The Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) took part in a global initiative spearheaded by the American International Franchise Association (IFA) to find young entrepreneurs with great concepts from around the world. Winners received a trip to the IFA’s Annual Convention in Las Vegas from 28 January to 1st February 2017 as well as educational and accelerator programs with industry leaders and other prizes. FASA promoted the competition through its newsletter, website and social media and one entrepreneur took up the challenge, entered and won!
Ricus van der Merwe, an entrepreneur who started Cookie Works in 2014, a unique concept of freshly baked cookies on the spot where you pick the dough and the mix-ins and they bake it in front of you, was directed to the FASA website as part of his journey to franchise his concept. This is how he ended up as a winner in Las Vegas, USA.
“I had the idea of franchising it since the beginning, sharing my experience, business model and developing a network of like-minded people that can grow with the Cookie Works Brand.”
“Cookie Works grew into a Factory in Aug 2015 supplying cookie bars to the retail market (Checkers, Spar, etc.). In July 2016 we started the process of becoming a Franchisor as the support structure had been set in place in our Factory. Louie Minnie, franchise consultant at The Practice assisted us in getting our Franchise contract and Disclosure Documents in place. Louie directed me to the FASA website where I was able to access more information on the franchise business model in South Africa. On the FASA Website there was an ad for the NextGen Franchise 2017 Global Competition. I do not usually enter competitions, but that day I did the opposite and entered Cookie Works into the competition.”
“As time passed by, I forgot about the entry into the NextGen Franchise Competition. In late November I received an email from the NextGen Organizer informing me that I was one of 18 Global winners selected out of more than 400 entries. That moment was unreal! I received great prizes and was also part of an accelerator mentor program to assist in the growth of Cookie Works through IFA (International Franchise Association). I also had the opportunity of attending the IFA 2017 Conference in Las Vegas in America meeting CEO’s and Founders of great Franchise brands like Molly Maid, Subway, Nestle Tollhouse Cafe by Chip, ext. Being part of the NextGen Accelerator program introduced me to many creative ways to benefit franchisees that will become part of the Cookie Works Franchise Brand. It is and truly was a memorable experience that has catapulted Cookie Works to the next level. Cookie Works is excited to becoming one of the household brand-names in the Franchise Industry.”
Source: The Franchise Association of South Africa www.fasa.co.za