Colombia is a franchise market on the rise, reports Country Profile
The flag retains the three main colors—yellow, blue, red—of the banner of Gran Colombia, the short-lived South American republic that broke up in 1830.
09.26.2019
Freddy’s makes Dubai debut, UAE growth to follow
Knowing it didn’t have culinary expertise, Tastebuds Group went the franchise route with Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, which it believes has the signature products to stand out with help from a heavy dose of marketing.
08.20.2019
U.S. franchises in demand in Bahrain, reports Country Profile
Red is the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states. The five points of the white serrated band represent the five pillars of Islam. Until 2002, the flag had eight white points, but this was reduced to five to avoid confusion with the Qatari flag.
08.20.2019
In SE Asia, Wing Zone franchisee adapts to his advantage
Calling virtual kitchens ‘the wave of the future,’ the founder of JNM Dining Concepts in Singapore gets creative to give consumers what they want as he aims to further expand Wing Zone as the master franchisee.
07.23.2019
Economic strength a draw in France, reports Country Profile
The origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution, when the “ancient French color” of white was combined with the blue and red colors of the Parisian militia.
07.22.2019
Mr. Transmission ‘zee aims to change Africa’s auto aftermarket
In an environment where bribery is still commonplace, this Mr. Transmission/Milex franchisee did ‘everything by the book’ to get her shop open in Nigeria, where she wants to bring transparency to the auto repair industry.
05.28.2019
Economic ups and downs in Malaysia, reports Country Profile
The flag’s 14 stripes stand for the equal status in the federation of the 13 member states and the federal government. The 14 points on the star represent the unity between these entities. The crescent is a traditional symbol of Islam, the blue symbolizes unity of the Malay people and yellow is the royal color of Malay rulers.
05.28.2019
Dale Carnegie franchise gives training global scale
From appealing to the ‘emotional side’ of the Dutch to making leaders out of ‘tech integrated’ millennials in Australia, franchisees take Dale Carnegie’s professional training to an international level.
04.23.2019
Changes coming in the Netherlands, Country Profile reports
The colors were derived from those of William I, Prince of Orange, who led the Dutch Revolt against Spanish sovereignty in the latter half of the 16th century. Originally, the upper band was orange, but because its dye tended to turn red over time, the red shade was eventually made the permanent color.
04.23.2019
IHOP bets on breakfast appeal in Peru
In a deal with a first-time Peruvian restaurant operator who also owns Toyota dealerships, IHOP adds to its international footprint.
03.20.2019
Economic gains attractive in Peru, reports Country Profile
Location: In western South America, between Chile and Ecuador and bordering the South Pacific Ocean, Peru is almost twice the size of Texas.
Language: Spanish (82.9%), Quechua (13.3%) and Aymara (1.6%) are all official languages
03.20.2019
Wayback Burgers makes Irish market entry
Already an experienced operator, franchisee Zubair Najm is expanding beyond pizza and subs to bring Irish consumers a fast-casual burger option. And while Ireland’s economy is strong, Brexit looms large.
02.22.2019
Disorderly Brexit would harm Ireland, in Country Profile
While officially its flag colors have no meaning, a common interpretation of Ireland’s flag is that the green represents the Irish nationalist (Gaelic) tradition of Ireland; orange represents the Orange tradition (minority supporters of William of Orange); and white symbolizes peace (or a lasting truce) between the green and the orange.
02.22.2019
Eat the Frog Fitness, Rush Bowls make play for Canada
Active, health-minded consumers are the target for emerging brands Eat the Frog Fitness and Rush Bowls, which are both working with first-time franchisees as they take their concepts across the border to the Canadian provinces.
01.23.2019
New trade deal shakes up Canada, in Country Profile
Northern North America, sharing the world’s longest international border with the United States. With its 10 provinces and three territories, Canada is slightly larger than the U.S. and also borders the North Atlantic, North Pacific and Arctic oceans.
01.23.2019
Proven concepts attractive in Chile
The blue of Chile’s flag symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes and red represents the blood spilled to achieve independence. The five-pointed star represents a guide to progress and honor.
12.18.2018
Technology is rising sector in Poland, Country Profile reports
The colors of Poland’s flag are derived from the Polish emblem: a white eagle on a red field. Its flag is similar to those of Indonesia and Monaco, which have red on top, white on bottom.
