Ask the Franchise Experts

Eric has garnered a wealth of franchising experience as a former Marketing Director of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and co-founder of Nando’s. His involvement in the franchising sector included extensive involvement with FASA as a past Chairman of the organisation. He was appointed as the Director of the Deloitte & Touche Franchising Division in 1998. Eric has also authored books on entrepreneurship. As a partner in Franchising Plus, Eric is mainly responsible for the crafting of strategic plans for franchise organisations and facilitation of strategic planning. He is a sought-after public speaker and has appeared as guest speaker at many franchising events.

Sasha-Lee has a Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship.  She has also completed an Undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Entrepreneurship and Business Management in addition to a NQF Level 5 Project Management qualification. She completed a course on managing Franchisee Performance as a Field Service Consultant and modelling for analysts and accountants. As a partner at Franchising Plus, Sasha-Lee has worked on various commercial and social projects across several different industries, Mentorship and Consulting to SME’S, Insurance, Business to Business and Education. She has been involved in project management and mentoring for small businesses as part of the Supplier Development Mentorship Programme/Initiative.

After gaining an honours degree in marketing from University of Pretoria, Annie Baptiste joined Deloitte in 1999 as a franchising consultant.

During her time there she also imparted her precious knowledge and began training franchising staff and franchisees on business skills. Within this niche, is Annie’s passion and her forte.

Maria is a director of D’Amico Incorporated Attorneys. She completed her BA (LLB) at Wits in 1987 and qualified as a Solicitor (United Kingdom) in 2000. Shortly after completing her 2 years articles, she went into practice for her own account in December 1990, then six months later went into a partnership which was dissolved in August 1995, when she assumed control of the company which was renamed D’Amico Incorporated. Maria specialises in Commercial Law (agreements), Franchising Law and High Court Litigation.

Jessica has a background in Financial Management. In her current position as a Credit Analyst, she has the job of finding the best possible funding options for a business, based on its individual requirements. This has given her a unique insight into the alternative business lending industry, and a good view of what lenders expect from businesses seeking funding.

Eamonn Ryan is a Johannesburg-based writer who has a background in law and business journalism. He has written on the franchising industry for many years, and also having been Editor of several magazines – Civil Engineering Contractor, Quarry SA, Plumbing Africa and SA Affordable Housing – as well as Business Editor of Finweek, he has particular insight into franchising in many different industries and trades. He currently writes for several South African and overseas journals too.