Interview to Malene Thomassen, from Flexa

• How and where started making business?

Since 1972, FLEXA has manufactured functional and flexible children’s furniture made from high-quality solid wood. Our main office is located in Hornsyld, Denmark and we have factories in Estonia and China.
We also have subsidiaries in France, Spain and China. Through this network of subsidiaries, we sell children’s furniture in over 25 countries.

• Why decided to start franchising?

After many years of experience with producing and selling children’s furniture, Flexa has developed a comprehensive assortment of furniture. In 1972 the idea was to build a flexible bed, but over the years the concept has expanded to also contain wardrobes, chests of drawers, textile, lamps and much more. In the late 1990’s Flexa prepared a concept suitable for franchising and in 1999 Flexa opened its first franchise shops in the US and in Asia. The year after, in 2000, the first European Flexa shop opened in Nice, France. The concept has been further developed and expanded ever since, based on experience, market trends and demands.

• How many franchises do you have?

Today Flexa has 140 franchise shops worldwide and 40 of those shops are located in Europe.

• What makes you different from other competitors?
  

The core product at Flexa is the bed made of solid pine wood. The concept is that once you have purchased a Flexa bed, it grows with the child. The single bed stands on the floor, then it can be build up as a mid-height with a slide and tower, further up as a high bed with a desk underneath and then down on the floor again for the teenagers. The Flexa assortment also includes Oeko-Tex marked textiles, which are free of chemicals and other harmful substances. Furthermore, Flexa offers wooden furniture for storage and other accessories. Because of this concept, our customers are loyal and keep coming back to our stores to update the children’s rooms.

Flexa aims to be the preferred brand and partner for the furnishing of children’s rooms worldwide. To reach this goal we produce furniture of a high quality and provide a high service level which leads to satisfied and loyal customers.

• Why are you interested in franchising in Bulgaria?

The choice of Bulgaria as our next market for franchise shops is based on experience. Today Flexa has great experience with shops north of Bulgaria in Bucharest, Romania and south of Bulgaria in Thessaloniki and Athens, Greece. We see opportunities in the Bulgarian market for quality products to the children’s rooms.

• Are you planning further expansion in other countries? If yes, which?

Flexa seeks to expand on both existing markets and in new markets.

• What are your expansion plans in Bulgaria?

Expansion plans are made together with our franchisors. One advantage of making franchise corporations is that our partners have the needed knowledge and experience on the local markets to make realistic business plans. Therefore, Flexa is interested in entering the Bulgarian market – but the extent and speed is not decided beforehand.

• What’s the profile of the franchisee/Master Franchisor are you looking for?

We are searching for partners who have:

• • The necessary market knowledge: We expect that our franchisees know the opportunities and threats on the local markets
  • The will and drive to start up a new business: We expect that our franchisees are willing to work hard for success
  • In depth retail knowledge and experience: We expect that our franchisees have learned about own strengths and weaknesses, through practical work within the retail business
  • The necessary capital: We expect that our franchisees are realistic about finance. The investment level depends on factors such as location and size of shop
  • A clear and concise business plan: We expect that our franchisees make a considered investment and take all factors into account
  • A shared understanding of our values: We expect that our franchisees share our values and that we work by them as a team

• In this economic crisis, what are the main advantages of a franchise like yours?

The main advantages are based on the fact that you will be joining a team with great experience to build up successful businesses, even in challenging times.

• We adapt our business to the environment we live in, crisis or not.
• We work with 140 shops in times of recession; we have experience with the crisis.
• We have tested the concept, less of a risk for you
• We focus on creating customers who are loyal, also during a crisis
• You get a persistent support from your country manager
• You can freely use our marketing department, free of cost
• You have a close relationship with our dedicated staff, not a call centre
• You are free to do local marketing, targeted your area
• Our concept is constantly developing to fit the supply and demand in our markets

Interview to Patrick Lahoud, from Colombiano Coffee House

We are pleased to introduce you Patrick Lahoud, Sales & Marketing Manager at Colombiano Coffee House. Patrick decided to answer some questions about his franchise and the bulgarian market. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from him.

