Nicola Jenvey, Kwazulu-Natal Correspondent
4 June 2003
Durban — Unilever has acquired the Milky Lane and Juicy Lucy brands from Pleasure Foods under its Ola Ice Cream subsidiary for an undisclosed sum.
The move expands the fast-moving consumer goods multinational into the franchising arena.
The newly formed division will be headed by Craig MacKenzie, best known for opening SA's first Debonairs Pizza outlet in Maritzburg.
Steers Holdings acquired Debonairs in 1996 and MacKenzie remained as MD until 2000. The chain has 150 stores in SA and throughout Africa.
MacKenzie and fellow entrepreneur Wayne Duncan will manage Ola's retail arm. Their company, Retail Solutions, gives Ola access to extensive retail operations skills and franchising systems expertise.
Ola will maintain the Milky Lane and Juicy Lucy franchising system, but brings to the table its marketing, innovation and ice cream supply systems and global brands portfolio.
MacKenzie said Retail Solutions would consider Milky Lane and Juicy Lucy franchisees as business partners, while creating new franchising opportunities nationally and in southern Africa.
Ola marketing director Kerren Janssen said the medium-term aim involved at least doubling turnovers through extensive marketing and innovation garnered from Ola's international experience.
Milky Lane and Juicy Lucy have a combined annual turnover of R115m.
Since its inception in 1958, the Milky Lane franchise has grown to 88 stores, while Juicy Lucy, which launched in 1973 as a healthier alternative to standard fast-food fare, has 54 outlets.
While Ola's entry into retail is new in SA, Unilever Ice Cream already has more than 6000 ice cream outlets in the US , France, Holland, Portugal, Mexico, India, Thailand, China, the Philippines and Australia.
Unilever Ice Cream is a global ice cream leader with a presence in 95 countries, owning brands such as Magnum, Solero, Cornetto and Gino Ginelli.
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