Morocco Eases Lockdown: Franchises and Fast-Food Chains Reopen with Restrictions

According to a government decision, restaurants and cafes are allowed to open their doors, while ensuring compliance with health measures. For the time being, they can only offer take-out and home delivery. At some fast-food chains, there is already a crowd. Proof that activities have resumed.

However, there are still concerns among professionals in the sector. For Mohamed El Fane, president of the Moroccan Federation of Franchising (FMF), "the future will be difficult and uncertain, after 70 days of inactivity". Despite the resumption, the rebound in sales will not be immediate, but rather gradual, he fears. "According to our forecasts, it will take two years to regain a good level of growth and make up for the huge losses we have suffered," he adds.

Losses in terms of turnover, jobs and added value which, according to him, amount to several tens of billions of dirhams. "We are calling on the competent authorities so that franchises and organized businesses have better prospects for development, recovery and integration of resilience principles," says Mohamed El Fane, who specifies that all members have taken advantage of this difficult period "to restructure and prepare for the new challenges of reopening, cash flow management, staff remotivation, and adaptation of our products to the new consumer requirements".

For this resumption of activities, health measures have been taken to reassure customers. All the brands of the Federation have implemented hygiene and safety devices.