Flegma

Franchising offers a powerful means for business expansion by tapping into the drive and investment of independent franchisees. Owing to its growth potential, Japan is witnessing a rise in franchise businesses, with the market amounting to nearly 27 trillion yen.

Yet, many enter the industry with inadequate knowledge and are unable to unlock the complete benefits of the franchising model.

This is precisely where Flegma, a pioneering franchise consulting firm, enters the scene. It specializes in franchise organization services, offering comprehensive support for effective headquarters management. This includes constructing a headquarters organization, devising operational strategies, and developing affiliations and human resources to establish a sustainable franchise.

“Depending on the content of the contract, we will commit to a target number of stores, and if the target is not reached, we have introduced a money-back guarantee,” says Sho Sasaki, president and CEO of Flegma.

Such confidence in its capabilities is the result of the extensive franchising expertise brought by Sasaki. In 2017, Sasaki played a pivotal role in establishing a franchise chain (FC) headquarters using the experience he had cultivated up to that point. His team organized all FC headquarters functions, such as affiliation development, store development, supervision, and legal affairs, using their tactics, and as a result, they achieved 100 stores in three years and 150 stores in four years from the start of recruitment.

At the same time, they achieved a member store retention rate of 96 percent. Such steady careers and results were rare in the franchise industry in Japan, so Sasaki and his team started Flegma to provide the world with the tactic of FC organization to create a healthy and strong chain.

A Franchise Model Boosting Regional Economic Growth

The market size and the maturity of many headquarters are too unbalanced. There is a lack of ambition to learn and improve the franchises. As a member at the franchise headquarters, Sasaki has traveled around the country and witnessed the decline of local economies. His journey instilled a strong sense of crisis and reinforced his belief that regional revitalization is indispensable for recovering the Japanese economy.

This is where the franchise industry comes in. It will play a significant role in Japan in the future. Franchises accompanied by profitability, reproducibility, and philosophy can authentically establish businesses and create jobs in rural areas to boost the economy. To achieve this, it is necessary to build many high-quality franchises (headquarters) and spread them throughout the country.

Revitalizing Japan, Asia, and the world through the power of franchises is Flegma’s goal and driving force.

Industry-Focused Qualification and Training Courses

Flegma’s innovative approach is spearheaded by a unique qualification called 'Franchise Organizer.' This program, designed for franchisors, empowers headquarters through strategic recruitment and a deep understanding of franchises, chains, and business partners. Graduates gain skills to manage various aspects of the franchising model for maintaining a healthy development of their headquarters.

The program addresses a broad audience, from entrepreneurs looking to establish a headquarters to individuals already working as franchise consultants. It proves valuable for franchise headquarters management, affiliation and store development, supervision, and back-office teams within the franchise domain.

Flegma recognizes the critical balance needed for business success, addressing industry challenges of neglecting support system efficiency. To counter this, it introduces the ‘Core Franchisee’ qualification, ensuring businesses apply essential franchise elements for effective partner selection and success maximization. This initiative marks groundbreaking strides in Japanese franchise history.

Pioneering Franchise Development and Expansion Initiatives

Within one year of its launch, Flegma has already affiliated with 50 franchise headquarters brands and provided services to 20 brands. Among them, one franchise has been expanding 40 stores in a year since the beginning of its recruitment membership. It has maintained a robust headquarters organization, creating the base for smooth developments in the future.

Positioned as a significant contributor to the Japanese franchise industry, Flegma plans to extend its influence to Asia, Europe, and the U.S. by developing qualification and training courses tailored to their needs. In this pursuit, the company is actively seeking partners who share its philosophy and are interested in becoming franchisors for its training programs in their respective countries.