10.29.2018
Pie Hole tries Saudi Arabia growth
The operator’s family business includes Gloria Jean’s, It’s a Grind and now The Pie Hole, and he’ll avoid mistakes he made at an independent shop before going the franchise route. Meanwhile, an emerging brand will try again in Middle East.
09.25.2018
Free trade a priority in New Zealand, in Country Profile
Blue, with the flag of the U.K. in the upper hoist-side quadrant, New Zealand’s flag has four red stars that represent the Southern Cross constellation.
09.25.2018
Catering player takes Wetzel’s into China
Fifty stores are planned in an ambitious entry to China, and Wetzel’s Pretzels is keeping an eye on the first store’s performance. Food safety will be one draw, believes the partner who will bring his ‘love’ of the brand to his native country.
07.24.2018
Hong Kong provides easy Asian entry
With its red color that’s the same as that on the Chinese flag, representing the motherland, Hong Kong’s flag has a stylized, white, five-petal Bauhinia flower in the center. The flower was developed in Hong Kong in the late 19th century.
07.24.2018
Mosquito Squad mission turns personal in Kenya
As a malaria survivor, preventing needless deaths from mosquito-borne diseases is the goal for Mosquito Squad franchisee Fred Rariewa, along with building a business that improves people’s quality of life.
05.23.2018
Franchising’s fans grow in Czechia, in Country Profile
The Czechia flag combines the white and red colors of Bohemia with blue from the arms of Moravia. It is identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia.
05.22.2018
Operators take Denny’s, Which Wich to U.K.
In London, Which Wich aims to capitalize on a craving for hot sandwiches via a new deal with AAA Investment House and the brothers Awada. In Wales, Denny’s banks on demand for diner fare, with its new operator there saying he’s a ‘massive’ fan.
04.23.2018
Brexit puts U.K. in uncertain position
The red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) edged in white is superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which itself is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland).
04.23.2018
Politics aside, two brands see promise in Mexico
‘The American brand sells’ in Mexico, declares Abrakadoodle’s president, and two operators in Mexico City are opening their first bricks-and-mortar store. The Melting Pot, meanwhile, gains GINgroup as a partner with plans to develop 17 stores in Mexico.
03.26.2018
In Mexico, well-defined laws ease growth
The green, white and red vertical bands signify (in order) hope, joy and love; peace and honesty; and hardiness, bravery, strength and valor. Mexico’s coat of arms is derived from a legend that the wandering Aztec people were to settle where they would see an eagle on a cactus eating a snake; the city they founded, Tenochtitlan, is now Mexico City.
03.26.2018
In Italy, a fashionable marketplace
With three vertical bands of green, white and red, the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in 1797 inspired the design. The colors are those of Milan (red and white), combined with the green uniform color of the Milanese civic guard.
02.21.2018
Corripio Group puts ‘an experience’ first in DR
Franchisees of Title Boxing Club and SweetFrog Frozen Yogurt share their approach to expanding U.S. brands in Latin America. Corripio Group is adding Title to its holdings of Burger King, Papa John’s, Krispy Kreme and more.
01.24.2018
Country Profile describes a maturing market in DR
A white cross divides the flag into four rectangles: blue on the left upper and right lower corners and red on the top right and bottom left. A small coat of arms is at the center of the cross and above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto: Dios, Patria, Libertad (God, Fatherland, Liberty).
01.24.2018
Focus Brands stays flexible as it grows snack concepts
There’s no one-size-fits-all model for Focus Brands as international expansion continues for Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon. Instead it’s about adjusting to the local market—and the local challenges—to offer an indulgent snacking experience.
12.21.2017
In China, food dominates, rules complicate
Each component of the red flag with its large yellow star and four smaller yellow stars has a meaning. The color red symbolizes revolution, while the stars symbolize the four social classes—the working class, the peasantry, the urban petty bourgeoisie, and the national bourgeoisie (capitalists)—united under the Communist Party of China.
12.21.2017
UK, Malaysia operators freshen up Wingstop
Rick Ross catches the ear of a United Kingdom operator, who forms Lemon Pepper Holdings in homage to the rapper. In Malaysia, meanwhile, a new developer moves away from counter service to appeal to local customers.
