Change the World: One Franchise at a Time

Although America appears to be the almighty king of all things franchising, with more than 12,000 McDonald’s locations littering the country, a Starbucks for every corner and fast food options that encompass every category of cuisine, franchising hot spots are emerging all around the world. “We’re seeing a huge interest in American brands right now,” says Scott Lehr, Senior Vice President of U.S. and International Development for the International Franchise Association. “And it’s not just in hotels and restaurants, which are generally the type of industries that move into international markets first, but interest across all industries, such as child and adult education and senior care.” To see what stretch of the globe you should be setting up shop, check out our collection of the best regions for international franchising. Canada [caption id="attachment_7509" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Michael Mabry, Director of Franchising at MOOYAH Burgers, Fries and Shakes"][/caption] For success close to home, franchisors need only to cast their gaze north. “Vancouver, Winnipeg and Toronto are all fantastic markets to be looking into right now,” says Michael Mabry, Director of Franchising at MOOYAH Burgers, Fries and Shakes, a company well on its way to opening locations in Canada. “These are areas where people are well-versed in the food trends of today, they’re operating in stable economies and they’re knowledgeable about franchising.” Chris Moradian, MOOYAH’s master franchisee in Canada, agrees. “In general, there’s a lot of immigration taking place,” he says of the country. “Vancouver, particularly, is a huge growing market, and we’ve seen a lot of people coming here to get into business for themselves.” Moradian also points to Toronto’s home province of Ontario, as well as Vancouver’s British Columbia, as the country’s two primary immigration centers where business is sure to boom. London [caption id="attachment_7511" align="alignleft" width="100" caption="Blake Martin, Vice President of International Operations for Right at Home*"][/caption] Blake Martin, Vice President of International Relations for in-home senior care company Right at Home, says that despite the fact that it might seem like a “throwback” or “surprise” for the top spot for international franchising, this U.K. hub is the place to be. “The ease of doing business, the transparency and the infrastructure are all very familiar and comfortable to brands that are based in the U.S. and really anywhere,” he says. “It’s a market that’s accustomed to interacting with purchasing and developing international products and services.” Martin also points to the large amount of wealth in London and says finding success in the city is a matter of finding a way to tap into that affluence. “If you can do that, then there is a purchasing public that will definitely be interested in your goods.” South Asia and the Middle East “Asia is certainly on the top of many people’s list, but that doesn't exclusively mean China,” Lehr says. “Markets [caption id="attachment_7515" align="alignright" width="118" caption="Scott Lehr, Senior Vice President of U.S. and International Development for the International Franchise Association"][/caption] like Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam, where the middle-class is really booming and there’s a strong interest in American brands, are quite appealing for franchisors at the current time.” Hair Parra, Vice President of International Development for Wing Zone mirrors this sentiment and debunks any myths that the people of countries like Vietnam have no interest in American brands. “Because I’d been to Vietnam many years ago, I thought people wouldn't want anything to do with companies from the U.S., but in Vietnam, they love anything U.S.A.” he says. “Plus in these Asian places, the economies are a lot stronger.” Parra also believes the gulf area of the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, despite U.S. feelings that brands wouldn't be welcome there, are ripe for franchising. “Once you travel there, you see that people love it and embrace us,” he says. --- For a look at how New York-based cupcake shop Magnolia Bakery expanded from a small spot on a quaint street to international locations in Dubai and Qatar,  check out the video below, courtesy of CNN International: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KxykewqHgY