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Franchise World Link is launched in Middle East

We are happy to announce the launch of Franchise World Link in Middle East!

Franchise World Link, an innovative company which owns and manages a technology platform to connect all the players in the franchise industry: individuals, entrepreneurs, startups, franchisors, master franchisee investors and venture capital funds, is delighted to announce the launch of their Middle East Representative Office in Dubai, UAE.

Dubai as one of the most dynamic and vibrant cities in the world is the commercial heart of the Persian Gulf and displays strong socio-economics, a business friendly climate and long-term foundations for a franchise concept to succeed. Being the 7th most visited city of the world based on air traffic, Dubai is expected to accommodate over 15 million tourists by 2015 and its gross domestic product is projected at USD 107.1 billion, with a growth rate of 6.1% in 2014. Most renowned global franchisors are progressively more attracted to the Dubai market where the fast food and convenience sector, represents about 40% of the overall franchise market.

Amir Hossein Roshanzamir has recently been appointed as the Middle East’s Director for Franchise World Link organisation, and is sharing his views on international franchise opportunities within the region.

” I think that the world is changing so rapidly and globalization is driving companies beyond the boundaries of local and traditional way of doing business. The leading technology trends in IT including peer-to-peer based social networks, mobile, cloud and big data are transforming the structure of many companies and creating lucrative business opportunities for them to grow through franchising. The Middle East is one of the fastest growing markets for the franchise business model and provides unique and rewarding opportunities for brands who are looking to launch or expand franchises. Experts figure out that the franchise concept has an annual growth of 25% which is increasing every year. It is predicted that over $25 Billion will be spent on retail business and service sectors in the Middle East annually and a sizable portion of this is allocated to the franchise market. Meanwhile, franchising is considered the favorable and dominant model of entry for international brands, since commercial laws in most countries within the region require that local citizens or corporations wholly owned by those citizens run the business.” Even for SMEs who cannot afford the high startup costs, Amir says, “The right location, a solid infrastructure, and superior quality can open up a niche market with incremental growth.”

Amir, who has been living in Dubai for almost 14 years, is an electrical engineer, received his MSc. in Information Technology and an MBA from Manchester Business School. He has more than 18 years of experience in international business, finance, sales and marketing and business consultancy. Amir brings a rigorous academic background as a part time researcher and university teaching assistant. He is also a reviewer and member of the technical program committee of  International Conferences. Amir has a strong network both in academia and the real business world and has attended executive courses at some of the top universities including MIT Sloan, NYU Stern, Tuck, Columbia, IESE,  ie and Bradford.

If you own a business in the Middle East and are looking to expand internationally or if you are an investor seeking for emerging and lucrative opportunities to buy the master franchise ownership for a particular brand, you may contact Amir Hossein Roshanzamir. He will be happy to help you to develop a business plan for your global expansion and introduce you to the right people: amir.roshanzamir@franchiseworldlink.com

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Franchise World Link Investor Networking Day in Paris, France

Franchise World Link Investor Networking Day in Paris, France

28th of May 2015

#FWLParis2015

May, 28th 2015: Investor Networking day

If you are an investor and looking for an interesting franchise business opportunities abroad or you have a business which is ready to expand internationally, this event is for you!

Purpose of the event is to connect investors with international franchise opportunities, to understand peculiarities of the franchise environment in various countries, to build valuable connections within franchise industry and to exchange best practices.

Location: Our private networking event is going to be held at prestigious location on board of a luxury Yacht at L’atelier du France. Port de Grenelle, 75015 Paris, France

Yacht at L’atelier du France
Yacht at L’atelier du France

Price: Free of charge.

Organisers:

Event is organised in collaboration with Odyssée RH – French partner of Franchise World Link network

The franchise country managers for the following countries will attend:

Australia | Israel | Kenya | Netherlands | Spain | Vietnam | South Africa | Singapore

To share this information in social media, please use following hashtag: #FWLParis2015

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France hosts the first Franchise World Link convention . Press-release. 19/06/2015

Franchise World Link is an international franchise broker focusing on helping franchise businesses to expand abroad.

The first convention for the Franchise World Link country managers was held on 27 and 28 May 2015 in Paris. Local representatives from Vietnam, Chile (South America), Kenya, Spain, Singapore, Philippines, Israel, and the Netherlands turned out for the event. Other country managers from South Africa, Australia, the United States and Morocco were attending by videoconferencing.

The convention was organized over 2 days:

On the first working day, each participant presented the activities of his own country (GDP, economic growth, franchising, Master Franchise projects in progress …). Then, the participants worked on key strategic elements to be included in a Master Franchise agreement with a particular focus on regulatory constraints applying to distribution laws in different countries. The first day ended with a benchmark of best practices from each country manager.

