Franchising is one of those words that rings with different meanings in people’s minds, but in layman terms it is simply your money invested in somebody else’s tailor-made business plan; or technically it is when you purchase the name or trade mark of a certain business and in return you get the right to operate that business in your country of choice.
Establishing an independent business in today’s world may seem like a lot of work. It requires a considerable amount of investment, a well-outlined business plan and the know-how. Since opening up your own business can be an expensive, and sometimes slightly risky affair, entrepreneurs tend to go for the much easier option of getting a franchise that provides pre-established practices which you study, copy and implement.
Recently, the franchising concept has spread like wildfire across the GCC due to the Gulf’s growing economic activity, swelling population and the steady increase in the consumer’s purchasing power – leaving scope, however, for further growth potential. According to Mahmoud Mousavi, Vice President of Franchise Sale & Marketing for Gulf Franchising Holding Co. (Kuwait) herightly believes that, “even though the boom of the GCC’s economy is bringing new people into the country leading to an increase in population, increased incomes and even inflation, it is helping rather than hindering people and businesses to take up value-based enterprises.”
With more than 400 franchise outlets in the food and retail segment, Kuwait has served, and still does, as a franchise core for the Middle East region. Brands that need no introduction such as 5aSec Dry Cleaning, Pitman Training, KwikKopy, Computer Troubleshooters, Dunkin Donuts, Subway, McDonalds and Pizza Hut all started in Kuwait. Kuwait is one of the most competitive and mature markets in the region and the most successful brands are based here. So with this fact in hand, Gulf Franchising Holding Co. wants to change the rules a bit; why not start a Kuwaiti brand and make it into a franchise system to be franchised in the GCC region and then smoothly increase its horizons into Singapore, Italy, France, UK, Canada and United States?
Mahmoud Mousavi explains further, “the idea came to my mind when I started to think about all the successful local brands in Kuwait that created enough hype and significant impact in the Kuwaiti market, and are becoming outstanding chains that can be franchised out effectively. If we create an association to take care of legal and patent rights, creating international systems for currency transfer, these restaurants can be set up within GCC countries and eventually abroad. In the beginning the question that came to our minds was whether our restaurants could handle such expansion and reach an enormous broad base. Imagine traveling to London, Sharm El Sheikh, Istanbul or Beirut and visiting your fatherland restaurant concepts there. Such expansion has great economic benefits, simply by removing a certain international currency from your cash cycle that gets exchanged to Kuwaiti Dinar. Such action surely creates a stronger local economy for a 4-million-people market. Now you see why the Americans are smartly trying to DOLLORIZE the world – it makes their economy much stronger. This even creates jobs and a path for better economic relations. Imagine the profits they are making here in the GCC. Imagine going to Amsterdam and in one corner you see your favorite Kebab restaurant, called Naz Persian Soul Food.”
Naz is an authentic Persian franchise restaurant that takes customers on a gastronomic journey to savor the wide range of sumptuous and delicious recipes, prepared with expertise from renowned Persian cuisine in a modern and vibrant atmosphere along with the aroma of the freshly baked Iranian bread. Naz’s menu draws its influences from Persia which has, over the years, established itself as the culinary mother of the Middle East and has influenced the evolution of Indian, Turkish and Mediterranean cuisines. Dishes are fresh, light, aromatic, subtly spiced and often marinated over time to ensure the ultimate flavors marry perfectly with the high quality produce and fine ingredients used.
Today NAZ, which is a home-grown concept and brainchild of GFC, has established its roots well in Kuwait and is all set to stretch its wings and take a flight for an international franchise expedition.
For Franchising Opportunities please contact: Mr. Mahmoud Mousavi – V.P. Franchise Sale & Marketing at Mousavi@gfc.com.kw or Ms.ShivaniPushkarna – Franchising Coordinator at Shivani@gfc.com.kw.
