SANParks in dispute with Kruger Restaurant operator

[Lisbeth]

Sanparks is not supposed to run restaurants, they do not have the know how ( they do not even know how to run the camps ). Maybe they do not even know how to make a a contract with the restaurant operators

[Flutterby]

SANParks in dispute with Mugg and Bean and Debonairs operator in Kruger Park

SANParks is involved in an arbitration process with operator of Mugg and Bean and Debonairs Pizza restaurants in some camps in the Kruger National Park . Famous Brands said the franchisee of these restaurants did not use the opportunity to up his game.

SKUKUZA – SANParks is in dispute with the operator of former Mugg & Bean and Debonairs outlets at certain rest camps in the Kruger National Park (KNP).

The operator, Famous Brands, said that they had terminated the franchise agreement between the group and the franchisee of these Mugg & Bean and Debonairs outlets.

According to SANParks acting head of communications, William Mabasa, following a host of complaints by guests on various social media platforms in relation to the quality of service experienced by guests at Mugg and Bean and Debonairs pizza restaurants at Letaba, Satara and Olifants camps in the KNP, a dispute has been declared.

Restaurant operations at Mugg & Bean Lower Sabie and Wimpy Pretoriuskop are unaffected as they are owned and managed by another franchisee.

SANParks is currently embarking on an arbitration process with the operator in question and is unable to confirm how long the process will take.

“Arbitration proceedings are underway,” said Mabasa.

He said in an effort to address this challenge and improve service standards for the comfort of guests booked at the affected rest camps, “SANParks will endeavour to put temporary substitutes in as operators of the restaurants particularly during peak times.”

“SANParks management sincerely apologises for the inconvenience,” concluded Mabasa.

The Mugg and Bean operator, Famous Brands, has requested for their outlets to be debranded but food will be available at the outlets and the restaurants are operational although all the branded products might not be available.

“Famous Brands has regretfully terminated the franchise agreement between the group and the franchisee of the Mugg & Bean and Debonairs Pizza restaurants at the Letaba, Satara and Olifants camps in the KNP,” said Frederic Cornet, spokesperson for Famous Brands.

“Despite interaction with the franchisee following a breach in terms of the said franchise agreements, the franchisee failed to remedy the situation notwithstanding having had opportunity to do so,” said Cornet.

The franchise agreement stipulates that in the event of termination, all intellectual property belonging to Mugg & Bean and Debonairs Pizza must be removed by the franchisee within ten days of termination of the agreement.

“The de-branding process will commence shortly and the now ex-franchisee has indicated that the outlets will be run as independent operations that is non-franchised,” explained Cornet.

Famous Brands would like to apologise for any inconvenience experienced by patrons of these restaurants as a result of this action.

[RobertT]

I see people are bashing the brand, but from where I am standing the idea of using a Franchised brand worked. The franchises have a certain standard to keep up, this was not done so franchise pulled their licence (doing SANParks a favour) and am sure SANParks have covered themselves in the contract on performance, if not they are the ones being careless. If this wasn't a brand, there would ne no standard to judge against and therefore any rubbish could be served indefinitely like what previous used to happen.

[Flutterby]

From what I understand, whoever was running the restaurants can still do so, but now they don't have to pay franchise fees anymore.

[PennyinSA]

Hmmm thats a little bit like having your cake and eating it! Surely if he is in breach of agreements then he should (emphasis on should) be disallowed from operating at all! I am given to understand that this particular person registered the company simultaneously with the award of the franchises so this kind of smacks of something ulterior and I am also given to understand that he is extremely well known in the area and even owns a soccer club - the mind boggles at the wealth that is being bandied around here!

[Richprins]

Sanparks is not supposed to run restaurants, they do not have the know how ( they do not even know how to run the camps ). Maybe they do not even know how to make a a contract with the restaurant operators

SANParks ran the restaurants for many decades, at a reasonable price which was not profit-driven at all, just a service. Not very larney, but one doesn't go to the wilderness for expensive food?

It was changed for BEE reasons, with various disasters.

Many franchise delivery vehicles have now been added to traffic and security problems.

SP used to have an "in house" depot and transport system, combining deliveries with those to shops. Money went straight to SP and there was no third party or tender, or Lowveld suppliers losing out vs Gauteng suppliers in some forms now. There was no branding, no strikes, all local jobs, few complaints.

[Lisbeth]

It was a different management then.

I have never had a decent meal in a Sanpark, but then again, I am difficult

[Richprins]

This thing should not be underestimated, and will recur over and over. The point that SP is now making emergency arrangements at camps is telling, and not budgeted for, and not transparent, and extremely expensive, and will run at a loss, which we have to pay for.

The bigger point is that foreign tourists (who use the restaurants more than locals, proportionally) are not used to this nonsense. They won't say anything, but just change their destination to a private establishment outside the Park, or another country, with heavy financial implications for our economy. It is already happening.

[Flutterby]

Former soccer team’s boss plans to change menus of debranded Kruger restaurants

14/03/2016

With the debranding of three former Mugg and Bean restaurants in the Kruger National Park, a few changes are on the cards (and on the menu).

SKUKUZA – The Mugg & Bean and Debonairs Pizza restaurants at Letaba, Satara and Olifants rest camps will be debranded.

According to SANParks acting head of communications William Mabasa, following a host of complaints by guests on various social media platforms in relation to the quality of service experienced by guests at Mugg and Bean and Debonairs pizza restaurants at Letaba, Satara and Olifants camps in the KNP, a dispute has been declared.

SANParks said in a statement today at 14:30 the three restaurants formerly franchised by Famous Brands, is managed by an outsourced operator and the dispute is between the Franchisor and the Franchisee. SANParks however requested Lowvelder to withdraw this statement and apologised for the inconvenience.

Famous Brands said to Lowvelder they had “regretfully terminated the franchise agreement between the Group and the franchisee of the Mugg & Bean and Debonairs Pizza restaurants at the Letaba, Satara and Olifants’ camps in the Kruger National Park.”

The franchisee, Mr Pat Malabela, of the PM Group, is a businessman formerly from Polokwane, now in Gauteng. He used to be the soccer boss who owned First Division soccer team Dynamos (now defunct).

The Mugg & Bean in Lower Sabie is owned by a different franchisee and is not part of the dispute.

A spokesman for the Famous Brands company told Lowvelder that the franchisee was in breach of the terms of the franchise agreement.

“Despite interaction with the franchisee following a breach in terms of the franchise agreements, the franchisee failed to remedy the situation notwithstanding having had opportunity to do so,” said a spokesperson of Famous Brands to Lowvelder.

Malabela confirmed that “the coffee and food will still be offered the same way and at the same standard.”

He plans to “restructure the brand offering to guests by changing the menu. We will have a move towards African food and will serve dishes like pap and wors.”

If Malabela goes ahead with his plans to continue running the restaurants in these camps, he says they will be called Ringgolds Restaurants.

Ms Rentia van Eyssen, owner of the Mugg & Bean in Lower Sabie and the Wimpy Pretoriuskop with business partner Ms Virginia Boshoff, said there would be no change in their operation.

[Lisbeth]