Why choose COPA Academy?

COPA Academy is looking for franchisees with entrepreneurial flair, willing to go above and beyond just teaching a handful of children on their own. COPA Academy is looking for franchisees that they can help achieve a business where they not only have empowered themselves and the children they are teaching, but have commenced working with other like-minded teachers and professionals to make a difference in their immediate communities. 

Besides great textbooks, COPA Academy undertakes to assist its franchisees in the development of their academies to become a force to be reckoned with in their area! A franchisee may be an individual, an organization (e.g. church) or even a school that is looking to purchase an academy for their area. We would also encourage existing music schools to consider converting to a COPA Academy simply because of the access it gives its learners to the music industry.

The following are some of the selection criteria that we consider when deciding on awarding a franchise:

• An owner operator, with previous business experience.
• Passionate about music with the necessary experience in various disciplines and qualifications who loves working with children of all age groups.
• A high degree of energy with a strong sense of creative ability and able to use initiative.

• Will grow his / her business to meet the stipulated student numbers as determined per the recommendations of COPA Academy through ongoing mentorship and more if possible;
• Would actively manage their franchise with confidence, ideally a disciplined and performance motivated individual with a sound knowledge of music and its industry;
• Would actively market and promote, hand in hand with COPA Academy, as well as on his / her own within the geographical area allocated within the franchise agreement;
• Is willing to expand by employing other tutors to teach at his / her COPA Academy;
• Would ensure that suitable, ‘fit for purpose’ premises, which is subject to the approval of the franchisor, is sourced along with the guidelines provided by the franchisor, equipped in accordance with COPA Academy’s prescribed standards, and maintained and upgraded for the duration of the franchise agreement period;
• Would willingly utilise COPA Academy’s approved resources / textbooks for any and all tuition and would willingly work within COPA Academy’s stipulated fee structures;
• Would encourage any suitable learners to take the Campus of Performing Arts / any other appointed partner assessments at the relevant times as well as assist in the learner’s preparation and enrolment.

Franchises are available nationwide in various major cities and previously selected, viable country towns all over South Africa. A smaller town with surrounding towns in close proximity will only sustain one franchise and this exclusivity may be granted to the franchisee at the time of signing a franchise agreement.

The viability of a franchise area is determined beforehand through market research and due diligence studies that look at population density studies, income and related studies, schools both public and private within the area, business density studies and the like.

The Head Office Franchise Support Structure works as follows:

• Mandatory initial theoretical and practical training of 2 weeks at the Franchise Head Office.
• Opening support (build out, shop fitting, guidance on business registration, VAT, PAYE and UIF, staff recruitment etc), and the traditional hand holding of a further 2 weeks recommended after opening.
• Regular monthly visits by our franchise management team to ensure that the franchisee and the staff are managing the business, keeping the correct stock and maintaining the correct standards as prescribed by the franchisor.
• On-going refresher training every quarter.
• An email enquiries system and the use of an online Forum so that franchisees may interact and assist one another is in development.
• A “hotline” for franchisor and franchisee support.
• We will also assist our franchisees in implementing sustainable business plans and marketing strategies to drive leads and sales through their doors through monthly visits.

COPA Academy franchisees receive intense training in all facets of running the franchise business model including but not limited to course material knowledge, the basics of accounting and financial management, sales and marketing training. Theoretical training is complemented with practical exposure.

It is important that a COPA Academy franchisee works together with their launch manager who renders support and drives the franchise during its opening stages with the traditional handholding method during the first three months when the franchisee will be visited biweekly and thereafter, once a monthly basis.

The marketing department ensures that the following responsibilities are carried out for the franchisor and its network:

1. Market Research to stay abreast with the latest marketing trends within the industry.
2. The development of marketing strategies, campaigns and promotions for the franchisees.
3. Pre-launch marketing support – this is provided through pre-launch marketing material, pamphlets, ads, social media exposure, press releases and the like.
4. Additional marketing for franchisee lead generation.
5. Public relations.

A national footprint of COPA Academies will be achieved through website advertising, social media advertising on mediums such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube and the like. Networking memberships such as Business Network International (www.BNI.com) are recommended and encouraged. National marketing is undertaken every quarter through various mediums, targeting parents who want to encourage nurturing their children’s musical talents through the relevant marketing forums available.