7th World Franchise Forum & Expo opens: 150 delegates and 50 franchise brands

Global trends show 32% franchisors scouting for overseas markets

Dubai, April 14, 2015: The 7th World Franchise Forum & Expo opened today at Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai, with participation of 150 delegates and 50 brands from the region and across the globe.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Kit Brinkley, Events Director of World Franchise Associates, hailed franchising as a community of self-employed people who are part of a closely knit family. He said the importance of franchising in the region was reflected in the participation of delegates from 15 countries, including the GCC, US, UK, Russia, Azerbaijan, South East Asia and Pakistan.

The opening session was addressed by Abdul Kareem of Abdul Kareem Alsaraj (platinum sponsor), Werner Vanherle, Managing Director of Creneau International, Belgium and Richard Bergfors, CEO of Max Burgers (Sweden). Sary Hamway, Director of WFA, spoke on ’10 Laws of Successful Franchisors.’

One of the highlights of the event was the section named ‘Inspiring Women in Franchising’ which was addressed, among others, by Mona Ataya, CEO Mumzworld, Aline Kamakian of Fig Holding, Lebanon and Eman Bu-Rashid, CEO of Keynotes Consultants, Bahrain.

The global franchising expansion drive continues unabated, with 32 per cent of the top 200 franchises being located outside their domestic market, according to the International Franchise Association. 

The 7th World Franchise Forum & Expo is supported by Federation of GCC Chambers (FGCCC) and Middle East & North Africa Franchise Association (MENAFA).

Kit Brinkley, Events Director of World Franchise Associates, said emerging markets were growing in importance, especially in the world of franchising. According to figures released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, over 75 percent of the expected growth in the world’s trade over the next two decades will come from emerging markets. While developed markets exhibit low, single-digit growth rate, many emerging markets has maintained high levels of growth, both in the GDP and in the GDP per capita.

International growth is not just driven by the big franchises that have always been players in this field, but smaller systems as well, leading to many brands expanding internationally.  Franchising offers real benefits, not only to the brand owner but also to its franchisees with a number of clear advantages for smaller companies looking at global markets. Franchising also allows companies to attract high quality local investors. These investors have a great incentive to make the project a success in their local market as they also have a strong understanding of the local market.

The Dubai event is supported by Abdul Samad Al Qurashi, the renowned producer of Arabian perfumes from Saudi Arabia, as a Platinum Sponsor, who is joined by sponsors Flip Out from the UAE and Steak n Shake from the US.