New Delhi, June 18: Global ice cream parlour chain
New Zealand Natural is embarking on an expansion plan to open
100 outlets by 2009 across India as it aims to take on
international brand like Baskin and Robbins.
The Sydney-based firm, which has tied up with Manju
Enterprises, is focusing on metros and mini-metros with a
product offering that includes fat-free ice cream, frozen
yogurt, soft serve, smoothies to shakes and juices in over 73
flavours at a price range of Rs 40-150.
"We plan to open 100 outlets by 2009 of varying modules
in metro cities and the B grade cities, of these 35 are likely
to come up by this year-end," Manju Enterprises director
Himanshu Maheshwari told.
On the investment front, he said, it would be made by the
franchisees.
Starting April, the company has opened outlets in Delhi,
Mumbai and Jaipur, while one each in Pune and Hyderabad are
likely to come up later this month.
While the majority of the outlets are through other
franchisees, six would be owned by its master franchisee --
Manju Enterprises.
Taking an aggressive strategy, New Zealand Natural is
offering its franchisees a margin of 50 per cent. It has three
formats with entry level smaller outlet (express counter),
slightly bigger 'parlour module' and a large 'lounge module'.
"A lion's share of around 75 per cent will be invested in
the parlour module and remaining in the express counters and
lounges module," Maheshwari said.
New Zealand Natural has been operating in Australia and
New Zealand since 1986 and claims to offer 97-99 per cent fat-
free ice cream, frozen yoghurt, soft serve, smoothies, shakes
and juices with a shelf life of two years under normal
refrigeration.
It is present in over 14 countries and has over 400
parlours across the globe. All products are imported form New
Zealand. Maheshwari, however, said that after the initial 35
outlets the opening up of the rest would depend on the pace of
the mall construction activity going on in various cities, he
said.
He said as per the company norms, the master franchise
can own and manage only six per cent of the total outlets in
any country, while the rest would be owned by other
franchisees who enjoy a 50 per cent margin in the total sales.
Bureau Report