BG Cleaning Systems Hires Sparkleminds For India Franchise Development and Master Franchise Recruitment.

eykjavik, Iceland- Bangalore, India- 19 July 2011.

Commercial Cleaning Franchise Company, BG Cleaning Systems, Iceland, has appointed India-based franchise consultants, Sparkleminds, to develop their franchising in India.

Sparkleminds (www.sparkleminds.com) is a specialized franchise consulting company offering international franchise companies seeking to enter India, complete start to end franchise consultancy services, beginning with localized franchise strategy, territory mapping, franchise agreement, trade mark registrations, franchise marketing, franchise recruitment, franchise trainings, franchise audits and other customized franchise solutions for international clients for over a decade now.

Benedikt Hjálmarsson, Founder and CEO of BG Cleaning Systems, says that it is their “goal to create a worldwide system for running successful and respectable cleaning businesses without the burden of having to pay high royalty and franchise fees. This would then give interested entrepreneurs around the world the opportunity to easily succeed in starting their own cleaning business ventures while we focus on keeping updated with the current trends in the art and science of the cleaning industry and training our franchisees to do this business flexibly, effectively and efficiently.”

He further states that he is excited about the work the team at Sparkleminds has put in to customize their business for India. He says, ‘we are now absolutely ready for India, with over the last couple of months going into the research and understanding of this business and localizing it for India. We are glad to have been working with Sparkleminds and have created a unique financial model, which will ensure that we keep the cost as low as possible, while we focus on approving the right profiles as franchisees for our India growth. In fact”, Mr. Hjálmarsson points out, “the huge difference in quality of services being offered presently vis-à-vis what the BG franchisees would be able to provide, as he experienced during his visit to India. Our frugal model, will ensure that we clean better, faster and with lesser people, saving time and costs for all”.

“The cleaning industry in India today is pegged around Rs 1000 Crores and has been consistently growing at a brisk rate of 30-40% CAGR. An increased focus from all kinds of corporations, small, medium and large, all seeking professional mechanized cleaning solutions, is bound to trigger an explosive growth in this segment. While franchisees of International companies like BG Cleaning systems, who have the systems, concepts, processes, and know-how to operate and deliver good quality services, are on the forefront of tapping this enormous opportunity. It definitely is the right time for entrepreneurs from across all cities and towns of India seeking service franchises to get into this commonly known recession-proof industry. To emphasize on the quality of the services, all BG Master and Unit franchises will be trained at their global headquarters for 2 weeks, in Iceland.

“We are very excited to launch the franchise marketing of the BG franchise at the Times Franchise Expo to be held at Pragati Maidan, Delhi on 23-24 July 2011. For the first time, BG Cleaning systems will be soliciting responses for India Master Franchises through this expo, wherein we will approve exclusive state development rights for the approved master franchises who will have to invest Rs 25 Lakhs and will have to operate one unit franchise themselves. We will then assist these master franchises to develop their territory by appointing further unit franchises who will come in with an initial investment of 12 Lakhs”, says Mr. Nahar.

About BG Cleaning Systems:

BG Cleaning systems (www.bgcleaning.net) founded in 1995 in Reykjavik, is a multifaceted global cleaning services company that caters to all types of facilities with all kinds of cleaning needs. The company services some of the largest corporations, public and private institutions, establishments, insurance companies, supermarkets, shipping lines, airline servicing companies, homeowners’ associations and offer a wide range of cleaning solutions – from regular janitorial cleaning services to special cleaning services, i.e., floor maintenance, insurance-related clean up, construction clean up, general cleaning, window washing, carpet care, and more.

Shah Rukh Khan acquires 26% stake in KidZania

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan has acquired 26 per cent strategic stake in the Indian franchise of KidZania, an international chain of family entertainment centres. The $3.5-billion Comcraft Group, which holds the franchise for Kidzania in India, had been scouting for a significant minority investor to add value to the Indian project and decided to bring the Bollywood star on board, Economic Times reported, citing people familiar with the development.

"He brings strategic value to the deal in that he is a brand himself," said an official with knowledge of the deal. The Comcraft Group is owned by NRI Chandaria family with diverse interests in about 40 countries across the globe.

Mexico-based KidZania is an interactive family entertainment centre or indoor park that allows children between 5 and 13 age group to role-play adult occupations in a miniature city. It has activities designed to mimic real-life and functioning economy.

