South African Franchisee Complaints Similar to US

Some South African franchise complaints sound like they are coming from the mouths of American franchisees.

After Consumer Line published Mtanase’s story, more people came forward to complain. Most of them said they did not get the stalls they were promised by Multiserv, a shoe repair, key cutting and dry cleaning chain. Those who decided to resell their stalls said they were still waiting for the difference of the sales amount due to them.

Others claimed they were set up for failure because they did not receive the training Multiserv had promised them.

Some also claimed that Multiserv’s Henk White inflated the monthly turnover of the stalls when the businesses were not viable . Most of them said the contracts were was one-sided and that their outlets were never promoted by the company.

Multiserv has responded to all but one complaint. 

Andy Raouna of Multiserv said Mtanase only has herself to blame. - Sowetan, South Africa

No joy for clients - Franchisor responds, but complainants are not satisfied with the answers they received.