Thai street food eatery Cafe Isan in JLT launches micro franchise opportunities for those who’ve suffered pandemic-related job losses

In light of the ongoing pandemic, Cafe Isan’s fifth birthday, and a desire to help people pursue their dreams, this Thai street food and tea bar has launched a micro franchise scheme. Those who qualify can take charge of a fully kitted out, ready to operate, single-item Thai street food cart, at a location of their choice – to be proposed during the application process.

Applicants require little to no cooking experience, as Chef New will personally train all successful candidates to take on the challenge and role of a street food vendor. The choice of location for the cashless carts is down to the franchisee, but Cafe Isan is calling on property and landowners, mall managers and other forward-thinking venues to step up and offer a space to these new-era entrepreneurs. To apply, send a short application to the Cafe Isan team through their website. After a shortlisting process, applicants will be contacted for interviews.

The inspiration behind the idea comes from co-founder and Chef New, who started her venture with just AED200 and in turn, allowed her to make a living from her passion. Cafe Isan will support each cart by acting as a centralised kitchen, providing ingredients and sauces, not only to ensure the distinctive Cafe Isan authenticity is maintained, but for consistency and safety.

The fee will cover the cost of a cart or kiosk, refrigeration, equipment, a POS system, training, branded packaging and t-shirts, hygiene and safety certifications, fire extinguishers and blankets (where required), menus, promotional literature and even initial ingredient costs. On top of this, the scheme also absorbs the cost of Dubai municipality permits, public liability and workmen’s insurance, and legal and accounting fees.

As an idea, initial concepts for the carts include a Tea Bar, a Mango Sticky Rice Cart, a Som Tum station, a Snack food Cart, a Tom Yum Soup Cart and a Satay Station. And finally, for more exciting news. The most successful food cart for the year will win a trip to Thailand’s Isan region.

Sounds like this is for you? Apply online.