Patrick Lahoud’s Biography

Patrick Lahoud (Colombiano Coffee House Sales & Marketing Manager)

With 10 years experience in Sales & Marketing, an University Degree in Business Management, Patrick is an experienced Business Developer for International Franchises in the Middle East & Arab Countries and he has presented Colombiano Coffee House in the most reputable leading Franchise exhibition of the World. Additionaly, he has leaded Franchise Workshops in various Franchise conferences.

Also, here is some other information useful about Patrick:

• Diploma of Leading & Communicating & Time organizing & Groups Motivation & Decision Making & Generating Meetings Skills.
• Certified as an International Mystery Shopper for International Brands in F&B field.
• Events Management Consultant/10 years of experience
• 8 years experience in directing rehabilitation centers for drugs addicts programs.

Interview to Patrick Lahoud

BFN: How and where started making business?

Patrick Lahoud (PL): “Colombiano Coffee House”, more affectionately referred to as “CCH” or ““CCH Colombiano House”, is based on a Mythical and Old Love Story that brought together the Ambition , Love, Faithfulness and Gratitude shared among Coco, a young and beautiful woman from the area of Costa Playa,  her Grand Mama Lomalita, an excellent cook who devoted her life to teach Coco the art of preparing great tasting Food & Beverages with passion and Love ,  & the love of her heart, the Italian gentleman Fabiano who helped Coco realize her Dream of leaving her village to the city and opening her first Food and Beverage Store, a Love Story that immortalized the beautiful emotions shared between Coco,  Lomalita and Fabiano and  helped create Co.Lom.Biano , by the joining of their names.

“Colombiano Coffee House” first started franchising in the Middle East almost 3,5 years ago, as the Middle east presented a MORE  attractive economic ground for the growth of the Bistro /Cafe concepts .

Today , “Colombiano Coffee House”, is operating in Lebanon, Qatar, UAE and KSA and soon Syria, Kuwait, Cyprus.

Why decided to start franchising?

Patrick Lahoud (PL): Franchising is an excellent business model to help grow a succesful food and beverage concept

How many franchises do you have?

Patrick Lahoud (PL): 25 Branches – between opened & planned to be opened - in Lebanon, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia (Riyadh)

What makes you different from other competitors?

Patrick Lahoud (PL): The advantages of “Colombiano Coffee House”, with regard to the consumers (the end users)  are as follows :

• “Colombiano Coffee House” is not a coffee shop.
• “Colombiano Coffee House” is not a Sandwich shop.
• “Colombiano Coffee House” is not a pastry shop

The “Colombiano Coffee House” Concept can be easily considered as a fusion between some of the better known COFFEE  concepts in the world and  famous SANDWISH & SALADS concepts  and Well established PASTRY & ICE CREAM concepts .

At “Colombiano Coffee House”  , we serve Hot coffee based beverages (“Calientes”) , Frozen “Picoccinos” , Refreshing Fruit based Drinks (“Frescatas”) , Mouth watering pastries ( “Joyas de Luna”), Yummy ice Cream (“ Crema Divina “ ) or Healthy sandwiches & salads ( “ Bocadillos & Ensaladas”) , and in some areas , our special alcohol based cocktails .

Further , our Euro Latino / Spanish image always adds a unique flavor to the “Colombiano Coffee House” experience.

The advantages of “Colombiano Coffee House”, with regard to the Investor  are as follows:

We offer

• Two in One Concept
• Full Service OR a Self Service approach to customers
• Concept Standardization & Documentation advantage
• Standardized Store Design advantage
• Continuous Support
• Training & Training & Training & re-Training Support
• Freedom to Purchase various Raw material locally, with our support and from or approved suppliers.
• Advantage of a relatively low Construction cost of a typical coffee shop
• Flexible structure of the Franchise fees
• WIN-WIN attitude that we practice with “CCH” Franchisees

Why are you interested in franchising in Bulgaria?

Patrick Lahoud (PL):

Bulgaria has:

• A  strategic location in the center of  Europe.
• A high Tourist number in the country.

Bulgaria will have a brilliant future and we want to be a part of it

Are you planning further expansion in other countries? If yes, which?

