Franchising in TRNC

tommy13


Joined: 29/04/2009
Posts: 979

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 01:01

Just want to get your views please , can you guys tell me which franchises out of the following lists you would most like to see in trnc and those u would frequent , would really appreciate the feeedback /

Baskin Robbins , Yogen Fruz , Krispy Kreme , Carl Juniors , Hardees , Johnny Rockets , Buddha Bar , tie rack , swatch , papa johns , chillis restaurant , cinnabons . tgi fridays , pizza express , nathans famous hot dogs . wendys, costa coffee , starbucks , subway, dairy queen . arbys . You may not have heard of all of them , but your comments would be very helpful thnx

TheSaints



Joined: 28/01/2009
Posts: 1369

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 01:10

None, but a Cyclone franchise might do well your Dubai investors might appreciate that one (lol) oh forgot there is lots of them already.

With the taxes and import duties none of the above would be the same as we know them in the rest of the world. So I suppose Costa Coffee (costa lot).

tommy13


Joined: 29/04/2009
Posts: 979

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 01:15

haha , yes many mini cyclones here in trnc ,, thnx for comments anyways

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 15:23

Subway - if you can get ham and salami.

TGI Fridays - if you can get pork ribs.

How about Bakers Oven/Greggs?

How about a Rib & Fries Shack?

How about a DIY BBQ, Australian style?

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 15:26

M&S, Debehams, Macdonalds, TGI Fridays, starbucks, and if poss 1 fine dining restaurant..oh and starbucks..Harrods would be nice too and Harvey Nicks and John Lewis..infact all the shops from back in the UK Just not all the ppl

ClaireCat44



Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 739

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 15:42

I agree 100% with the last message!!!! I'd also like a large Boots, please!

Jimmyboy63


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 400

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 15:51

If that's what you want why don't you go live in the South!

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 16:10

Tommy13, I would like to wish you good luck with your project and don't be offended when I say that I wouldn't want any of them.



I love Subway, John Lewis and TGI's (I don't know the others you mentioned... must have been here too long) but that's what makes them even more special when I go to UK because I can't get them here!



Hope all goes well for you as the entertainment side of your project sounds super, as per your other thread.

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 16:22

Jimmy now why would I want to go and live in the south, incidentally I did live there a few years ago..so no need for your aggression ..we are supposed to be being nice.

keithr


Joined: 20/08/2008
Posts: 720

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 16:23

None of them. I came to live here to get away from all that American style crap. Keep it there,not here !!!!

jimmyG


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 900

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 17:21

Got to agree with keithr & my namesake boy63 - we don't need them

madmazz


Joined: 14/01/2009
Posts: 82

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 17:31

Don't think you would get any of them here with the TRNC not being recognised - but out of that lot, krispy kreme (custard filled chocolate topped- heaven) would be my choice!!

tommy13


Joined: 29/04/2009
Posts: 979

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 17:38

Hmm ok guys very interesting comments ... thnx for sharing them with me , its a hard one , because the britts have had enough of them and like the fact theyre away from them brands , buit the TC's are franchise hungry as theyve been deprived of them ,, , so far both gloria jeans and burger city , are both doing great as businesses and are the only franchises available here ,, r u guys saying u or your kids never use birger city ?

tommy13


Joined: 29/04/2009
Posts: 979

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 17:42

madmazz , ur generally right , and most will not come here , but some can do it , if it doesnt exist in the south for example , we have already signed contracts for 3 well known brands , so it is possible

Chegwin


Joined: 24/03/2009
Posts: 775

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 17:44

Cyclone closed a while back!!

What about a hardware store franchise? Ace/Machinemart springs to mind but they do want a Million $ min investment, so the Ace website says and most stuff is available and becoming more readily available here as the market demands increase, Yavas. New Marshalls popping up everywhere. We can buy ice cream, coffee, burgers and ties now, supporting and strengthening the local economy. I just don’t think the time is right for massive investments as you suggest but, hey! Those who snooze loose, right?

Franchises are fine but I really think that the main appeal of the TRNC is its infancy and idiosyncratic ways that make it appealing, for me anyway. I do slow nowadays. If we wanted door to door "just like the UK" or Europe we would have stayed there!

Like I said in another post the appeal for me is it’s like Spain 35 years ago. A delightful challenge to get things done if you can manage the self control and chill. Everything gets done, InshAllah.



Chegwin

madmazz


Joined: 14/01/2009
Posts: 82

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 17:47

Thanks Tommy13, good luck...........



ps If its krisy kremes then very very very good luck!!!!!! I will be your best customer!!

Amber


Joined: 26/09/2008
Posts: 561

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 17:51

Starbucks and waterstones - please !!!!!

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 17:59

tommy13

I think what a lot of Brit expats miss is the 'one stop shop' experience where they can buy everthing in one mall. For me I have found I can get anything I need in the TRNC but I have to shop around and that for me makes it more interesting but I am not a typical Brit expat.

