Local franchises look for investors at open house in San José

Six local franchises on Thursday will display their business models in hopes of attracting investors at an open house sponsored by the National Franchise Center, part of the Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce.

“The event aims to provide franchise owners with the opportunity to grow by offering investors a space to learn about their business models,” CENAF director Karol Fallas Estrada said.

Participating companies are Pan American Language Center; Curious Minds, a private preschool and daycare;  Hamburguesía, a gourmet burger restaurant; La Fonda Azteca, a Mexican food restaurant; BJX by Neotech, a gadget and mobile accessories shop; and Petcafé, a veterinary clinic and pet shop. Investment opportunities are available for up to $120,000.

All of these companies were developed with assistance from the National Franchise Center during a four-year process, and currently they all are consolidated businesses, Fallas said.

“Those in search of new business opportunities will find in our open house a more suitable environment for really getting to know the business models of these companies, unlike a regular franchise fair,​​ where time and space is more limited,” Fallas added.

The open house will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and entrance is free to the public. Companies offering financing options for businesses will also participate.

Costa Rica’s franchise sector grew by 12.7 percent in 2014, according to CENAF. A total of 34 new franchises launched operations last year; 12 of them were Costa Rican businesses. CENAF estimates that the franchise sector generated close to 28,000 jobs last year.