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 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.

Colombiano Coffee House

Colombiano Coffee House is based on a mythical and Old love story that brought together Coco from Costa Rica, her Grand Mama Lomalita & the love of her heart, the Italian gentleman Fabiano, and helped create Co.Lom.Biano , by the joining of their names (for more information about our love story, pls visit our website at www.colombianocoffeehouse.com)

Whether serving 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”) , our Euro Latino / Spanish image always adds a unique flavor to the coffee house experience.

In practice, one of our various advantages is that we can be considered as being a “two in one” concept, instead of just being just a Coffee Shop or a Tea shop or a Donut shop:

• We offer an extensive experience in the Coffee & Beverage category like other super well known coffee shop concepts.

• We also offer an extensive experience in the Sandwiches and Salads category like other super well known Sandwich & Salads outlets.

• For more information about the conditions you can take a look to these documents:
  • Introduction.
  • Franchise Information Memorandum.

Colombiano Coffee House
Contact data
Address	Beirut - Lebanon
Web	www.colombianocoffeehouse.com
Email	pl@colombianocoffeehouse.com
Phone	+961 1 285 080
Fax	+961 1 284 930
Contact person	Mr. Patrick Lahoud
Franchises in Bulgaria	0
Owned in Bulgaria	0
Total in Bulgaria	0
Costs
Total Investment	100.000$ - 300.000$/Per Shop
Franchise Fee part 1	Multi- Unit(territory) fee: 150.000$(for 1 to 5 shops)
Franchise Fee part 2	opening, operation & administration fee 30 000$/per shop
Ongoing royalty fee	7.5% of gross sales
Marketing fee	0% of sales to Franchisor- 5 % of gross sales , recommended to be spent by Franchisee on local store marketing
Term of agreement	10 years renewable
PoS requirements
Surface	100 - 300 square meters
Special requirements
Min. Population	50.000 people/outlet
More information
Country of origin	Colombiano Coffe House is based on mythical Love story originating in Costa Rica
First establishment	UK - Lebanon
First franchise	Lebanon
Establishments (total)	15 shops
Franchises (total)	3 (Lebanon - UAE - Qatar)

Pro-Bionica

The Franchisor talks

Until 2005, amputees in Poland had believed that obtaining a professional, well fitted prosthesis posed a problem because of high costs. For this reason, Probionica engineers, technicians and physicians spared no effort to design a prosthetic limb which would be light and inexpensive at the same time. The results of their work were beyond all expectations. The team created a modern prosthesis which enables the person who wears it to be active and enjoy his or her life to the full.

We wish to offer you the opportunity to introduce the “Walk Lightly, Feel Free” project in Bulgaria. Our specialists will provide you with our entire intellectual property, the know-how about the prostheses production methods, staff training and marketing strategies.
Relying on our previous experience of setting up a prosthesis production in Poland, we would be happy to introduce similar solutions abroad. Our aim is to establish a facility of the same kind as in Poland, in cooperation with our Bulgarian partner.
The project is an excellent opportunity for investment in medicine and has virtually no disadvantages. It is highly beneficial both for you as the investor and for the people who, thanks to your activity, will remain their dignity and happiness. It should be especially emphasized that investment in this branch of medicine, i.e. prosthetics, does not create any risk of failure due to the current economic crisis, as it is one of the few areas of the global market which are likely to remain safe for investors.
We intend to work with local investors and train local staff, as it is clear that expatriate personnel increases the production costs. We shall organize professional training for technicians and familiarize them with the procedures of fitting and making lower-limb prostheses. What is more, we will assist in the process of establishing the plant, and devise effective marketing strategies.
If you decide to cooperate with Pro-Bionica, you will have a unique chance to invest in a new business opportunity or expand your already existing medical activity. In any of these cases, you are sure to achieve a gradual, certain economic success.

You can get more information in the company brochure, just click here.