AJ

Chegwin


Joined: 24/03/2009
Posts: 775

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 18:08

After some further carefull thought.........Bargain Booze.

Yippee!!!

That would do nicely.



Chegwin

tommy13


Joined: 29/04/2009
Posts: 979

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 18:25

funnily enough chegwin , cyclone was my mates club ... yes its closed now , not that its affected the world capital of brasses .......lol.....

tommy13


Joined: 29/04/2009
Posts: 979

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 18:41

i appreciate how everyone seems to not harm the way cyprus is , ( spain 35yrs ago ) but thats mainly because of the isolation , isnt it ,, surely as things progress more and more corporates and brands will be here like evrywhere else in the world , dont think that can be avoided .. i too like the old cyprus , utouched , untampered , rough around the edges , but i must also embrace the fact that will change when things open up , we are trying to sign up as many well known brands as we can , looking at the future situation , Cyprus wont stay unfranchised , unbranded forever , the corporates will move in eventually , someone mentioned u snooze u loose ,, this is true ,, get in there now or someone else will ,, no ?

zcacmxi


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 388

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 18:50

Is it not the case that the only stable franchise operations in North Cyprus operate as branches of the franchise in Turkey? E.g. HSBC, Fedex, DHL, Ford, Renault, etc



I think the reason is that if the franchise is for North Cyprus, then the Greek Cypriot that owns the franchise for South kicks up a fuss. Faced with losing 1 Million customers vs 200K, they side with the Greek Cypriots.



But when the decision is lose Turkish market of 70 Million to keep 1 Million Greek Cypriots happy the story is different!

tommy13


Joined: 29/04/2009
Posts: 979

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 18:58

hey zcacmxi, actually thats not entirely true ,, it differs from case to case , yes some are branches of mainland turkey , there are some also which i know for fact , is given to turkish republic of northern cyprus ,, our agreements for instance , is for trnc , however they dont exist in the south .... the ones which exist in the south wont come here , coz theyve signed agreements for republic of cyprus , which includes the north , so the greeks have locked it down !! in most cases ... also some like dunya auto , the mercedes dealer , that was in the hands of turks pre 74 , and remained so , they just gave a new dealershipo for the south side ,,

zcacmxi


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 388

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 19:04

You'd have to be careful that the ones that have come to TRNC first don't then get dissuaded once the GCs find out.



When HSBC first opened, they tried their usual tactics to get it closed. But the developing 70 Million Turkish market was too large for HSBC to turn their back on to satisfy a few GCs.

zcacmxi


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 388

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 19:08

I'm actually suprised that more of the franchise owners in Turkey do not open branches in TRNC.



HSBC and the car dealers prove that the GCs can not upset the plans when the market involves a developing nation involving 70 Million!

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 19:16

Alsancakjack

you are not on your own, even as a female I love going round the wee shops getting what I want rather than a big shopping mall. Never want to go back but sometimes miss the cheap shops like Matalan as they sell all kind of goods at really good prices.

rdsteve


Joined: 01/03/2009
Posts: 187

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 19:48

re msg 7

Boots does not have a shop anywhere in the south

Steve

lucienne


Joined: 29/01/2009
Posts: 129

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 20:02

Wagamamas please. I know that there is one in the South, but one in the North would be great.

tommy13


Joined: 29/04/2009
Posts: 979

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 20:15

well buddha bar is coming thats similar ,,, luciene

zcacmxi


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 388

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 21:20

There are also Turkish franchises. Anybody interested in any of these? See: http://www.bayimolurmusun.com/



Hasan Usta cafe's are a franchise from Turkey that are already in TRNC. http://www.bhu.com.tr/

rtddci


Joined: 29/12/2007
Posts: 842

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 21:30

I suspect that the political, banking and legal situation has put off a massive amount of investment in the north. The way that non TC's have been ripped off has not helped the reputation of NC as a place to do business.

Classic example of the difference is walking over the new crossing. Chalk & cheese. One minute Turkish cafes, next Starbucks, Debenhams, MacDonalds, M & S. I think that businesses have been waiting for a settlement, especially the north entering the EU. I have often thought that when that happens, local businesses will be swept aside. I don't think they will stand a chance.

tommy13


Joined: 29/04/2009
Posts: 979

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 21:35

rtddci , yes definatley agree , the corporates in every sector are cued up just waiting , all that high street commercial real estate will be muscled into ...!!

lucienne


Joined: 29/01/2009
Posts: 129

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 21:50

Never heard of Buddha bar Tommy, what is it and where will it be?

tommy13


Joined: 29/04/2009
Posts: 979

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 22:01

check out http://www.buddha-bar.com lucienne

jacktheladett


Joined: 01/07/2008
Posts: 528

Message Posted:
07/05/2009 22:03

Tony Roma's would be excellent.

