A compound of the words ‘charity snack’, the ChariSnack brand that taps into two rapidly growing trends: ethical retailing and healthy eating.
Franchisees distribute a range of healthy snacks to their marketplace – which can cover, among others, offices, factories, banks, shops and schools – and 10% of the money paid for stock goes to the National Blind Children’s Society.
Snacks such as dried fruit, nuts, seeds, Caribbean mix and Bombay mix are all sold for £1 each.
The franchisee simply leaves a point-of-sale display box containing the snacks and returns to collect the takings on a regular basis.
I asked the company’s Commercial Director Matt Baines about the franchise.
MATT BAINES
What sets ChariSnack apart from other franchises?
Matt: It’s a very easy to run and enjoyable business – and rewarding in more ways than just financially. We’re dealing with products that are very much in demand; most people are aware of the need to eat more healthily and lead a healthier lifestyle.
Also, there’s the fact that we get our franchises off to a flying start, setting up and securing their first 150 customers. It’s an instant business with instant income, and obviously you have residual sales from those same customers every week, throughout the year.
What do you look for in franchisee?
Matt: Someone with drive, determination and a will to succeed. No previous experience is required, and it appeals to and is suitable for men, women or couples. We need someone with enthusiasm, and who enjoys getting out and meeting people – building customer relations.
What obligations do the franchisees have to observe?
Matt: We have corporate clothing they have to wear. They have to observe health and safety, observe sell-by dates and actually represent the ChariSnack brand, as well as Julian Graves Ltd and the NBCS (the National Blind Children’s Society).
I’m guessing the hours are pretty regular?
Matt: The beauty of our franchise is that because we take snacks into the workplace, the franchisees can only really operate when offices are open, i.e. nine to five o’clock. Because there are so few overheads there’s minimal administration to do, so the franchisee has evenings and weekends to themselves, for family life or other interests.
Every franchisor has stories of difficulties with franchisees. Why do things go wrong sometimes?
Matt: The main reason, on which most franchisors would agree, would be franchisees not putting 100% into their business and expecting to have a successful business on part-time hours.
Your website says you give initial and ongoing training. I’m interested in what the ongoing training consists of…
Matt: Franchisees receive a lot of field training. We give all the franchisees what we call a ‘weekly call’, which is passing on best tips and practices from around the network; we send out regular newsletters and have frequent business reviews; and we have various incentive promotions going on from time to time.
