Petrochemicals company teams up with fast food franchise

6th September 2013

By: Anine Kilian

Contributing Editor Online

  

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South African petrochemicals company Sasol signed an agreement with fast food franchise Burger King South Africa in July, which will enable the global restaurant chain to open stores within Sasol’s national fuel retail network in the next five to seven years.

“The contract enables Sasol franchisees to qualify for a Burger King franchise, which promotes convenience and their petrol stations as a destination of choice for the consumer,” says Sasol group media manager Alex Anderson.

The agreement with Sasol, says Burger King Worldwide president José Cil, enables Burger King to position its brand across new channels and, therefore, expand the franchises’ number of guests and restaurants, in South Africa, while offering clients a new way of enjoying its products.

Burger King South Africa CEO Jaye Sinclair says the deal supports the company’s growth strategy in South Africa.

“Partnering with Sasol supports our rapid expansion plans and will enable us to increase our growth potential in South Africa over the next few years. The national roll-out will start towards the end of 2013 and will further enhance our job creation initiative,” he notes.

The vision behind this partnership, adds Sinclair, is to continuously meet the needs of Burger King’s valued customers in a rapidly changing business landscape.

Burger King South Africa is a joint venture between Burger King Worldwide and Western Cape-based JSE-listed group Grand Parade Investments (GPI) – a diversified company with interests in tourism, gaming and leisure.

GPI chairperson Hassen Adams says there is an international trend of fuel retail groups partnering with quick service restaurant brands, as this provides the groups with a point of differentiation and a competitive advantage.
“There is a natural symbiotic relationship between Burger King South Africa and Sasol, with both companies focused on creating future franchise opportunities for local South Africans,” says Adams.

Sasol Techno X

Meanwhile, Sasol’s thirteenth Techno X exhibition, where young enthusiasts can engage in real-world mathematics, science and technology applications in a way that captivates their imagination, took place last month at Boiketlong Sports Centre, in Sasolburg.

The exhibition is aimed at learners from Grade 7 to 12 and the theme for this year’s event, which entailed several interactive and hands-on workshops, displays and tours, was ‘Curiosity fuels our future’.

The exhibition provides an interactive way for learners to discover career opportunities in these three fields, as learners had the opportunity to discover their curiosity in the worlds of science, maths and technology.

The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) says there is currently one engineer for every 3 100 people in South Africa, compared with Germany, which has one engineer for every 200 people. In countries such as Japan, the UK and the US, this ratio stands at about one engineer for every 310 people.

“Sasol’s involvement in specific investments in the areas of mathematics, science and technology is key to closing the skills gap in South Africa and it is crucial that we engage and inspire our future leaders. Sasol participates in initiatives that support excellence in education,” says Sasol public affairs GM Ivor Zwane.

“On a national level, these reactions contribute significantly towards enhancing education, while expanding the pool of talent,” he says, adding that Sasol provided information on career paths and opportunities available in the field of chemical operations to learners at the exhibition.

“In an effort to extend the reach of Sasol Techno X and amplify the benefit to learners, teachers and communities, Sasol’s public–private partnerships are paramount,” highlights Zwane.

Sasol mechanical engineer Barrend Pule says his life changed when he attended Sasol’s Techno X exhibition in 2002.

“I was exposed to engineering when a young engineer explained the world of mathematics and science to me. This ignited my ambition to pursue a career in this field, resulting in my BSc Mechanical Engineering degree from Wits University,” he explains.

At Techno X, learners can engage with university representatives and other industry stakeholders on the practicalities of course studies and bursary options.

Sasol’s bursary scheme is recognised as one of the largest and most competitive in South Africa. It covers all tuition fees, provides the possibility of paid vacation work and an oppor- tunity to work for the company after graduation.

Sasol, says Zwane, is an employer of choice among professionals in the energy and chemi- cals sphere and has also been recognised as such among students.

Edited by Tracy Hancock
Creamer Media Contributing Editor

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