INSIDE YOUR BUSINESS: Top 5 Industries Where You Can Consider Buying A Franchise

Loading player...
Freddy Makgato, CEO of Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) talks about Fast food franchises are among the most popular businesses to buy in South Africa. Many South Africans have affinities to brands like Steers, Nando's, McDonald's, and KFC – and these have proven models that systematise operations and generate profits. 

But they come at a steep cost to franchisees – often requiring millions in setup costs and ongoing management fees of around 12% of monthly turnover. And that's if they're even available in the first place.

There are, however, several fast-food franchises that operate nimbly. They deal in limited menus specialising in a single food type sold at low prices and away from expensive retail space. 

Items that don't require complex cooking procedures, like sausages, pies, chips, and crumbed fish, are ideally suited to these operations, with some allowing the majority of preparation to take place off-site.

The franchises are also cheap because they operate out of food trucks, gazebos, kiosks, or small retail stores rather than taking over pricey floor space in malls.

As a result, many offer attractive deals to franchisees with flat or low monthly management and marketing fees.

Given the average price point and limited range of menu items, the profits from these stores may be lower than more prominent quick service restaurants – the average order cost will be far lower for a hot dog than a premium burger with chips. 

But a well-positioned store, outside a busy hardware store or in a high-traffic walkway, for example, may sell a lot of units and generate reasonable profits, especially given the lower initial and ongoing fees.
1 Feb 2023 1PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

EXPLAINER - Why some sports stars are worth more than companies.

An 18-year-old footballer valued at more than R6 billion has reignited a global debate: how do we really put a price on modern sports stars? Following a new long-term contract at Barcelona, teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has been named the world’s most valuable footballer — outranking established global icons and…
15 Jan 3PM 22 min

Why central bank independence matters.

GUEST – Prof Jannie Rossouw - Honorary professor at Wits Business School and economist at Altitude Wealth Central bank independence refers to a central bank’s ability to formulate and implement monetary policy - such as setting interest rates and managing liquidity - without direct control or interference from the political…
15 Jan 3PM 19 min

South Africa at Davos 2026: The Investment Message SA Is Taking to the World.

GUEST - Neville Matjie, CEO of Brand South Africa As global leaders gather in Davos under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue”, South Africa is stepping onto one of the world’s most influential stages to make its investment case amid heightened geopolitical tension, economic uncertainty and rapid technological change. With…
15 Jan 3PM 10 min