Franchising can be one of the most effective ways to grow a brand – not just nationally, but globally. But growth outside the US won't be easy. Expansion to other countries and cultures create unique challenges, including finding local partners and adapting to local tastes. However, the challenge is often worth it: Success strengthens a brand as a whole and makes its systems even better here at home. That's why we celebrate the companies with the most successful international franchise programs in this annual ranking.
To determine this ranking, we start with our ownership Franchise 500 ranking formula – which evaluates franchise companies on more than 150 data points, in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength and financial strength – and adjusts it to give more weight to the size and growth of the system outside the US Each company receives a score after being put through this formula, and the top-scoring companies become our top 200 global franchises.
If you're interested in opening a franchise outside of the US or just want to buy a brand that's known around the world, this list can serve as a great starting point. But it is not intended as an endorsement of any particular company. Before investing in any exclusivity opportunityalways do your due diligence. Read the company's legal documents, consult with an attorney and an accountant, and talk to current and former franchisees to find out if it's right for you.
See the full list here.
Related: Exploring expansion strategies for franchise success, from growing goals
We asked…
What's new for your international brand?
“Following our successful expansion into Australia and New Zealand, we are excited to introduce a new program that enables experienced recruitment candidates to join as employees, with a clear path and plan to franchise ownership. In addition , we have just launched Express Health Staffing as an international franchise opportunity for those with a healthcare background.” – Vinny Provenzano, senior vice president of global franchising, Express Employment Professionals (No. 42)
“Expanding in Romania is an exciting opportunity for us. The country's cultural emphasis on education, with over 50% of primary and secondary students using tutoring services, demonstrates their commitment to academic excellence which aligns perfectly with our mission. In addition, Romania's growing middle class and franchise-friendly environment make it an ideal market for rapid expansion.” – Benjamin Simon, regional vice president of internationals, Matnasium (No. 118)
“We have seen a significant increase in franchise requests from Central and South America. We recently opened in Puerto Rico and added two more locations in Mexico and are excited and ready to expand into Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Panama and Costa Rica our training, marketing and support systems are all available in Spanish and the appropriate team is in place. – Jesse Johnstone, president, Fibrenew (No. 182)