Franchise Direct breaks ground in South Africa

Set up by Steve Huysamen as the country's premier battery franchise, Battery Clinic's latest outlet in Somerset West was acquired through Franchise Direct, embellishing its existing portfolio that includes sites in Pretoria and Durban.

Huysamen quickly decided to commence franchising his idea upon witnessing the success of his own outlets as well as the massive gap in the marketplace, enabling Battery Clinic to spread unchallenged across the country, diversifying to consolidate its hold on the market.

Electricity to trump petrol

Huysamen is adamant that the future bodes well for the franchise, given the proliferation of electric cars set to transpire over the coming years, seeing electricity trump petrol as the vehicular fuel of choice.

Franchise Direct launched its South African site in November 2012 and has already accrued a range of clients spanning various sectors of industry.

South African visitors to the site can search connect with international and local franchise visitors through the directory. The comprehensive information and multimedia centre provide an authoritative platform to research the legal and financial implications of starting a franchise business.

The company launched its first directory site in Dublin in 1998, before rapidly expanding into an authoritative, international brand.

Franchise Direct's South African director, Brian Rogan, formed part of a trade mission of 37 Irish companies to South Africa in November 2012. The trade mission was organised by Irish trade and technology agency Enterprise Ireland in close co-operation with Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Irish Embassy in Joburg.