Advanced Occupational Certificate: Franchise Manager

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Franchise Manager.

A Franchise Manager maintains relationships with and supports franchise partners, develops and maintains guidelines on franchisor policies and procedures and provides training, communicates promotions and other relevant information, evaluates franchisee performance and works with franchisees to continuously improve operations. A qualified learner will demonstrate the following key attributes: critical analysis, problem solving, decision making, analytical, synthesis, communication, systematic and technical.

A qualified learner will be able to

• Plan, set up and maintain the franchisee relationship.
• Oversee and evaluate franchising business performance.
• Develop and maintain business growth and improvement plans.
• Manage training and communication on franchising requirements and products.

Rationale

The development of this qualification was supported by the Franchise Association of South Africa. The franchise business model plays an important role within the economy and more businesses are exploring the opportunity to franchise. In South Africa, in 2017, there were approximately 630 franchise systems totalling 39 000 franchise outlets. At that point, they contributed 12.5% to the economy and provided work for 325 000 people. This tendency is bound to expand considering that only 6.5% of South Africa's SMEs were franchised, compared to 30% in developed economies in the world. Franchisees are also embedded in their local communities through their local supply chains. The sustainability of the franchise system depends largely on competent Franchise Managers at both franchisor and franchisee level. Competent Franchise Managers will thus benefit the sector, society and the economy as proper management ensures economic sustainability of the franchise.

Typical learners to this qualification include both new entrants into the sector and already employed people who aspire to grow within a franchise business system or outlet. In addition, people who plan to grow their business by franchising, are potential learners to this qualification.

Learners will benefit from this qualification as successful completion will contribute to the full development of the learner by providing recognition, career progression and mobility within any franchise sector of the economy. As this qualification relates to business management, it allows for career progression opportunities and further studies in other areas of specialisation within the business management environment (where possible, examples of other areas of specialisation providing learning pathways may be given).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL for access to a qualification

Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be credited for modules through RPL.

RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment

Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result.

Entry Requirements

An NQF Level 4 qualification.

This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules

Knowledge Modules

• 121906-000-00-KM-01, Business Ethics and Etiquette, Level 4, 4 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-KM-02, Workplace Dynamics, Level 4, 2 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-KM-03, Leadership and Management Principles, Level 5, 4 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-KM-04, Risk Management Theory, Level 5, 4 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-KM-05, Franchise Contractual and Legal Relationships, Level 6, 9 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-KM-06, Operations and Systems Planning Processes, Level 6, 4 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-KM-07, Managing and Monitoring Performance of a Franchise, Level 6, 15 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-KM-08, Financial Management Theory, Level 6, 8 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-KM-09, Theory of Growing a Business, Level 6, 9 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-KM-10, Theory of Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Level 6, 10 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-KM-11, Marketing and Training, Level 6, 5 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 74

Practical Skill Modules

• 121906-000-00-PM-01 Interpret Contractual Agreements and Develop Implementation Guidelines, Level 6, 4 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-PM-02, Develop Operational and Evaluation Guidelines, Level 6, 5 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-PM-03, Evaluate Business Compliance, Level 6, 3 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-PM-04, Develop Financial Plans and Analyse Financial Performance, Level 6, 5 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-PM-05, Evaluate Business Performance, Level 6, 4 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-PM-06, Develop and Evaluate Business Growth Opportunities, Level 6, 3 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-PM-07, Conduct Market Research, Level 6, 3 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-PM-08, Manage Training Provision, Level 6, 3 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-PM-09, Manage Communication Processes, Level 6, 2 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 32

Work Experience Modules

• 121906-000-00-WM-01, Processes for the Maintenance of Franchisee Contractual Framework, Level 6, 8 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-WM-02, Processes for Evaluating Franchise Performance, Level 6, 8 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-WM-03, Processes for Identifying Business Growth Opportunities, Level 6, 4 Credits.
• 121906-000-00-WM-04, Communication and Training Processes Related to Franchise Requirements, Level 6, 8 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 28

1. Establish and maintain franchise relationships, applying legislative requirements and processes.
2. Evaluate and analyse the performance of the franchise system and related processes.
3. Develop business growth and improvement plans using appropriate methods, procedures and techniques.
4. Establish processes to communicate and maintain franchise requirements, products and relationships.

ELO 1: Establish and maintain franchise relationships, applying legislative requirements and processes.

• Discuss, analyse and interpret requirements of the franchise's legal and contract environment to enhance franchise relationships.
• Identify, discuss and evaluate operational and evaluation requirements.
• Develop and review operational and evaluation guidelines.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

ELO2: Evaluate and analyse the performance of the franchise system and related processes.

• Discuss, evaluate and analyse franchise systems and related processes.
• Compare, evaluate and analyse franchise operations performance against operations manual standards.
• Discuss and apply financial analysis concepts and principles in the context of franchise performance.
• Discuss, analyse and apply costs and costing concepts and principles in the context of financial performance.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

ELO 3: Develop business growth and improvement plans using appropriate methods, procedures and techniques.

• Discuss, compare, analyse and apply business growth and improvement methods and techniques.
• Develop business growth and improvement proposals based on market research and feasibility examinations.
• Evaluate and analyse business growth and improvement plans against service performance and sales.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

ELO 4: Establish processes to communicate and maintain franchise requirements, products and relationships.

• Develop and implement communication and training strategy within available budget.
• Develop, implement and maintain communication systems and processes in the context of franchising.
• Develop, implement and maintain training plan and processes in the context of franchising.
• Discuss and apply customer relationship management principles in the context of franchising.

Integrated Assessment

Formative Assessment

The Skills Development Providers will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the Integrated External Summative Assessment.

Summative Assessment

An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required to issue this qualification. The External Integrated Summative Assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. The external integrated summative assessment will be conducted through a theoretical assessment, responding to scenarios and the evaluation of practical tasks on selected modules using relevant checklists at an approved assessment site in a simulated environment (where relevant) and conducted by assessors registered with the relevant AQP.