As our world grows extra related, franchise manufacturers are discovering extra alternatives to increase past borders. Even the journey restrictions and shutdowns of the final two years couldn’t cease many manufacturers’ worldwide development—and now that these roadblocks are lifting, growth efforts will doubtless speed up much more.
Entrepreneur’s High International Franchises rating celebrates the highest 200 franchise manufacturers increasing outdoors the U.S. All collectively, they symbolize greater than 459,000 whole models worldwide — nearly half of that are worldwide — and so they added greater than 7,900 worldwide franchise models from July 2020 to July 2021.
Right here’s a more in-depth take a look at how just some of those franchise manufacturers are making their mark on the worldwide stage.
KFC, No. 1:
KFC was one of many earliest fast-food franchises to increase internationally within the Nineteen Sixties, and in 1987 turned the primary Western fast-food firm to open in China. As we speak, the model that started in a roadside gasoline station in Kentucky has greater than 5 occasions as many worldwide eating places as home ones. It even continued rising internationally on the peak of the pandemic. Its 25,000th retailer opened on New Yr’s Even 2020, in Hyderabad, India, and is led and operated by an all-woman crew.
Papa Johns, No. 21:
Papa Johns has entered 15 new international locations lately, and final yr alone it introduced offers to increase into Cambodia, Germany, Kenya and Uganda. It additionally continues to develop its presence in international locations that already know the model. In January, Papa Johns introduced a partnership with non-public fairness agency FountainVest Companions to open greater than 1,350 new shops throughout South China by 2040. The franchise growth settlement in China is the most important within the firm’s historical past and can develop its international unit rely by 25%.
Picture Credit score: Courtesy of Focus Manufacturers
Cinnabon, No. 34:
Final yr, on high of opening 215 new shops, Cinnabon offered greater than 225 worldwide growth commitments, together with a take care of a grasp franchisee to open 130 shops within the Kingdom or Saudi Arabia within the subsequent 5 years. That may make it the model’s largest market outdoors the U.S. — and it’s already seeing success. Growing on-line ordering and supply has been a spotlight for all Cinnabon eating places all over the world over the past yr, and Saudi Arabia’s present shops noticed supply develop by 193% in 2021 in comparison with 2020.
Freedom Boat Membership, No. 85:
Freedom Boat Membership was primarily a North American franchise, however since opening its first U.Okay. location final April, it has quickly expanded its presence in Europe. It just lately added a second location within the U.Okay., a 3rd in France, and thru the acquisition of Fanautic Membership, it now has 23 areas throughout the coast of Spain. The boats obtainable at every location fluctuate with the native tradition and waterways: Whereas the corporate’s U.S. fleets make use of few crusing boats, they’re plentiful in Spain, and speedy inflatable boats are particularly standard within the U.Okay.
Membership Pilates, No. 179:
The primary Membership Pilates in Spain opened in Barcelona in September, helmed by the area’s grasp franchisees, brothers Fernando and Horacio Rosentgberg. Horacio additionally owns a number of Membership Pilates areas in South Florida, and the brothers’ familiarity with the model helped them efficiently launch within the Spanish market. They’ve made variations like a sleeker, extra subtle inside design and an elevated presence on Instagram, which is extra standard with members in Spain than Fb. They’ve already opened two further areas, with extra within the pipeline.
Persistent Tacos, No. 186:
When some manufacturers dip their toes in to worldwide waters, they follow markets near house. Persistent Tacos’ first foray outdoors the U.S. and Canada went a lot additional — all the way in which to Japan. The corporate has opened 5 franchises there over about 5 years and realized to regulate its choices to suit native tastes alongside the way in which. Mexican meals remains to be comparatively new in Japan, to the Japanese shops assist clients by selling prompt orders over the customization that’s standard within the U.S., and so they additionally supply smaller parts.
