Three-quarters of Getir’s network of 100 dark stores are run by franchisees just a year after the company launched the new model.
The rapid delivery grocer began seeking franchisees to operate its dark stores late last year, after its first UK franchisee came on board to run a micro warehouse site in central London.
Since then, the company has franchised stores “across the UK, with a particularly large presence in London and Birmingham”, Getir UK head of franchise Richard North told The Grocer.
Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free
Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning
Franchise holders invest between £140,000 and £205,000, depending on the size of the dark store, and take responsibility for employing picking staff, couriers, and management.
“Our ambition is to continue growing the franchise network until we are 100% franchised,” North added.
Close to a third of franchisee operators run more than one dark store, Getir said.
A return on franchisees’ investment is promised within two to three years, “or even sooner based on the efficiency and speed of your store.”
Upon launching the model, North said Getir “set to work building the best tools to support franchisees while also generating demand through national marketing, events, social media and word of mouth.
“This approach quickly created widespread interest,” North added.
“It was critical to us that we attracted and onboarded the right kind of franchisees, so we created a recruitment process that would test their understanding of the business as well as their appetite for entrepreneurship.
“We explained in detail what we needed from them and let them know how important they are to the success of Getir. It’s been a huge success.”
The news comes as the quick commerce player hit a milestone of over 500,000 meals donated from its stores.
