CASTRIES, St. Lucia - The Caribbean Franchise Development Council (CFDC) has been established to oversee, guide and sustain the development of a structured franchise ecosystem across the Caribbean region.
A St. Lucia government statement said that the Council was formed in direct response to the momentum generated at the Caribbean Franchise Summit, where the need for a governing body capable of giving structure and long-term direction to the region’s franchise ambitions became clear.
The inaugural event was funded by the United States Department of State and IREX YLAI Impact Grant, which runs an annual exchange programme for 280 emerging young entrepreneurs from 37 countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada, who are matched with businesses and organizations across the United States.
The Bank of St. Lucia served as the title sponsor.
“Comprising four members whose collective expertise spans franchise development, entrepreneurship, communications, and digital marketing, the Council will serve as the steward of the Caribbean franchise ecosystem, setting standards, governing the Caribbean Franchise Development Programme, and ensuring the integrity and impact of the region’s growing franchise industry.”
According to the statement, the Council membership includes SLUDTERA Inc, the US-based Franchise Marketing Systems, Blu Media Marketing, Game Changers as the other members.
“The Caribbean Franchise Summit made one thing unmistakably clear, the appetite is here, the talent is here, and the time is now,” said Michelle N. Samuel of SLUDTERA Inc, who will chair the Council.
“This Council exists to give that momentum a home. We are building the ecosystem, the governance, and the professional infrastructure that will allow Caribbean business owners to become the franchise brands, not just the franchisees. This is the vision of Shawna Rollins who inspired this entire movement. This is our turn to own.”
The statement said that beyond its four members, the Caribbean Franchise Development Council is supported by a key stakeholder whose expertise in Caribbean business law, intellectual property, and commercial advisory is integral to the Council’s work.
“This legal professional’s insight is critical to establishing the governance frameworks, IP protection standards, and franchise legal infrastructure required for Caribbean businesses to franchise responsibly and with confidence. Their involvement ensures that the Council’s programmes and standards are grounded in sound legal and regulatory practice relevant to the Caribbean context.”
The statement said that as an informal body, the CFDC “will operate with the flexibility and agility that the early stage of Caribbean franchise development demands, while maintaining clear accountability for the programmes and standards it will govern.
“Its mandate encompasses the oversight of the Caribbean Franchise Development Programme (CFDP), the region’s first structured, six-month online training curriculum for established business owners seeking to franchise their businesses, as well as the Introduction to Franchising tertiary education course, the Caribbean Franchise Summit, the Caribbean Franchise Readiness Assessment tool, and the broader professional standards that will define the industry.”
The statement said that the Council will work to establish the professional norms, ethical standards, and support infrastructure that enable Caribbean businesses to enter franchising with the preparation, legal protection, and market understanding required to succeed.
It will serve as the convening body for the franchise industry across the region, building relationships with governments, financial institutions, academic partners, and international franchise development organisations.
The CFDP is a six-month online training and development programme for established Caribbean business owners, while the Caribbean Franchise Summit will be an annual three-day event to be held in a different Caribbean island every other year.
