This category, sponsored by The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), focuses on the need to empower the small business sector and encourages the franchise ethic in our emerging markets. 

WINNER CAPTAIN DOREGO’S FORGES AHEAD WITH EMPOWERMENT PLANS

Captain DoRego’s, with its 59 vibrant new look stores situated in high traffic areas is fast becoming the fast food of choice for the thousands of mostly black customers who flock to buy from their wide variety of food items ranging from chicken, fish & chips, burgers and sandwiches.  As the black community strongly associates with the brand, it is attracting emerging entrepreneurs as franchisees who are well known and respected in their communities.
According to Gerald Brown, Managing Director of Captain DoRego’s, the group is making strong inroads into the emerging market. “We are committed to empower and promote financial independence in the communities we serve – whether it be through job creation, the development of entrepreneurial skills and opportunities for self employment.  As we expand into more and more areas, we identify the potential in the market and develop the entrepreneurial skills of potential franchisees through mentor driven training and strong financial and operations support.”

Captain DoRego’s community involvement is also fundamental to the success of its stores, with each outlet undertaking numerous social responsibility initiatives – from supplying food to old age homes, street kid shelters to sponsoring local soccer and other sporting teams.
The runners-up in this category were:

HOT DOG CAFÉ

Hot Dog Café pride themselves in being one of the few franchise companies committed
to developing entrepreneurial skills amongst the youth by selecting, training, mentoring and funding young black South Africans.  To support the success of these cadets Hot Dog Café has developed a range of franchise options – from the cart concept outside busy commercial centres, dedicated counters inside BP South Africa petrol stations and forecourts, the traditional E-Diner and a new, more affordable prototype of the E-diner.

BUTTERFIELD

Butterfield established its brand more than 13 years ago and continues to set the standard in the retail bakery industry with over 100 franchised bakeries.  With more than a 50% BEE component Butterfield is in the forefront in developing emerging entrepreneurs – whether it be franchisees or through their institutional bakeries run by the community for the community