Article Archive - FranchiseTimes.com

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.

Laura Michaels

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.

Laura Michaels

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.

Laura Michaels

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.

Laura Michaels

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.

Laura Michaels

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).

Laura Michaels

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.

Laura Michaels

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.

Laura Michaels

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.

Laura Michaels

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.

Laura Michaels

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).

Laura Michaels

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.

Laura Michaels

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.

Laura Michaels

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.

Laura Michaels

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.

Laura Michaels

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.’

Laura Michaels

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.

Laura Michaels

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.

Laura Michaels

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.”

Staff

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.

Laura Michaels

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.

Laura Michaels

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.’

Laura Michaels

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.

Staff

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.

Alex Van Abbema

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.

Laura Michaels

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.

Staff

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.

Staff

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.

Laura Michaels

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.

Staff

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.

Nancy Weingartner

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.

Staff

01.24.2017

High standard of living attracts attention in Taiwan

Business ownership is revered in Taiwan, where entrepreneurs are seeking well-known franchise brands they can develop and where U.S. franchisors can test their concepts before launching in mainland China.

Laura Michaels

12.27.2016

Taiwan, at a glance

Location: In Southeast Asia, Taiwan borders the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, Taiwan Strait, and the South China Sea just east of mainland China. Size and name: The island is about the size of Maryland and Delaware combined. Officially known as the Republic of China.

Staff

12.27.2016

‘Zors see opportunity in Brazil despite economic turmoil

Franchise brands are looking to the future in Brazil and Uruguay, two South American markets with plenty of potential but in need of some economic growth and development attention to reach it.

Laura Michaels

10.21.2016

Brazil and Uruguay at a glance

Language: Portuguese (Don’t speak to them in Spanish, and print materials in both English and Portuguese) Religion: 65% Roman Catholic

Staff

10.21.2016

Carl’s Jr. beefs up its Indian menu for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka doesn’t offer the population numbers its neighbor India does, but its inclusion in the December trade mission points to the fact that it’s ripe for expansion. Nothing is ever a given in international expansion, which is why a boots-on-the-ground approach is so valuable.

Nancy Weingartner

09.21.2016

Country Profile: Sri Lanka at a glance

The lion represents Sinhalese ethnicity, the strength of the nation and bravery; the sword demonstrates the sovereignty of the nation; the four bo leaves—symbolizing Buddhism and its influence on the country—stand for the four virtues of kindness, friendliness, happiness and equanimity.

Staff

09.21.2016

Specialists tell the upside of being down under

John Kanawati, a commercial specialist for the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney, answers questions posed to him by his U.S. colleagues, Jennifer Stone Marshall and Curt Cultice of the U.S. Commercial Service, on Australia’s mature market.

08.24.2016

All about franchising in Australia, at a glance

Location: Between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean Neighboring countries (include): Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to the north; and New Zealand to the southeast

Staff

08.24.2016

Canada is not one big, giant market to the north

We may talk alike, dress similar and act somewhat the same, but when it comes to franchising, Canada and the United States are not identical cousins. And that’s why you’ll need a guide to the great northern expansion.

Nancy Weingartner

07.20.2016

Country Profile: Facts about franchising in Canada

Location: North America Provinces: 10, plus four territories Capital: Ottawa Population: 35.8 million Urban population: 81.8% (Canada’s geography and harsh climate have tended to isolate the rural areas of the country; however, all that is changing with technology and the lessening need to “be in the office.”

Staff

07.20.2016

Affable, skilled workforce makes DR franchising a breeze

Baseball has been very, very good to the DR. One in eight pro baseball players hails from the Dominican Republic, and every major U.S. team has an academy training local youth in this island country. But getting the locals to play ball with your concept will take some due diligence.

Nancy Weingartner

05.24.2016

Country Profile: Dominican Republic at a glance

Location: Caribbean; shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. The island is located between Cuba and Puerto Rico Size: Twice the size of New Hampshire Population: 10.5 million

Staff

05.24.2016

Ample opportunities still exist in Peru

Peru has one of the most robust economies in Latin America and a government that’s committed to upgrading infrastructure. And even though the cuisine is a marriage of the best of several regions, there’s still a need for F&B concepts.

Nancy Weingartner

04.25.2016

Country Profile: Peru at a glance

Location: Western South America, between Chile and Ecuador and bordering the Pacific Ocean Capital: Lima (pop. 9.9 million) Other major cities: Arequipa (pop. 850,000); Trujillo (798,000)

Staff

04.25.2016

Country profile: Turkey at a glance

The red represents the blood of Turkey’s soldiers. The star and crescent design appears on Ottoman flags beginning in the late 18th or early 19th century.

Staff

03.22.2016

Upcoming trade mission to Mideast countries

The Middle East is a market that holds ample potential, but is often seen as too foreign a foreign market. In May, a certified trade mission is taking brands to four countries that are building mega-malls at a rapid clip. Sound like someplace your brand needs to be?

Nancy Weingartner

03.22.2016

Canal-bisected Panama helps franchisors test waters

Panama has a lot of advantages for franchisors wanting to break into the Latin American market. Business practices are a blend of U.S. and Latin styles—only conducted in Spanish.

Nancy Weingartner

02.23.2016

All about franchising in Panama, in one handy place

Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean

Staff

02.23.2016

Ireland is easy fit for franchisors

No need to kiss the Blarney Stone to get the gift of gab when heading to Ireland. The Irish don’t like hype, but they do appreciate negotiating with people they know and trust. So take the time to pop into the local pub to enjoy a pint of Guinness or cider with prospects.

Nancy Weingartner

01.20.2016

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