When Jake Intia decided to switch careers and pursue franchising, little did he know that it would lead to a life-changing decision? As a ‘Frentrepreneur,’ or one of the franchise entrepreneurs under the House of Fruitas (HoF) group of brands, he found that the sky is the limit for opportunities. More than being able to provide for his family, Intia continued his growth, starting from one stall to now managing over 50 fruitful franchise stores today.
Jake Intia’s franchising journey began 16 years ago with a Jamaican Pattie franchise, one of the marquee brands of the House of Fruitas. The positive performance of his first stall gave him the confidence to invest in another. But this time, it was with the flagship brand. “It was clear to me that Fruitas was the brand to choose,” Intia explained his choice, “as anywhere I saw their stall, it never seemed to run out of customers lining up to get their hands on one of their shakes or juices.”
The success of his first Jamaican Pattie franchise led to the opening of several more, and today, Intia manages over 50 stalls on a variety of brands under House of Fruitas.
And there’s room for more, according to Intia. “With the way, House of Fruitas helps you in getting your store up and running, and their guidance when it comes to management, it leads to a level of efficiency that allows you to save resources and energy to do other things,” he shared. “For me, I put it into investing in their other brands, so in a way, I was also investing in my growth.”
Intia spoke fondly of his relationship with the House of Fruitas. “From the very first stall I franchised from them, I felt like they were truly invested in seeing me succeed. I owe them the confidence I have, and I’m blessed to have them as partners.”
Before becoming a Frentrepreneur, Intia had a career with one of the country’s leading oil firms and as a professor. But despite working two jobs then, he found his true calling after moving to franchising and becoming his own boss. “Before, I was worried about my finances, but now I have a better life because of the good stream of income that franchising has provided me,” he said.
Intia’s story is a testament to the fact that franchising can be a viable career option for those who are willing to work hard and take the leap of faith. Aspiring Frentrepreneurs, he believes, should “do it now.”
“Don’t wait until you think you will be comfortable doing it. Your character is your most important investment.”
One of the key benefits he attests to was the personal growth that comes with being a Frentrepreneur. His growth from managing one stall to more than 50, according to Intia, “takes leadership, management, and business acumen.” He has also succeeded in creating job opportunities for others and being a part of building a thriving community.
Guidance and close assistance to their Frentrepreneurs has always been a key priority for the House of Fruitas, according to CEO Lester Yu. “We’re more than just a brand: we aim to be a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about business and providing affordable yet quality products and services to customers. As a Frentrepreneur, you become a part of this community, and you get access to our resources and full support in growing your business.”
For those who are considering franchising as a career option, Intia’s story serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. The franchising industry is constantly evolving and offers a wide range of opportunities for those who are willing to take the first step.