Local KFC franchise owner wins two awards
“I am very proud of the Gunret team and how we have operated at such high standards through very difficult trading conditions,” he says. “We have remained focused and relevant in tough times, adapting to the changing environment in which we operate.”
The Pretoria-based franchisee, Gunret Foods, is celebrating two award wins at the recent KFC Africa Franchise Summit – an event that celebrates franchise partners and their outstanding performances. It was a tough year, but resilience and perseverance paid off for owner Alex Gunning as the franchise group took home two of the top awards for Operator of the Year 2021 and Digital Leader for 2021.
“I am very proud of the Gunret team and how we have operated at such high standards through very difficult trading conditions,” he says.
“We have remained focused and relevant in tough times, adapting to the changing environment in which we operate.”
Gunret Foods is a KFC franchisee that owns and operates 42 KFC outlets, the majority of which are in Gauteng, with others in Rustenburg (8) and Cape Town (8).
The first outlet was acquired in 1985 and has since grown from strength to strength. The founder, Burt Gunning, who passed away last year, built the multi-franchise business from one store 37 years ago.
Chief Operations Officer Paul Roos says that “being the best is a team effort; we win together and we celebrate achievements as a team”.
The group is on an expansion drive with a number of new stores planned. It has recently opened KFC Rivonia Boulevard on March 1, 2022, with another new store planned for March 24, 2022, in Waverley Plaza in Pretoria.
There are plans to expand further with stores to open soon in Hebron Mall, Brooklyn, Willow Park, Saxby Corner and Mankwe (Mogwase). Gunret Foods has won top franchisee in South Africa multiple times.
They always strive for the highest. With a strong focus on people internally and externally, Gunret always delivers on its promise of customer service, operational excellence, compliance, training, people growth, development and a commitment to be the best.
The group currently employs more than 1 300 staff members and has been able to continue trading well through turbulent economic times over the years.
The franchise feels that it has a responsibility to give back to the community the group currently has five charities it supports directly through the KFC Add Hope programme as well as school support with sponsorships.
Gunret Foods is also involved in the KFC Mini Cricket programme at a community level to get kids active and introduce them to the game of cricket.
Some recent outstanding achievements:
– 2021 Operator of the Year Award
– 2021 Digital Leader Award
– 2020 Representing Africa at the International Franchise Convention
– 2019 Franchise of the Year winner
– 2019 People Grower of the Year
– 2019 Culture Champion in Training