Patrick Lahoud (PL): We look forward expanding in eastern & western Europe and the Mediterranean.

What are your expansion plans in Bulgaria?

Patrick Lahoud (PL): We look forward to working with Franchise consultants and to participate in the franchise exhibition in Sofia to promote the brand and find out the appropriate Franchisee

What’s the profile of the franchisee/Master Franchisor are you looking for?

Patrick Lahoud (PL): Regarding our business development model, we, at “Colombiano Coffee House” (“CCH”), are not interested to simply sell the “Colombiano Coffee House” franchise to the highest bidder.

We are rather interested in finding the appropriate strategic allies, dynamic partners and brands developers who have a clear vision for the growth of the business, in order to create a win – win situation for all, whereby both parties can help build the “Colombiano Coffee House” trade name successfully and further expand our Euro Latino / Spanish culture, and, thereby, generate the maximum profit possible to all concerned.

In this economic crisis, what are the main advantages of a franchise like yours?

The bistro/Coffee Shops business wasn’t affected seriously by the last and recent economical crisis, because the Bistros/ Cafes have the lowest average ticket that customers would pay, and by contrary in the time of crisis we faced increase in sales, because people would rather choose going to the lower average ticket restaurant than the higher ones.

Are you offering any services/support for international companies if they are willing to penetrate the Arabian, GCC, markets?

Yes, for sure.

We, as Accelerate S.A.L, are specialized in the franchise business in the MENA and GCC Region.

We are proposing our headquarters in Lebanon as a logistical platform for many international franchises, to benefit from our Franchise development experience in our region.

At present, we offer Operational, Technical, Financial, Marketing and Advertising professional services, in addition to the after sales Audit, Support and Re – Training.

Thank you very much.

Thanks to you Patrick! And good luck with your business in Bulgaria!

If you are interested in franchising with Colombiano Coffee House, or making business with Accelerate S.A.L., take a look to their franchising sheet.

Interview with Daniela Szczygieł from Pro-Bionica

Interview

Bulgaria Franchise Network: How and where started making business?

Daniela Szczygieł: Pro-Bionica was founded in 2005, in Chorzów, a city located in southern Poland. The company was established in response to a growing demand for quality and inexpensive prostheses for Polish amputees.

BFN: Why decided to start franchising?

DS: Because we think that a franchise is an good opportunity for development of our company. It is also an excellent chance to invest in a stable branch of industry, i.e. medicine. Pro-Bionica has made a success in Poland as it is innovative and competitive, and the same is possible in Bulgaria, in cooperation with a local franchisee.

BFN: How many franchises do you have?

DS: At the moment, we have no franchises.

BFN: What makes you different from other competitors?

DS: First and foremost, the prices of our products. We do not use ready-made prosthetic elements. We manufacture them from materials available on domestic market. Pro-Bionica managed to reduce the production costs by 50 %. Our competitors are unable to do it so dramatically as they buy mass-produced elements. What is more, prostheses from Pro-Bionica are innovative and of high quality. We constantly work on new technologies and patents.

BFN: Why are you interested in franchising in Bulgaria?

DS: Bulgaria is a rapidly growing and developing country. One can notice a great potential in Bulgaria’s medical market. Besides, the number of amputees who need modern and affordable prostheses is significant. Our Bulgarian franchisee could answer their need quickly and easily.

BFN: Are you planning further expansion in other countries? If yes, which?

DS: Yes, we are planning a further expansion. We would like to have franchises in several Balkan countries and in the Middle East.

BFN: What are your expansion plans in Bulgaria?

DS: We are planning to establish a prostheses manufacturing plant and a prostheses fitting centre. We are open to new ideas and market demands.

BFN: What’s the profile of the franchisee/Master Franchisor are you looking for?

DS: It would be good if we found a franchisee already acquainted with the medical market. However it is not required as we are going to train the franchisee in our strategies.

BFN: In this economic crisis, what are the main advantages of a franchise like yours?

