Empowering employees into franchisees
Empowering employees into franchisees

Of lately, we all have seen many people turning into entrepreneurs via franchise route. But, there are some rare examples of people who out of their zeal for entrepreneurship, have transformed into the brand’s franchisee for which they were once working. Such examples have renewed their jobs into their passion for business via franchising. Let us read about such inspiring tales of these victorious bosses who were once empowered by their brands and now, how they are empowering others and creating employment opportunities too.

Food
Subway, the world’s largest sandwich restaurant chain, recently opened its 600th restaurant in India at Bharuch in the state of Gujarat. Strategically located on National Highway 8, the new restaurant is spread over an area of 966 square feet and is owned by Hareshwar Koralkar who once worked for Subway for 4 years in Australia. Koralkar shares: ‘It is a great feeling. Setting up this restaurant has been a huge learning experience involving a lot of hard work, challenges and triumphs. However, Subway’s support on all aspects of business including training has made the entire effort worth it. I aspire towards making this restaurant the number one eating-out destination in the region.’

What makes it special: This Subway features Metro Décor, a design format which enhances the restaurant’s appeal by making it more stylish and spacious. State-of-the-art interiors, chic lighting, a modern-age sitting area with natural wood-toned and black-laminate floors complete the restaurant’s upscale effect helping guests enjoy a great eating-out experience. Across the globe, Subway operates more than 44,000 restaurants in 112 countries. Another great example in Subway is of Iniyaraja Ramajayam. Back in 2004 when Iniyaraja was still a student, completing his Master’s Degree at Birmingham City University in UK, he took up a part‐time job at a Subway restaurant near his school. Being part of the Subway team gave him invaluable insights into the company and its functions. When asked how he felt about the brand, Iniyaraja said without hesitation, “It was love and it was mutual. I love Subway and the brand loved me back. Subway was my very first job but now, it’s my career.” Following his stint at the restaurant, Iniyaraja was offered a permanent role with Subway’s DA team where he was engaged in a more hands on role and became an integral part of the business development team. He then went on to set up his first Subway in 2010. Now, he is running 2 restaurants.

Tours and Travels
Leading name, Thomas Cook has a total count of 104 franchise outlets in over 150 metros, mini metros and Tier II & III markets, pan India. A unique initiative that the brand has launched via its franchise model is the opportunity for skill development and employment generation. Rahul Shinde, an Ex-Thomas Cook India staff, with an experience of over four years, was given an opportunity to set up a Thomas Cook India franchise outlet (Gold Circle Partner) in an area that offers significant potential that is Dadar, Central Mumbai. Being a Maharashtrian, this is of great value to Thomas Cook India’s regional Marathi outreach to tap the highly significant and growing Maharashtrian consumer segment for the holidays.

This has these benefits:

  • Opportunity of leveraging knowledge-expertise and experience of a staff trained by the Thomas Cook India enterprise
  • Enhancing the Travel & Tourism eco-system and extending the market
  • Delivering on PM Modi’s focus of skill development.

Flowers n Gifting
Leading Florist brand, Ferns N Petals is also proud to have given its franchise to Nikita Tokas in 2013. During her stint while working with FNP, she got so inspired with its franchise model that she decided to own one and open store at Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi. Nikita is now an inspiration for many at FNP.

Fitness
We found one such example at the Mumbai based Fitness chain, YFC (Your Fitness Club). 33 years old, Amit Gokhe was working with YFC and now a franchisee of the Borivali West centre. Rizwan Sayed, Founder of YFC says: ‘Amit has always given us incredible results. It is always beneficial to have our employees as franchisees. They already understand the brand so well that it becomes much easier for them to run the gym at their cities. The employees surely understand the personification of the brand much better.’

 
Stay on top – Get the daily news from Indian Retailer in your inbox
Also Worth Reading