The more than Rs 100-crore "edutainment centre" project will unveil its first leg in India in 2012 at R City Mall in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area. The centre will be spread over more than 70,000 square feet. Similar edutainment centres are also likely to be opened later in Delhi and Bangalore.

Source : Franchise Plus

Landmark eyes $68 million plan to expand restaurant portfolio

Foodmark, the food and beverage arm of leisure and retail giant Landmark Group, is planning to have 100 restaurants in its portfolio by 2015. Having opened six new outlets in the past six months across the GCC, a further five new outlets will open before the end of 2011, the company said in a statement.

To reach 100 restaurants by 2015 Foodmark will invest in excess of AED250 million ($68 million), on top of the previously invested AED100 million to open the first 25 outlets.

Most recent openings include popular Italian chain Carluccio's in Kuwait and Qatar and Thai eatery Mango Tree in Qatar.

In addition to these, Foodmark's own brand Zafran has now opened in Kuwait, offering contemporary Indian cuisine, the company added.

The latest opening is in Dubai, with Chinese inspired Chi'Zen now open in Mall of Emirates following its growing popularity in Festival City.

Plans are in place to open an additional outlet in Doha, Qatar later in 2011, Foodmark said.

Naveed Dowlatshahi, general manager of Foodmark, said: "Foodmark's success in the UAE and GCC has been consistently growing year-on-year, and we continue the search for not only perfect venues and ideal locations but the ideal people to run those outlets.

"We are delighted to be launching the second and third Chi'Zen restaurants in Mall of Emirates and Kuwait, where our other outlets Mango Tree, Zafran and Carluccio's have already been extremely well received.

"It is an exciting time for us, and we look forward to developing the Foodmark brand significantly in the coming years."

Since forming in 2009, Foodmark now employs more than 700 members of staff across three countries.

KidzArt signs franchise agreements to expand into Saudi Arabia, Malta

KidzArt, the leading art franchise worldwide, announced its continued expansion with two new franchise partners signing on in Saudi Arabia and Malta. Responding to an increase in demand for children’s creative educational services, KidzArt has added a dozen new franchises internationally in the past two years.

“The KidzArt franchise business has expanded to all corners of the world to help develop children’s creativity and expression,” says KidzArt CEO Sue Bartman. “Our ‘no mistakes’ philosophy and right brain thinking approach encourage children to explore their imaginations without inhibition. People around the globe recognise that children with creative thinking skills possess a mindset that will thrive in our fast-changing world.”

KidzArt provides fine arts classes for children of all ages and has a philosophy based on using right brain skills to develop creativity. With 11 new franchises opening in the Middle East and southeast Asia in the past two years, KidzArt’s development in these areas is not a coincidence. To prepare for the global economy, a new generation of parents is advocating that their children expand their creative thinking skills to develop their resourcefulness, imagination and originality.

In Malta, educators Philip and Simone Stilon will open the first European KidzArt franchise this summer. With the strong instructional background, the Stilons embrace the concept that learning should not be a chore but a pleasure and art can open children’s eyes to the world as well as their minds and hearts.

“The KidzArt programme offers so much excitement, colour, creativity and endless opportunities for all ages,” say Philip and Simone Stilon. “We are pleased to bring KidzArt and its unique art concepts to Malta.”

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Lite Bite Foods to open outlets in Singapore, Bangkok

Indian restaurant chain Lite Bite Foods will open an outlet each in Singapore and Bangkok, as part of its overseas expansion plan. The chain's overseas expansion would initially be driven through the franchisee route.

Lite Bite, promoted by Dabur India vice-chairman Amit Burman and entrepreneur Rohit Aggarwal, is also looking at options in London, Dubai, Hong Kong and Macau.

"We have finalised partners in Singapore and Bangkok and are evaluating other places. This will be the first time any Indian restaurant chain will venture overseas," Burman told Economic Times. The chain's overseas expansion would initially be driven through the franchisee route, with investments coming from partners and Lite Bite taking care of the management and driving profits, Burman said.

The company, which is the largest franchiser for fast-food chain Subway in India, has close to 50 outlets across the country and aims to grow to 200 outlets over the next three years.

Lite Bite plans to utilise its Indian cuisine brands 'Punjab Grill' and 'Zambar' for its overseas expansion.

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