First ever Chairman for FASA

His appointment comes at a time when the country needs to grow its economic base on every front, particularly in the small business sector. It was established as the franchising sector in South Africa was finding its feet. Today the GDP contribution of the franchising industry is estimated at almost 10%, with an excess of 620 franchised systems operating and over 31 000 franchised businesses countrywide who, in turn employ about 323 500 people in the sector.

In his address at the FASA AGM, Baladakis said he intended to build on the work done by the association over the 36 years of its existence. "As a franchisee that has benefited from the opportunities that franchising afforded me in the field of entrepreneurship and job creation, I look forward to bringing a different perspective to FASA and being the voice of entrepreneurs who start new concepts and the 30 000+ franchisees who play such an important role in franchising and contribute to our economy.

"When one considers that franchising internationally, in countries like the US, Canada, Australia etc., is involved in up to 75 business sectors - then South Africa, where franchising is found in only 17 business sectors - has barely scratched the surface. On the other hand, consider franchising's contribution to South Africa's GDP; it surpasses that of mining & quarrying (4.9%), and agriculture, foresting & fishing at 4.9% - therefore the influence of franchising on the South African economy cannot be underestimated."

South Africa can be proud to hold the torch for franchising not only in South Africa but for Africa as a whole. FASA, as the oldest internationally recognised franchise association on the continent, has been responsible for the rollout of ethical franchising in South Africa since 1979. Political isolation in the 80s encouraged homegrown concepts; the result is a buoyant local franchise industry, many of whom have successfully been "exported" abroad.

In his role as Chairman, he hopes to be a beacon for entrepreneurship, franchising and small business development that needs to be nurtured and grown to become a driving force in our future economy.

"The establishment of a Small Business Ministry is a welcome government initiative but, with the high failure rate of independent businesses (around 90% in the first few years), we know the Ministry is looking at successful franchise models as a sound way to get the masses involved in business. Easing the red tape around setting up and running a small business and giving incentives to entrepreneurs to start new concepts that will ensure skills transfer and job creation will go a long way to ensuring that the small business sector thrives."

FASA projects

FASA's projects for the year include some ground-breaking initiatives, amongst them:

• FASA has applied to the Minister of the dti to have its code accredited under Part B, Section 82 of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, as an accredited industry Ombud. The Association has therefore also moved to establish the Franchise Industry Ombud as a company not for gain.
  
• Accreditation of FASA as a professional body through SAQA
  
• An allocation from the Jobs Fund initiative for the promotion of business development and job creation
  
• Investigating the viability of introducing Social Franchising as a viable option for the African economy - where the not-for-profit public/private partnership can solve some of the country's service delivery challenges whilst assisting in skills transfer, entrepreneurship and job creation
  
• Establishing the Pan African Franchise Federation in 2013 with the aim of furthering the cause of franchising on the African continent and assist countries to establish franchise associations in their own respective industries/countries
  
• Conducting annual surveys of the franchise sector
  
• Promoting franchising through its many events such as the International Franchise & Entrepreneurial Expo (IFE) which takes place from 16-18 April 2015, the annual Franchise Convention (15 April 2015), FASA's Awards for Excellence in Franchising, monthly networking breakfasts and the publication of its Franchise & Supplier manuals.