Pro-Bionica
Contact Data
Addres:	Pl. Powstancow Sl. 1, 41-500 Chorzow, Poland
Web:	www.probionica.pl
Email:	probionica.europe@wp.pl
Phone:	(+48)322411695
Fax:	(+48)322411695
Contact Person:	Ms. Daniela Szczygiel
Bulgaria
Franchises in Bulgaria:	0
Owned in Bulgaria:	0
Total in Bulgaria:	0
Costs
Total investment:	120,000 €
Franchise Fee:	30,000 €
Ongoing royalty fee:	5% (monthly)
Marketing fee:	No
Term of agreement:	5years
Others:	90,000 Euro, including machinery, trainings and marketing services
PoS Requirements
Surface:	Min. 150 square meters
Special requirements:	The facility needs to be adapted for disabled people
Min. Population:	No
International
Country of origin:	Poland
First establishment (year):	1995
First franchise:	1998
Establishments (total):	3
Franchises (total):	1

Fornetti will open a 6 million euros production plant in Bulgaria

Through Seenews (quoting Pari) we know Fornetti plans to make an investment of 6 million € along this year, in autumn, to build a factory. It will be located close to Sofia, in Ihtiman.

This won’t be a surprise for our readers, because we talked about this in our report about franchising in Bulgaria.

All of you who read it will know Fornetti is a leading Hungarian company in the pastry food. Its main competitor is Lakis (its Bulgarian equivalent). If you didn’t know this (or rembered) you can check again our report, in the Fast Food section.

Original news source: Seenews.

Coldwell Banker

 

The Franchisor talks

COLDWELL BANKER is the world’s highest revenue generating real estate service brand and twelfth overall amongst franchised businesses pursuant to Franchise Times rankings. The system offers prospective local investors an array of patented programs and packages which distinguishes its affiliates from others in the industry, and therefore helps increase market share standing in any local market. The COLDWELL BANKER system is built on specialization, where specific service lines are independently divested. COLDWELL BANKER network is comprised of 3600 offices and 110,000 sales associates, all of whom are integrated in a powerful global system, which is tailored to support international business, and affiliations with top organizations, who very much trust our brand. For investors seeking a highly profitable business with high equity appreciation potential and flexible means for inexpensive expansion, our franchise programs shall surely capture your interest.

Coldwell Banker
Contact Data
Addres: 66 Zahrat el Maadi Tower Cairo, Egypt
Web: www.cb-ia.com
Email: mohamed.amin@cb-ia.com
Phone: +20225258111
Fax:  + 20225258666
Contact Person: Mohamed Amin
Bulgaria
Franchises in Bulgaria: 0
Owned in Bulgaria: 0
Total in Bulgaria: 0
Costs
Total investment: 2 million Euros
Franchise Fee: Negotiable
Ongoing royalty fee: available upon request
Marketing fee: available upon request
Term of agreement: 20 years for exclusive partners

Contours Express

The Franchisor talks

We began franchising in 1998 in the United States, and internationally in 2003.  We currently have over 500 franchises, with almost 200 franchises in the US, and over 300 franchises internationally in 27 different countries including 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- and we are expanding rapidly worldwide!  Women across the world, many whom have never even been to a gym before, are embracing our concept.

Contours Express is a ladies only fitness club that offers women both a comfortable and fun place to exercise and easy to follow weight loss program.  The exercise program only takes 29 minutes, three days per week. Our clubs are especially designed for women, regardless of their skill level, who prefer to exercise in comfort and privacy.  Club members receive personal attention and enjoy fun social experience as they realize their fitness and weight loss goals.  Our unique selling points include.

Our business model focuses on a huge and unserved market with little competition.  Our competition is not a full service coed gym.  Our franchisees’ customers include an enormous market sector of women who would not visit a full service coed gym.  Most Contours Express members have never exercised before, are older, or simply prefer to exercise in a comfortable, fun environment where they receive personal attention and full support to meet and exceed their fitness and weight loss goals. Our franchise offers a fitness program that is safe, fun, effective, which alternates between cardio vascular (aerobic) exercise and weight training.  All of our equipment is specially designed to better fit a woman’s body and our program also allows women of all skill levels to exercise together in a positive and supportive environment.  Our weight loss program stands alone as effective, safe, and thorough.  We do not rely on the use of drugs, chemicals, or fad technique diets. Instead, we offer a trusted and proven program that works!

