Global Franchise plans 100 stores

Global Franchise Architects (GFA) aims to set up 100 outlets in India by March 2007 for its various brands such as Pizza Corner, Coffee World, New York deli, its sandwich chain, and Cream and Fudge Factory, its ice-cream restaurant chain.

Announcing the launch of its Coffee World outlet in Chennai, Anoop Sequeira, chief executive officer, Global Franchise Architects India Pvt Ltd, said the company had set a target of 80 Pizza Corner outlets, 15 Coffee World outlets, and five outlets for New York deli and Cream and Fudge Factory by the end of March 2007.

GFA has about 56 outlets in the country (49 Pizza Corner and 7 Coffee World outlets).

"The launch of outlets for New York deli and Cream and Fudge Factory has been slightly delayed. However, we expect to launch them by the third quarter of this fiscal," he added.

At present, GFA has about 56 outlets in the country (49 Pizza Corner and 7 Coffee World outlets). It is setting up two more Coffee World outlets in Mumbai.

Sequeira said the company would increase its outlets both through setting up company-owned and franchisee outlets. A 45-seater coffee lounge like the one launched in Chennai, would require an investment between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 45 lakh, including the franchisee fee, he added.

On the investments required for expansion, he said GFA had budgeted $3 million (about Rs 13. 8 crore) for scaling up Pizza Corner and Coffee World outlets through franchisee participation and for other expansion activities like establishing kitchen facility, during this fiscal.

Sequeira said the company was in the process of setting up its base kitchen, over 10,000 sq ft with an investment of Rs 60-75 lakh, in Peenya Industrial area, Pune. The facility is likely to be ready by August-end. The company already has a kitchen in Bangalore.

He said the company would also explore more corporate tie-ups and focus on smaller cities considering the fact that the retail market has matured in these locations. GFA India has tied up with Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL) for providing Tata Indicom's wi-fi service in Pizza Corner and Coffee World outlets.

GFA is a group based in Geneva (Switzerland) engaged in building, operating and franchising speciality retail brands.