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 00:06

tommy13, re your post 13,

I think that you're dead right about the TC's - and you're asking the wrong people (as we're probably over 90% expats on here!).

It does remind me of a young chap I was talking to in Leicester, wasn't quite sure where he hailed from, but it turned out his parents were amongst the Indians who left Uganda in the Idi Amin era...

When I said "I bet your mum cooks marvellous curries", I got the response "I'd rather have a MacDonalds!"

So look to your target market - the Brits want ethnic Cypriot food, and the (young) TC's want European/American styles and food...

Keith.

Bootz


Joined: 16/01/2009
Posts: 46

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 00:35

What about a big 'TESCO' ! Lol.......



Joke... I'm not really worried about any, as some have said, it makes the trip back to the UK perhaps more fun/special and you can get most things here, just not in one place!

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 01:13

Hiya Keit the young do want fast food that is true. Years ago we looked into a McDonalds franchise No go it will only go to the maffia. The first to open one here can clap all the way to the bank. It must be so difficult Tommy for any sort of franchise because we are not a regonised state unlike the grrek side. Would you not think the likes of the riche here would have done so. Good luck to you if you have found a way. I wish you every success xxxxx

tommy13


Joined: 29/04/2009
Posts: 979

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 08:40

Yes Keith you are absolutely right , and Lilli ,,, your right too ... I agree , feasibilies show that any good branded franchise is a money maker in Trnc , and yes target group and most customers would be the TC's , Mainlainders , students , and ofcourse im sure a few expats and especially there kids would pop their heads in now and then .......

zcacmxi


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 388

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 09:02

Agreed, the TCs / Students are a big market. They're sure to flock to their own familiar Turkish brands too, as well as anything International.



Hasan Usta, Mavi Jeans, Bucuruk, Panco, all the Turkish Banks all seem to be busy. Unsure if they are all franchises, or just branches of the main group?

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 09:39

When I first came to TRNC we didn't have any of the things that people are saying we still don't need (McDonalds, etc.) We also didn't have: Speed cameras/radar traps, traffic wardens, double yellow lines and electricity costs equal to the UK (or close to).

So it seems that, like it or not, we are being dragged into line with Europe/UK, in which case I'd like some of the "civilisation" that goes with it, rather than just the down side.

Jimmyboy63


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 400

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 10:15

Mess 9 .....sorry if i came over "agressive"......maybe people just can't live without there shop's

tommy13


Joined: 29/04/2009
Posts: 979

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 13:47

yes trncvaughan ,, i agree , hope the civilisation progresses with the all the other things

kamaks


Joined: 03/03/2009
Posts: 123

Message Posted:
08/05/2009 14:04

Pull and bear,Berska,mango and mango kids ,zara and zara kids ,steve madden ( shoes),kfc,starbucks.Just a few brands i use and would like to see there.

Chegwin


Joined: 24/03/2009
Posts: 775

Message Posted:
09/05/2009 06:53

tommy13

Exclusive rights for this if you are interested.



http://www.moviebankme.com/uae/index.asp





Chegs

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
09/05/2009 07:06

Tommy no probs...but I do miss shoppng this side and do not like giving money to the south..if shops were here none of us would need to go south for shopping.

tommy13


Joined: 29/04/2009
Posts: 979

Message Posted:
09/05/2009 09:44

hey chegwin , thnx for the link , our feasibilty consultants have said that at present time the most lucrative types of business are food franchising , thats our main area of interest.. and one that is more garuanteed to make money even in hard times like this , as well all eat no matter credit crunch or what

petez


Joined: 04/12/2008
Posts: 560

Message Posted:
09/05/2009 10:18

Pizza Express would be good...

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
09/05/2009 11:30

How about a Yo! Sushi?

tommy13


Joined: 29/04/2009
Posts: 979

Message Posted:
09/05/2009 11:53

hmm interesting posts , and ideas ,, thnx guys ,, we have tied up few deals and loking to get as many brands in as poss , as your aware its very difficult and many just wont come here , but we are finding some that will , things are changing slowly , i think we will start to see some brands in the next couple yrs ,,

keithr


Joined: 20/08/2008
Posts: 720

Message Posted:
09/05/2009 12:03

Kebabs R Us ????



No thanks !!!!

tommy13


Joined: 29/04/2009
Posts: 979

Message Posted:
10/05/2009 10:45

Just want to say to thanks to everyone , your comments were helpful . Like i said we have already signed master frnachise agreements with a couple of brands. The first of which should be opening in around 4 mnths time , I wont metion it now , however as a thank you to your kindness and assistance to my market research exercise , when we open the first store anyone who comes to the opening and mentions CYPRUS44 gets a free milkshake thanks , will keep you posted