Could you share a mission to offer restaurant quality food served fast at competitive prices and with exceptional customer service? Check out Fogo Brazilia…

1. Tell us about the business

Our business is based upon Brazilian inspired meals, ranging from the traditional churrasco cooked marinated meats through to salmon, burgers, rolls and wraps.

The franchisees in our business enjoy the benefits of operating in a food court/centre giving them the typical 9-5 day, enabling them to go home to family providing a great work/life balance.

Franchisees are required to work in the business a minimum 45 hours per week which, in turn, lowers staff wages, enables them to closely monitor day to day operations and promote sales growth.

2. Tell us why Fogo is a good business venture

Fogo is a great brand to consider as firstly we are a unique offering being the only Brazilian churrasco experience in a typical food court. Our year-on-year growth for the brand has been 40 percent, and our entry point has proven to be one of, if not, the cheapest in the quick service restaurant space at about $275,000 net out of pocket for a brand new store.

Added to this is a relatively cheap 5 percent royalty and 2 percent marketing fee.

Training is essential but there is no further cost to the franchisee and we require a minimum four weeks duration not 10 weeks like some competitors.

Support is provided by owners/stakeholders who regularly visit franchisees making it a much closer relationship between franchisee and franchisor, and as mentioned earlier, the flexible hours of a food court are an added bonus for the franchisee.

3. What are you looking for in a franchisee?

We don’t just accept anyone who flashes cash. We recruit with a lot of things in mind.

• Will they be active in the business?

• Do they have some customer service background (food experience preferred but not essential)?

• Have they worked in a fast paced environment?

• Are they familiar with a franchise model, its compliance requirements and brand expectations?

• Have they experienced our food?

We at Fogo understand our franchisees are the heart and soul to our business and recruit high quality candidates which will ultimately result in  brand longevity and growth.

4. Why is this a good market to invest in?

The challenge in the food sector is its sheer abundance. In a food court your competitor is literally attached to you.

We need a point of difference to make customers choose us. Our unique store designs, restaurant quality healthy food offerings, Brazilian atmosphere and extremely competitive price points have led to our success. We are also a unique offering with barriers to entry relatively high.

Our directors are in stores daily offering support, ideas, a set of hands etc to franchisees and that helps to overcome any obstacles that may come our way.

• You can find out more about how the Fogo Brazilia franchise works if you pop into the Sydney Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo at the ICC at Darling Harbour on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 March 2017. Visit www.franchisingexpo.com.au and use the code FMG to book your FREE ticket to the event.