Believe The Hype

Over summer, the whole Franchise New Zealand team took a break in Otago, one of the most beautiful parts of this beautiful country. And there was one landmark we were particularly keen to visit – Big Fig. The Wanaka eatery has an almost fanatical following, as we have discovered since first covering their franchising plans last year. But could it live up to the hype? We made an incognito visit to find out and discovered that yes, dear reader, it could. As a result, the first franchisees to take Big Fig to other parts of the country will find even more fans waiting for them.

Big Fig opened in 2016 under the slogan slow food, served fast. Owned by Lebanese sisters and based on home cooking recipes, its hot and cold display cabinets are filled with Middle Eastern meat- and plant-based dishes: delicious slow-cooked meats, tagines, braises, pilaffs, salads and more, all ready-to-go. ‘Customers simply choose a plate size and tell us how they’d like their plate filled,’ says Chrissie Lahood, one of the founders. As our team can confirm, it’s all delicious.

Good systems and good food

But a business has to be about more than its menu if it’s to become a successful franchise. Calling in on a café in a tourist town over Christmas week is a bit of an unfair test of anybody’s systems but, despite a queue that stretched to the doorway, Big Fig could take it. After hours of rush the staff were still smiling, the kitchen was constantly refreshing the cabinets, and the customers were happy. And it’s those years of experience, as well as the brand’s reputation, that Big Fig is franchising.

‘The Big Fig package doesn’t just offer a great concept and delicious recipes, but all of the systems, tech and support needed to run and grow a successful food business,’ says Chrissie’s sister Karen. ‘We brought in the award-winning team at Franchize Consultants to develop the franchise model, and now we are looking for the right people to share Big Fig with passionate fans all over the country.

‘Depending on the location and premises, people can get started for anything from $150,000 to $450,000.’

See for yourself

While many food concepts come and go, Big Fig has a long track record of success – despite the havoc in the hospitality and tourist industries caused by the pandemic. Having eaten there ourselves, it’s easy to see why.

We sent Chrissie some photos of us enjoying our lunch. ‘Is that the big plates you’ve got there?’ she asked. ‘Er… it all looked so delicious, we couldn’t resist,’ we confessed. So yes, believe the hype.

Contact Karen Lahood to find out more – or go to Wanaka and see for yourself.   

See this advertorial on page 31 of Franchise New Zealand magazine Year 33 Issue 1

Contact details for Big Fig

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Industry: Food and Beverage

Contact: Karen Lahood

027 902 6593

FANZ member: yes

investment from:
$150,000

Number:: in NZ 1 globally 1

View this listing

• Phone
  027 902 6593
• Email
  franchise@bigfig.co.nz
• Web
  https://bigfig.co.nz/franchising

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