Seda boosts franchise entrepreneurship through cadet scheme training

The initiative saw 20 matriculants receiving the training that will enable them to open their own Hot Dog Café franchises or be employed within the brand.

The first of these young entrepreneurs graduated this week and several will have more to celebrate as they could soon own their own businesses within the brand's franchising solution.

Candidates were selected to undergo two weeks of intensive classroom training in business management at the franchise's Centurion training facility and at the company-owned diners. Ten trainees then entered a six-month management training program, where they gained valuable work experience. Having successfully completed the management training, candidates will now be given the opportunity to purchase diner franchises or extend their experience by working within the brand.

The remaining ten entered into a cart training system during which they received training on an entry-level franchise cart operation over a period of six months. Mandated to boost youth participation in the mainstream economy, the Umsobomvu Youth Fund, together with Massmart Limited, will provide funding that will see eligible candidates have the opportunity to purchase entry-level franchises through the Massmart Umsobomvu Youth Enterprise Development Fund. The top cadet will be awarded R50 000, which must be employed as seed capital to purchase a Hot Dog Café franchise.

Massmart, and specifically its Builders Warehouse brand, has further ensured the success of the program by providing sites where these aspiring entrepreneurs can open their hot dog operations rent free. This contribution allows the budding entrepreneurs to direct the funds generated from their businesses into repaying business loans.

“In an environment where business sectors are grappling with the logistics of applying BBBEE in the context of scorecard requirements, especially those that relate to enterprise and skills development, franchising offers some of the most ideal business opportunities as a BBBEE solution,” says Hotdog Café's Derek Smith.

Louis Nhlapo, Franchise Specialist at Seda, was instrumental in the planning and support of the scheme; “Our experience in the field and through our branches countrywide showed us that we needed to do more than just educate and advise people about franchising and small business development. We needed to spearhead projects that would not only train and mentor, but which would ultimately provide entrepreneurial opportunities. This initiative using the Hot Dog Café franchising model is a long-term project that can expand to include many other business opportunities.”