10.24.2017
Country Profile: Hunting for growth in Argentina
The sky blue and white bands represent the clear skies and snow of the Andes, while the yellow sun symbol with a human face commemorates the appearance of the sun through cloudy skies on May 25, 1810, during the first mass demonstration in favor of independence.
10.24.2017
Top Kuwait operator, M.H. Alshaya, brings Blaze to Middle East
Already with more than 30 American brands in its portfolio, M.H. Alshaya Co. adds a fast-casual pizza concept it believes has immense potential and ‘will fit well in a market that prizes individuality, quality and convenience.’
09.22.2017
Philippines ripe for food expansion
Each element has a meaning. Blue stands for peace and justice, red symbolizes courage, and the white equal-sided triangle represents equality. The eight rays of the sun recall the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain, while the stars represent the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
09.21.2017
China’s next as Anytime Fitness tackles world
Since hitting 3,000 gyms worldwide in 2015, Anytime Fitness isn’t slowing its global growth, recently announcing plans for 300-plus locations in China. What’s the game plan? We asked to peek inside their playbook.
08.29.2017
No. 3 economy is Japan’s attraction
The red circle in the center of the white background represents the sun. The flag is called Hinomaru, which means “circle of the sun.”
08.28.2017
La Vida hopes Marilyn Monroe Spas draws globally
Citing its country’s growing middle class, master franchisee La Vida aims to capitalize on an American icon’s enduring association with glamour as it expands Marilyn Monroe Spas in India.
07.24.2017
Saudi Arabia at a glance
The only national flag to display an inscription as its principal design, the green Saudi flag (a traditional color in Islamic flags) puts the Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script above a white saber.
07.24.2017
Kuwait’s Gourmania stretches Ruby Tuesday
There’s nothing casual about Gourmania International’s approach to expanding Ruby Tuesday’s presence throughout the Middle East and North Africa, where the Kuwait-based master franchisee says family dining is still ‘a big hit.’
05.24.2017
Country Profile displays Vietnam at a glance
The five-pointed star represents the five elements of the populace—peasants, workers, intellectuals, traders and soldiers—that unite to build socialism. Red symbolizes revolution and blood.
05.23.2017
No ‘disjointed’ growth for Church’s Chicken
For a brand competing against the likes of McDonald’s and KFC in international expansion, Church’s Chicken knows it can’t contend with their sheer size. Instead, the brand is driven to be both smart and flexible as it’s ramped up its international growth in recent years.
05.23.2017
Spanish operator looking to add U.S. brands
New franchise partner Grupo Iberfood will start by developing the Hooters brand in Spain, where it says competitors are few and the locals ‘love sports, tasty food and beer’—not to mention the servers in orange hotpants.
04.27.2017
Country Profile puts the spotlight on Spain
The coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band is quartered to display the emblems of the traditional kingdoms of Spain (clockwise from upper left: Castile, Leon, Navarre, and Aragon), while the stylized pomegranate at the bottom of the shield represents Granada.
04.21.2017
Country Profile: All about United Arab Emirates
Slightly larger than South Carolina and bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, the UAE is located between Oman and Saudi Arabia in the Middle East.
03.22.2017
Mideast operator details Slim Chickens debut
Kuwaitis love chicken and sauces, says Alghanim Industries’ Phil Broad, making a partnership with U.S. fast-casual concept Slim Chickens the right move for the Kuwait-based company as it grows its franchise portfolio.
02.23.2017
Country Profile: Kuwait at a glance
Based on the Arab Revolt flag of WWI, the flag has three horizontal bands of color. Green represents fertile fields, white stands for purity, and red denotes blood on Kuwaiti swords. The black signifies the defeat of the enemy.
02.21.2017
Whirlwind return to India, Sri Lanka, reveals change
Governments in India and Sri Lanka are both trying to be more business-friendly. In India the challenge is that a large, populous country can’t “turn on a dime,” and in Sir Lanka, it’s recovering from civil war and debt. And still, seven U.S. franchisors met interested partners.
01.25.2017
Country profile: India’s info in one place
Saffron (subdued orange), which represents courage, sacrifice and the spirit of renunciation, is the color of the top horizontal band. White signifies purity and truth; green stands for faith and fertility. The blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) symbolizes the wheel of life in movement and death in stagnation.
01.24.2017
