Bonding people through food at Golden Fork

The story of Golden Fork Started in the UAE in 1975 when the country was in progressive development. They found a need of curating a menu for the different nationalities, expats who came looking for opportunities in this land filled with opportunities. From India, Philippines, Russia, USA, Thailand and many more. The founding  fathers wanted a place close to home where people would feel welcomed where they can sit socialize and enjoy the delicacies of their respective motherland. Golden Fork as a name was chosen to showcase their love for the quality & dedication towards food. In this interview with Srinivas Rao, Director-Strategy for Golden Fork, he shares more about their success journey.

1. How did you enter the franchise business?

The name “GOLDEN FORK” is a big brand in UAE and Dubai being a tourist hub for global citizens many investors globally interested to invest in this brand in their respective countries. Franchising in F&B business is proven business as long as the brand is having demand, which is matching with our concepts. Our franchise system is designed in such a way others cant copy our secret recipes, as our strengths is our operations and sourcing of ingredients for global customer taste along with our four decades of brand name.

2. Where and how did the idea of your concept come from?

When it comes to sea food we have seen the gaps in the market offerings and we are the solution for

• Quality Offerings,
• Affordable for Most,
• Authentic and Traditional Flavours,

Changing as per Consumer Requirements from time to Time

3. What inspired the brand name?

Golden Fork an epitome of luxury & fine dine experience in the F&B industry for the past 40 Years

4. What makes your brand different from your competitors?

There is very few or no competition when it comes to fresh sea food especially in franchising ecosystem.

5. What are the essential qualities that you look for in a franchisee?

Along with investment we need franchisees who care for quality fresh food and customer satisfaction from current customer to future generations. GOLDEN FORK customers comes with their family and remembers their younger days spend at the restaurant with their sons and daughters.

6. How long does it take, on average, for your franchisee to realize their investment?

It depends on many factors such as location, how actively franchisee operates, local team, etc However, normally its around 2 Years.

7. What was the major challenge you faced in your career and how did you overcome it?

Many customers missed our food during COVID lockdown. Being a fine dining restaurant we have not opened cloud kitchen format since our concept is all about Food with Experience. Now markets opened customers are HAPPY.

8. What is your best achievement?

Even though we have many success stories, we are hungry to take the brand to Global reach that when we feel that the best achievement. We are inviting potential investors to join as franchise partners  to join the future success party.

9. How does your business day start?

Starts at morning 6:00A.M. mainly where we serve breakfast where restaurants are connected with Hotels with Rooms and closes at 11:30P.M.

10. What was your best moment throughout your franchise career?

I have consulted multiple brands in franchising. When I see my brands in other cities with happy franchisees that satisfaction cant be just expressed in words. Franchising is really a magic for brands which are at growth stage with right approach and building right team at time time.

11. Where do you see your brand in the next 5 years?

In the Middle East looking for 20 outlets and Asia 10 outlets. However we are open for other potential markets globally if we found investors as per our brand requirements.

12. Any tips you want to impart to our readers who want to be in the franchise industry?

• Get into franchising only if the brand is having proven model else be cautious
• Trusted franchise consultant is needed to develop the Strategy and not franchise broker
• Make sure to protect all legal requirements as per the country requirements
• Dont forget to build franchise team as per the growth of the brand in multiple locations to support respective franchisees

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