The cost to purchase a franchise and enter into your own business is extremely low in comparison to the cost of starting your own business independently.  Not to mention, out initial start-up costs are extremely low compared to the costs of other franchises.  The costs include a full training course, equipment, wall charts, and cue tapes.  A franchisee would expect to spend between $30,000 and $50,000 to become fully operational and can become profitable in as little as four months.  The royalty payments are not only low, but are fixed.  Therefore, you do not pay for your success—you keep your profit.

Contours Express
Contact Data
Addres:	156 Imperial Way Nicholasville, Kentucky 40356 USA
Web:	www.ContoursExpressIntl.com
Email:	Julia@ContoursExpressIntl.com
Phone:	+1 859 241 2230
Fax:	+1 859 241 2234
Contact Person:	Julia Fogle
Bulgaria
Franchises in Bulgaria:	0
Owned in Bulgaria:	0
Total in Bulgaria:	0
Costs
Total investment:	$50,000 USD
Franchise Fee:	$35,500 USD
Ongoing royalty fee:	$395 a month (Fixed)
Marketing fee:	0
Term of agreement:	10 years
Others:
PoS Requirements
Surface:	120 square meters
Special requirements:	None
Min. Population:	10 000
International
Country of origin:	United States
First establishment (year):	1995
First franchise:	1998
Establishments (total):	1
Franchises (total):	500

Useful articles about franchising in Bulgaria

Despite information about franchises in Bulgaria is scarce and difficult to find (at least, it was before our arrival) we can find several articles and webs which could be useful for those of you interested in having more information about this topic.

Information is power, so let’s go:

History

Bulgaria Country Commercial Guide FY2001: Franchising Market

Factbook

In this article dated on 2001 we can find a good briefing about the situation of franchising in those years. It is a good option if you want to know more about the development of the sector. However, the most interesting part in the history of franchises in Bulgaria starts in 2006, with the opening of the two first shopping centers in the country (Mall of Sofia and City Center, both in Sofia).

BULFA (Old website)

There are several good articles in the old website of the Bulgarian Franchise Association, concerning the first franchises which entered into the bulgarian market and general information about the country. The page was last updated in 2002.

Nowadays

Bulgaria–bullish on franchising: Bulgaria’s franchise market is still mostly unexplored and untapped

By Miroslava Marinova, research analyst at FRANdata.

A very good article, containing some of the most interesting topics about franchising in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria – Franchising

Please, note this link goes to a .doc file (Doc type of Microsoft Word)

US Commercial Service

In this short but good article we can find the most well-known brands and the best developing sectors concerning franchises.

BULFA - Current site

And last, but not least, the current website of Bulfa. Last year they organized a seminar (”Franchising days in Bulgaria”) and they are preparing an event for the next september. Currently, the website needs a lot of work in order to improve the information availability, but it is an interesting site. We hope they start updating more frequently.

So, that’s all by the moment. We hope to be able to find more information for you in the future, and if someone of you is interested in sending us more data we would share with the rest of the people.

Our business consists in reaching the most of people with the biggest amount of relevant information, we are not interested in hiding nothing!

Image: Gordasm

Franchises in Bulgaria: the report

Here you can find the most complete documentation about franchising in Bulgaria. 

• The first franchises appeared in Bulgaria in the 70s, but was in the mid-90s when the industry began to develop more strongly.
• Today, franchising is becoming the trend in some sectors, such as in the real estate agencies.
• In many sectors are already present major franchises (or chains that do not use franchise) international, which has not avoid the continued existence of some fairly strong local franchises.
• Despite the above, a large portion of the population is still unaware of this system, in part because of the limited information available.
• The franchising information is scarce and is highly fragmented. The data offered by the Bulgarian Association of Franchises (BULFA) are not very up-to-date and there is an Internet portal or a magazine specializing in the style of other countries that combine a reliable register of the master franchise available in the country.
• BULFA is undertaking initiatives in this direction, but there are still significant efforts to   do, therefore, there is a market for niche publications, consulting firms and Internet portals interested in getting a development of the franchise save to a level closest to that of other European countries.
• A large part of the master franchise is in the hands of Greek companies.
• The attraction of Bulgaria has increased a lot with its entry into the European Union, which attracted more investment and franchising. In the next few years will continue installing important chains of the most renowned brands.

First Part: Coffeehouses

 

Second Part: Fast Food

 

Third Part: Commerce

 

Fourth Part: Services

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