our learning environment enables each child to realize their unique learning style, while our MI-aided methodology helps them discover their own creative and aesthetic potential.” A Relationship built on Trust For Zee Learn, trust is the basis of its relationship with Business Partners that has kept more and more entrepreneurs wanting to associate with the brand. One of the key factors that build trust is complete transparency with its customers. As Mr. Mukhopadhyay puts it, “This ensures that they have faith in us and don’t see us as someone who just has a plain business relationship with them but they see us as a family where they look up to us as the experts in our respective category and believe in our vision of nurturing talents across the country.” Going further, Zee Learn would strongly continue to expand its footprint and ensure that every Indian child is imparted the best of education to prepare them to prosper and succeed as the future leaders and citizens of a vibrant India. When entrepreneurs associate with Zee Learn, they stand to get several benefits like: • A proven business model that delivers a robust ROI. • Support in catchment analysis, operations, legal, 35 |October 2019|

38. HOTEL & RESTAURANT FRANCHISING IN INDIA W The term franchising essentially stands for “An arrangement where one party (the franchiser) grants another party (the franchisee) the right to use its trademark or trade-name as well as certain business systems and processes, to produce and market a good or service according to certain specifications. The franchisee usually pays a one-time franchise fee plus a percentage of sales revenue as royalty, and gains (1) immediate name recognition, (2) tried and tested products, (3) standard building, design and décor, (4) detailed techniques in investor to get into the Hospitality hat Is ‘Franchising’ trade (Hotels or Restaurants). It ensures being a stakeholder in a recognized brand, and the thought of owning a well-known restaurant or hotel is what drives most people to Franchising. It works by essentially following the same standards as other outlets of the brand across the region, for which training is imparted by the Franchisor.But, not all outlets you see multiplying are through Franchisee’s, a lot of companies prefer to run and operate their stores, for this we must understand the system ‘Self-Operated’ and “Franchise-Operated” restaurants/hotels. running and promoting the business, (5) training of employees, and (6) ongoing help in promoting and upgrading of the products”. (as defined by www.businessdictionary.com To put this more simply, and in food and beverage terms, it’s a situation where a hotel or restaurant company, expands its business by allowing third parties to open up their brand outlets, usually by paying a fixed percentage or charging a fixed percentage for the brand name. How does Franchising Work Franchising is the easiest way for an Self / Brand Operated Franchising 36 | October 2019 |

39. CXO Standpoint ABOUT THE AUTHOR Amit Tejpal has worked at 12 five star deluxe hotels of ITC Hotels and Oberoi Hotels & Resorts in India, and now owns Tejpal Hospitality, which conceptualizes and executes Hotel & Restaurant projects for clients . Amit Tejpal 37 |October 2019|

40. In this situation the Franchisor allows investment from third-party investors, like you or me, to put up money in acquiring the outlet location (rented/leased/owned), put up some more money in doing up the interiors, lighting, air- conditioning, plumbing, etc., which has to be followed completely as per the Franchisor’s instructions, and thereafter the Franchisor will pay the Franchisee a fixed percentage of the monthly revenue. An example of this is seen in KFC Restaurants, where the investor sets up the property for KFC, and they send in their own trained staff to run the show. In most cases like KFC, the investor gets a fixed percentage on ‘total sale’ (minus GST). Usually, this percentage is between 6% - 15% across the board. In this kind of a situation, even the investor walks in and spends like a regular customer, and can have no say in food production areas like a change of recipe, etc. under the banner OYO Townhouse, whilst the bulk of their hotels are under a ‘Franchise operated’ scheme, where they market the property via their App and e-portal, manage the reservations and charge a fixed percentage. Another ironic example is ITC Hotels, wherein the case of Fortune Hotels, they become the Franchisor, for their Luxury 5* Deluxe Hotels like Sheratons and Luxury Collection, they actually pay Royalty to Starwood Hotels (now owned by Marriott) for the use of Brand Name and Brand Standards, whilst operating the Hotels themselves. For restaurants, there are numerous examples like this in small waffle chains, ice cream, donuts, frozen yogurts, South Indian fast food, etc. brands. Even Baskin Robbins and Subway operate similarly, where the investment is made by the investor and the owner has to run the show with support from them. The better the brand, the better the support an investor will get. Should You Go for It? For Hotels, an investor may set up a 3*/4*/5* Hotel on his own money and arrange for a larger well-known Hotel company to run it for them, while the investor receives a fixed percentage of the sale. For example, in the 5* category, all Hyatt and JW Marriott Hotels in India are run similarly. The employees are on the payrolls of the Hotel Company, but the property belongs to a third party owner. Another example of ITC Fortune and Taj Gateway Hotels can be offered in the 4* Hotels category. In this case, however, the investor need not walk-in like any ordinary customer, he gets the same respect or more than that of the General Manager, with usually everything on the house. There is however one thing to note when an investor goes to a big company to get a Franchisee for a ‘Self-operated’ or ‘Brand operated’ outlet, where he will only have to pay once and the Brand will run the show for him, it involves a lot of purchase from that brand. For example, an investor cannot even buy an oven of his choice, he has to buy exactly what the Brand has told him, and more often than not, from the same vendor that the Brand has adopted in the past, even if the investor wants to buy a better oven or fridge or fryer, etc. Same for every single item purchased, right down to the furniture. This adds up on the expenses, and some brands even manufacture their machines/kitchen equipment, just for this purpose. Franchise Operated Outlets In this situation the Franchisee just uses the brand name and brand standards of a well-known brand, however, the staff are on the Franchisee’s payrolls, not the brand’s. Like in the above case, the investor here has to find a suitable location, set it up with appropriate interiors, etc. as per the guidelines of the Brand, recruit staff, and run the show himself, but within the guidelines of the Brand. In this situation, the investor or Franchisee pays the Brand a fixed percentage of the sale, in return he gets Brand Standards, and Marketing. Most good brands also regularly hold training for all of the franchisee’s employees, assisting them to embrace the Brand’s standards To sum it up, Franchising works for anyone who has the investment to own a brand store. To give you an idea, in a metro city like Kolkata, a Baskin Robbins 15ft*20ft store costs between Rs. 15-20 Lakhs, a Subway Franchise costs upwards of Rs. 60 Lakhs, KFC / Pizza Hut Rs. 1 - Rs. 1.25 cr. Hotels could cost between Rs. 10 cr to Rs. 1000 cr (yes one thousand) depending on size and location. The largest restaurant Franchise chain currently in the World is Subway with over 30,000 outlets worldwide, and KFC (Owned by Yumm Foods, which is further owned by PepsiCo) is not too far off, and the reason behind their phenomenal success is Franchising. An example of this in Hotels can be seen in OYO Rooms, who have recently started ‘self-operating’ some hotels 38 | October 2019 |