Field guide
First ninety days plan
The first ninety days in a new franchise can test your focus and cashflow. Here is a South African plan to keep trading steady and staff on track.
Why early days feel uncertain
Many new franchise buyers expect a smooth start, but the first ninety days often bring cashflow pressure, inconsistent foot traffic and staff issues. Early sales targets can clash with the cost of training and setup delays.
Costs rise fast when items like fitout, branding or municipal health approvals are left unfinished at launch. For many, the reality of managing actual payroll, vendor schedules and local by-law compliance feels very different from the forecast in a disclosure document.
Lessons from the first three months
We see buyers in Gauteng, Cape Town and Durban hit similar snags: underestimated working capital, slow municipal licence approvals and uncertainty about who owns each task. In food service, waiting for a Certificate of Acceptability or finalising a liquor licence can delay trade, while in childcare, ECD registration and municipal clearance may take extra weeks.
The Basic Conditions of Employment Act restricts hours to 45 per week and sets higher rates for Sundays and public holidays. New franchisees sometimes misjudge how this affects part-time and weekend rosters. Employers must pay at least R30.23 for each ordinary hour worked. This applies to most roles except those under a sectoral determination, such as contract cleaning.
A buyer’s story from Pretoria
One founder set up a specialty retail outlet in Brooklyn early last year. Their opening day went well, but by week three, they found that vendors delivered late and staff had not been shown the correct till closure process.
Cashflow was strained as several large orders were paid upfront, while turnover was lower than projected. They used our Numbers & Notes review to revisit their working capital plan, then adjusted rosters and set up one-on-one training with the franchisor’s support manager.
Steps to steady your first ninety days
Each franchise type and city brings its own demands, but the key is to plan small, repeatable actions and keep records from day one. Review these steps before and after opening.
- Check that all key licences and certificates are in hand before opening; follow up if municipal approvals lag
- Confirm payroll meets minimum wage and hours rules; plan for weekends and public holidays
- Track your daily cashflow and set aside working capital for at least a month beyond forecast
- Book a session with your franchisor to review support and vendor issues at the two-week mark
- Keep a log of staff queries and escalate recurring problems (like till closure or hygiene routines)
When to get help from Franchase
If your actual setup drifts from your plan, or you have questions about working capital, operating area or compliance in the first months, please share your situation with Azhar Toefy.
We can review your disclosure document, check your franchise agreement includes the 10 business day cooling-off period required by the Consumer Protection Act, and help you prepare practical questions for the franchisor’s support team.
Send us your first ninety days scenario
Tell us about your opening plans, team setup and key worries. We will help you review your first ninety days plan and spot any gaps or cost lines you may miss.