THE CARIBBEAN FRANCHSE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IS AN INFORMAL BODY THAT EMERGED FROM THE CFS AND HAS BEEN CONVENED TO OVERSEE, GUIDE, AND SUSTAIN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STRUCTURED FRANCISE ECOSYSTEM ACROSS THE CARIBBEAN REGION

SLUDTERA Inc., in partnership with Franchise Marketing Systems (FMS) of the United States, today announced the establishment of the Caribbean Franchise Development Council — an informal body that emerged from the Caribbean Franchise Summit and has been convened to oversee, guide, and sustain the development of a structured franchise ecosystem across the Caribbean region.

 

The Council was formed in direct response to the momentum generated at the Caribbean Franchise Summit, where the need for a governing body capable of giving structure and long-term direction to the region’s franchise ambitions became clear. Comprising four members whose collective expertise spans franchise development, entrepreneurship, communications, and digital marketing, the Council will serve as the steward of the Caribbean franchise ecosystem — setting standards, governing the Caribbean Franchise Development Program, and ensuring the integrity and impact of the region’s growing franchise industry.

 

Council Membership

The Caribbean Franchise Development Council is comprised of the following members:

 

SLUDTERA Inc.

Mrs. Samuel serves as Chair of the Caribbean Franchise Development Council and is the founder of SLUDTERA Inc., MNS Consultancy, and BizConnect Caribbean. A recognised voice in Caribbean business development, Mrs. Samuel was instrumental in convening the Caribbean Franchise Summit and has spearheaded the creation of the Caribbean Franchise Development Program, The Introduction to Franchising tertiary-level Course, and the regional franchise readiness ecosystem in partnership with Franchise Marketing Systems. 

 

Franchise Marketing Systems

Mr. Conner is the President of Franchise Marketing Systems, one of the most prominent franchise development consultancies in the United States. With decades of experience guiding businesses through the process of becoming franchise brands, Mr. Conner and his team that spans 14 locations across the globe, will bring unparalleled international franchise development expertise to the Council. His formal partnership with SLUDTERA Inc. and his endorsement of the Caribbean Franchise Readiness Assessment tool reflects a significant international commitment to Caribbean franchise development.

 

Game Changers 

Mr. St. Juste is an entrepreneur, communications professional, and journalist with hands-on expertise in the food and beverage and social media marketing industries. A holder of a Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of the Southern Caribbean, Mr. St. Juste brings strong business development acumen, multilingual communication skills, and entrepreneurial experience to the Council. His background in hospitality, leadership, and problem-solving positions him as a practical voice for the Caribbean business owner at the centre of the Council’s mission.

 

Blu Media Marketing

Ms. Joseph is a Digital and Social Media Marketing Consultant, Lifestyle Vlogger, and the founder of Blu Media Marketing — a social media marketing and consultancy enterprise established in 2017 with a mission to help growing businesses and startups build a robust online presence and connect with wider audiences. A 2023 YLAI Alumna, a 2021 Startup Huddle Collaborator Award Winner, and a 2024 Economic Empowerment Award Winner, Ms. Joseph brings a distinguished track record in brand development, digital marketing strategy, content creation, and online identity building to the Council. Her expertise ensures that the Caribbean franchise ecosystem is supported by the marketing intelligence and digital capability that modern franchise brands require to grow.

 

Key Stakeholder Support

Beyond its four members, the Caribbean Franchise Development Council is supported by a key stakeholder whose expertise in Caribbean business law, intellectual property, and commercial advisory is integral to the Council’s work. This legal professional’s insight is critical to establishing the governance frameworks, IP protection standards, and franchise legal infrastructure required for Caribbean businesses to franchise responsibly and with confidence. Their involvement ensures that the Council’s programmes and standards are grounded in sound legal and regulatory practice relevant to the Caribbean context.

 

Mandate and Governance Role

As an informal body, the Caribbean Franchise Development Council will operate with the flexibility and agility that the early stage of Caribbean franchise development demands, while maintaining clear accountability for the programs and standards it will govern. Its mandate encompasses the oversight of the Caribbean Franchise Development Program (CFDP) — the region’s first structured, six-month online training curriculum for established business owners seeking to franchise their businesses — as well as the Introduction to Franchising tertiary education course, the Caribbean Franchise Summit, the Caribbean Franchise Readiness Assessment tool, and the broader professional standards that will define the industry.

 

The Council will work to establish the professional norms, ethical standards, and support infrastructure that enable Caribbean businesses to enter franchising with the preparation, legal protection, and market understanding required to succeed. It will serve as the convening body for the franchise industry across the region, building relationships with governments, financial institutions, academic partners, and international franchise development organisations.

 

“The Caribbean Franchise Summit made one thing unmistakably clear, the appetite is here, the talent is here, and the time is now,” said Michelle N. Samuel, Chair of the Caribbean Franchise Development Council. “This Council exists to give that momentum a home. We are building the ecosystem, the governance, and the professional infrastructure that will allow Caribbean business owners to become the franchise brands, not just the franchisees. This is the vision of Shawna Rollins who inspired this entire movement. This is our turn to own.”

 

The Caribbean Franchise Ecosystem

The Caribbean Franchise Development Council will govern a growing ecosystem of programs, tools, and partnerships designed to move the region from franchise consumer to franchise creator:

 

The Caribbean Franchise Development Program (CFDP) — a six-month online training and development program for established Caribbean business owners. Two cohorts per year, maximum 20 participants per cohort. Graduates are matched with Franchise Marketing Systems and legal representation for continued development support.

Caribbean Franchise Summit (CFDP) — an annual 3-day event which will be held in Saint Lucia and on a different Caribbean island every other year. The inaugural event was funded by the U.S. Department of State and IREX YLAI Impact Grant and Bank of Saint Lucia as the Title sponsor.

The Introduction to Franchising Course — a tertiary-level course for Caribbean students studying beyond secondary school. Open for academic partnership with institutions across the region, including Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Monroe College, the University of the West Indies, the Barbados Community College, the University of The Bahamas, and the University of Trinidad and Tobago, etc.

The Caribbean Franchise Readiness Assessment Tool — a proprietary digital assessment tool developed by SLUDTERA Inc. and endorsed by Franchise Marketing Systems. The tool evaluates a business owner’s franchise readiness across six dimensions and provides a personalised Franchise Readiness Report. It is being publicly launched at the YLAI Regional Conference in Belize in early June 2025 and will be available at sludtera.org after the launch.