There is much to do the challenge is exciting

Philippe Deveille, multi-franchisé KFC in the region of Nantes.

A meteoric career

With his diploma of Science Po, economic and financial section, Philippe Deveille was not predestined to become patron of a KFC. "As what, everything leads to fast food!", smiles today this father of 45 years. To finance his studies, he starts in Darty in 1983, as single vendor. It acquires particular sense of client contact and a taste for field work. Ten years later, become purchaser product manager after having been Director of store, he left the sign to mount his own business, MédiaMarket (planet Saturn), subsidiary of Metro Cash & Carry. First entrepreneurship experience known to be renouveler In 1996, he decided to join Leroy Merlin, in Paris, Nantes and then in China, where he was appointed Director-General for 6 years.

The choice of the franchise

It was during this Asian trip that Philippe Deveille discovers KFC. "We had become used to take our children once a week at McDonald's, in Beijing, he says." One day, they wanted to go to KFC. I was conquered by the quality and diversity of products. "Back in France, this dynamic framework begins with lead Lafayette Maison in Paris, for a year and a half. But he is tapped by the desire to become his own boss and a desire to return to Nantes. In agreement with his family, he takes contact with KFC and training in the restaurant in Pantin, in February 2008. "I am not a creative, I therefore preferred to rely on an existing network with a process and a modus operandi experienced, analysis Philippe Deveille." In addition, I think many in the future of the concept: KFC will be the "other" future number 1 fast food!

Three restaurants in one year

The suite takes place at full speed. As of August 2008, he resumed the restaurant in Bouguenais, near Nantes, then 9 months more later that of Saint-Herblain. In September 2009, it opens its third restaurant in Saint-Sébastien-sur-Loire, always in the Nantes conurbation. "A relationship of trust has very quickly established between the franchisor and myself, he says." In the light of the very satisfactory results of the first restaurant, I therefore took the opportunities that presented themselves. I also had the chance to be followed from the outset by my banker, who agreed to unblock me credits, even in times of crisis.

Whether to structure

But fate multi-franchisé also requires a strong organization: Philippe Deveille has some 120 employees spread over its 3 restaurants part-time. "I've lived a big change in terms of management, recognizes the pattern. In my previous post, I was accustomed to handle medium and senior executives. Today, I have from my students, which is usually the first work experience and whose priority remains their studies - as I understand very well. It is not at all the same managerial levers! "Philippe Deveille also recruited his own wife, to deal with human resources and management staff, seconded by a collaborator. Essential support. "After the phases of learning and expansion, 2010 be the year of the stabilization and structuring", he says.

Involvement without fault

Although it plans one or two new acquisitions in the coming years if opportunities present themselves, Philippe Deveille does not consider itself as a pure investor. "The success of the concept lies in the presence of the franchisee in the restaurants, pounding it." I can't simply say hello, I must put hand to the pulp: it is important for my staff for me. In the beginning, my Office was even in the room of the restaurant! And my wife was on the work of the administrative charge of the institution. "Very involved in the network, the contractor is also part of the national marketing commission of KFC. "There is much to do, the challenge is exciting. I think that in 10 or 20 years, I'll be me back noting that we have contributed to the development of a good sign. As personal and collective, it is very motivating.