The next day, each representative of these countries had an appointment with selected upstream investors. These potential future master franchisees came from all over France to explain their investment projects in order to acquire the right to the French Master Franchise.

The various directors of international development for ten French franchisor also had the opportunity to meet with Franchise World Link country managers to discuss opportunities for exporting their brands to their respective countries. The feedback from our franchise professionals and the support offered to the countries of destination assured interest in international development.

“This two-day convention allowed each country manager from Franchise World Link to exchange in a more user-friendly way than via weekly video conferences. It also brought a lot to everyone in terms of sharing methodology and knowledge of the potential of franchise systems growth on every continent “specifies Olivier Guerrero, CEO of World Franchise Link.

Franchise World Link operates in 10 countries worldwide. These country managers all have experience in the world of franchising and licensing systems in their respective countries. Franchise World Link is a technology platform that connects all players in the world of franchising in fast-growing countries worldwide: individual (individual franchisee?), creator and entrepreneur, startup, franchisor, master franchisor and investor.

Franchise World Link will help you franchise your business abroad and develop your international expansion strategy. FWL is built around a business flow offering various opportunities in franchising, licensing and joint venture.

In France, World Franchise Link is represented by two very experienced professionals and franchise experts:

Thierry Bismuth, in charge of relations with the candidates (selected French investors wishing to acquire the Master Franchise for foreign brands in France).

David Borgel, in charge of relations with French retail Franchisor wishing to go international (analysis of economic feasibility, legal aspects, customs and logistics for export projects).

PR contact France : david.borgel@franchiseworldlink.com / +33 6 11 19 18 44

PR contact International : kate.hubchyk@franchiseworldlink.com

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Franchise World Link is launched in Kenya

Franchise World Link – the innovative company aiming to connect players in the franchise industry worldwide and focusing on developing regions such as Africa, Asia, and North America – is pleased to announce the launch of their new country – Kenya.

Marie Vandenabeele, who has recently been appointed as Kenya’s country manager for Franchise World Link organisation, is sharing her views on international franchise opportunities in Kenya: “Kenya’s innovative franchise opportunities will improve its lifestyle. In the last 3 years we have seen several master franchises opening in Kenya, mainly in the food industry: Naked Pizza, Subway, KFC, Domino’s Pizza, and Ocean Basket, just to name a few. Other sectors with the biggest opportunities are clothing, baby clothing and accessories, furniture and decoration, beauty and cosmetics. Kenya’s affordability, quality and fast growing middle range brands increased the interest for the master franchise concept in Kenya. Owning the master franchise contract for the country simply means the ownership of the brand, the business concept and the operations in that particular country. Franchise World Link is also helping Kenyan concepts to export themselves to other countries”.

Marie, who has now been living in Kenya for almost 4 years and in the East African Region for the last 10 years, is experienced in financial operations, business development, and setting up international companies in East Africa.

With its 45M inhabitants and a continuously growing middle class, Kenya is developing very fast. The annual GDP growth rate is 5,5% and Kenya is now considered as an emerging market by the franchising industry.

If you own a business and are looking to expand to Kenya or if you are an investor looking to buy the master franchise ownership for a particular brand in Kenya, please contact Marie Vandenabeele who will be happy to introduce you to the right people in the country and to develop a business plan for your expansion into Kenya: marie.vandenabeele@franchiseworldlink.com

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D. Borgel (Franchise World Link) : « La France a toujours eu un côté attractif »

Pourquoi un concept étranger va-t-il fonctionner en France et pas un autre ? Quels obstacles une enseigne doit-elle surmonter pour s’implanter ? David Borgel, country manager France chez Franchise World Link, livre ses conseils en la matière.

Crédits photo : Droits Réservés
David Borgel, country manager France chez Franchise World Link.

Interview

POUR QUELLES RAISONS UNE ENSEIGNE ÉTRANGÈRE CHERCHE-T-ELLE À S’IMPLANTER EN FRANCE ?

La France a toujours eu un côté attractif, et ce à plusieurs niveaux. Il ne faut pas oublier qu’il s’agit de la première destination touristique mondiale, preuve que le territoire séduit à l’étranger par de nombreux aspects. Etonnamment pourtant, un grand nombre de concepts originaux n’ont pas encore été importés, laissant un champ des possibles immense pour nombre d’enseignes internationales. Dernièrement, par exemple, Paris a vu arriver plusieurs concepts d’escape game*. Face au succès remporté, ce concept importé d’Asie commence à se développer plus largement sur le territoire et dans le reste de l’Europe (NDLR relire notre article sur les ambitions de Mystery Escape). Il s’agit d’une première : personne n’avait jamais véritablement réfléchi à un concept ludique destiné aux adultes.

