The Tribune

GRAND Bahama is the site of BTC’s first franchise store.

Nestled in the Britannia Plaza, Polaris Drive in the Caravel Beach area, the store will be operated by businessman Keith Rolle.

This new store will mirror the nine other retail stores around the country, including three in Grand Bahama, offering the same line of BTC products and services.

Aside from serving the communications needs of the community, the aim is to give BTC a chance to test and refine the franchise process, with a view to fully launching 40 franchise stores nationwide.

“BTC officials will closely examine every process from customer service to back office processes with a view to ironing out the kinks before we roll out the other 39 stores across the country,” said senior manager of public relations Jerome Sawyer.

Customers will experience the same level of service as in any other BTC flagship stores, said senior manager for Grand Bahama and Bimini Michael Laing.

“You can still purchase SIMS, phones, sign up for landline service, vibe, internet and mobile service.”

Laing and his Grand Bahama team have been training the new staff for the franchise store and will continue to provide a few weeks of customer service and back office support after the opening.

Laing said: “We will have full-time BTC staff in this store until we are satisfied that everything is running smoothly.”

Grand Bahama businessman Keith Rolle, the very first franchise holder, said although he has been in business for years, operating a franchise will be a unique experience for him. “In business there are always expectations, but this time around the expectations are high. We are ready for the challenge,” he said.

Rolle plans on hiring between 6 and 8 employees in the start-up phase.