DS: Our franchise is a proven concept. Pro-Bionica Europe operates in one of the most stable branches of medicine, i.e. prosthetics. There will always be people who need prostheses. It is safe to invest in this franchise, as different government offices, insurance companies and NGOs subsidize prosthetics. In Poland, the investment paid for itself in 18 months and until now it has been producing a high profit margin.

I warmly invite all who are interested in investments in medicine to contact our office.

For more information about franchising in Bulgaria with Pro-Bionica, take a look here.

Interview with Daren Carter (Contours Express)

Interview with Daren Carter (Contours Express)

In the following interview we share a few words with a leading entrepreneur who has been involved with franchising for a lot of time.

We hope it will be useful for all of you thinking about  starting your own company in Bulgaria.

We found his story really inspiring.

Thanks to Julia Fogle and Daren Carter for their time.

Biography

In 1984 Daren Carter, just two years out of high school, opened his first co-ed fitness center in Nicholasville, a small community in central Kentucky. With a very limited budget, success did not come right away. Daren and his partner worked intently on increasing their membership while at the same time spending off hours in seminars and workshops focusing on exercise and nutritional guidance. After several years his dedication began to pay off.

In the early 90’s Daren opened another co-ed facility, this one nearly five times larger than the original club. Daren’s success soon became known across the country as he began serving as consultant for centers throughout the USA. Even with his clubs and personal career thriving, Daren recognized that there was still an unmet need in the fitness industry.

He soon set out to develop a unique fitness center where women could feel comfortable. Based on his knowledge of physiology and many years of experience, Daren knew that the importance of weight-bearing equipment did not just apply to men. He decided to use similar equipment, scaled down to fit a woman’s body, so the value of the workout would not be compromised. The first Contours Express opened in August of 1998 in Nicholasville, Kentucky. Women would now be afforded the opportunity to choose a workout that included both positive and negative resistance. Since that time women nationwide have chosen the increased benefits offered by the Contours Express workout.

Under Daren’s leadership, Contours Express has expanded to more than 370 domestic locations and greater than 220 clubs in twenty additional countries. Daren currently serves as CEO of Contours Express, International.

Interview

Bulgaria Franchise Network: How and where started making business?

Daren Carter: Contours Express began in 1998 in Nicholasville, Kentucky, USA

BFN: Why decided to start franchising?

DC: First location did very well and was following model set by our competitors like Curves.

BFN: How many franchises do you have?

DC: 514

BFN: What makes you different from other competitors?

DC: We are the only women’s fitness circuit training franchise that offers real weights not hydraulics

BFN: Why are you interested in franchising in Bulgaria?

DC: We are currently in 27 countries and would like to continue to expand worldwide.

BFN: Are you planning further expansion in other countries? If yes, which?

DC: Yes, we are currently in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Guam, India, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and the United Kingdom so we are looking to expand in all countries where we do not have any gyms.

BFN: What are your expansion plans in Bulgaria?

DC: We would like to see a Master franchisor purchase the rights to Contours Express and open at least 5 gyms in the first two years.

BFN: What’s the profile of the franchisee/Master Franchisor are you looking for?

DC: Someone that has an interest in helping women, a hard worker and a knowledgeable business sense.

BFN: In this economic crisis, what are the main advantages of a franchise like yours?

DC: It is low cost and highly supported

BFN: Thank you very much, would you like to add something more?

DC: Our proven methods of operation allow our fitness centers to open in spaces as small as 1200 square feet (120 square meters) and be successful in any size town or city with a population of 7,000 or larger. The systems are easy to learn and follow, and are designed to make each franchise profitable in the shortest amount of time possible. As your support system our goal is your complete success, below are a few of the items you will be provided as a Contours Express owner:

• Use & License of Contours Express Brand
• Franchise Support Staff & Activities
• Annual Convention
• Individual Location Website
• Toll-Free Phone & Email Support
• Monthly Newsletters
• Web-Based Marketing Library
• Preferred Vendors / Negotiated Pricing
• Internal Marketing Promotions
• On-Site Marketing Specialist
• Monthly Marketing Calendar
• Quarterly Marketing Packages
• Access to our online library where we house 100’s of marketing pieces and ideas.

For more information about franchising in Bulgaria with Contour Express, take a look here.