Autre facteur : le dynamisme du pays. Quoi qu’on en dise, le marché français demeure attractif. Surtout, les Français sont familiers des chaînes et la franchise est un mode de distribution qui fonctionne bien dans le pays (NDLR la France est le premier marché européen en matière de franchise). D’autant que des organismes sérieux existent, comme la Fédération française de la franchise et l’Iref, qui peuvent conseiller et aider les acteurs.

INVERSEMENT, QU’EST-CE QUI FREINE L’ENVIE DE CERTAINES MARQUES DE S’INSTALLER DANS L’HEXAGONE ?

Beaucoup pourraient penser automatiquement aux prix de l’immobilier commercial dans certaines zones, à la fiscalité en vigueur ou à d’autres facteurs de ce type. Toutefois, je pense qu’il s’agit davantage de mythes plutôt que de véritables freins. En revanche, j’ai pu constater au travers de mon expérience un obstacle au développement d’une enseigne en franchise en France : la barrière de la langue. Je suis impressionné de voir que les marques étrangères peinent à pénétrer le marché simplement parce que beaucoup parlent mal anglais. Ce qui se traduit par une pénibilité plus grande pour nouer des relations directes avec les acteurs locaux, notamment lorsqu’il s’agit de trouver un partenaire de confiance avec qui se développer. Dans d’autres pays européens comme l’Allemagne, ce genre de problématique se pose moins.

QUELS SONT LES PRINCIPAUX RISQUES D’ÉCHECS D’UNE TELLE STRATÉGIE ?

Lorsqu’une enseigne étrangère envisage de s’implanter en France, elle doit se poser les mêmes questions que tout réseau avant de s’installer dans une zone précise : il n’y a pas de différence majeure. Une solide étude de marché doit être menée, et l’enseigne doit s’entourer d’experts pour obtenir des conseils avisés. Bien sûr, la particularité culturelle doit être prise en compte : tout concept ne peut être développé partout avec succès.

La plus grosse erreur que pourrait commettre une marque réside dans le choix de son partenaire à l’export : qu’il s’agisse d’une master-franchise, d’une joint-venture ou d’une franchise directe, les risques d’échecs sont fortement partagés avec cet acteur. Surtout dans le cadre d’une master-franchise, où un seul partenaire sera en charge du développement de l’enseigne au niveau national. D’ailleurs, certains groupes très prudents optent pour une segmentation du pays en master-franchises régionales. Un moyen aussi de multiplier les droits d’entrée. Mais, il ne s’agit pas obligatoirement de la formule la plus conseillée : l’important est de sélectionner le bon partenaire.

*Escape game : jeu consistant à sortir d’une pièce en résolvant une série d’énigmes.

Franchise World Link arrive en France

Né aux Etats-Unis en 2014, Franchise World Link est un service de mise en relation entre tous les acteurs de la franchise dans le monde. Investisseurs, enseignes, master-franchiseurs, entrepreneurs… Le but est de faire se rencontrer les porteurs de projets et financeurs pour développer avec succès des concepts étrangers dans certains pays.  « L’initiative est partie d’un constat simple, explique David Borgel, en charge de la France pour Franchise World Link, avec Thierry Bismuth (Odyssée RH).Plusieurs réseaux ont essayé de partir à l’étranger, mais ont échoué, le plus souvent par méconnaissance du marché local. » Le but de cette plateforme ne consiste donc pas seulement en une mise en relation des futurs partenaires, mais veille aussi à promulguer des conseils avisés pour réussir l’implantation dans le pays.  « Certaines marques nous sollicitent même pour des marchés similaires ou proches, comme l’Espagne et les Pays-Bas », poursuit David Borgel.
Aujourd’hui présents dans une quinzaine de pays comme les Etats-Unis, le Kenya, l’Australie, le Japon, le Maroc et le Viêtnam, ces   « courtiers en achat et vente de master-franchises », selon les termes du dirigeant Olivier Guerrero, pourraient faciliter l’introduction de nouveaux concepts étrangers sur le marché français dans un avenir proche.

As seen in LesEchos: http://www.lesechosdelafranchise.com/dossiers/la-france-terre-d-accueil-pour-les-franchises-etrangeres/d-borgel-franchise-world-link-la-france-a-toujours-eu-un-cote-attractif-46321.php

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