Abstract

Purpose - This paper attempts to provide an understanding of practice of franchising in eight countries - USA, UK, Australia, Brazil, China, Malaysia, South Africa and Nigeria. The bases of the review are: number of systems and outlets, employment generation, annual turnover, GDP contribution, legal and regulatory frameworks and country-specific franchise business practice nuances. Research design, data and methodology - the paper is descriptive, highlighting elements of the business practice that distinguish one country from another. Documentary data - mainly industry publications supplemented by empirical literature - was used for the review. Result - Although there are commonalities in the technical design and implementation of franchise business practice - especially the business model type - differences exist in terms of legal and regulatory frameworks guiding the industry across the eight countries studied. Conclusion - There are no two countries that have the same franchise practices. Franchise markets in the developed, and to some extent, the emerging economies have saturated. Franchise markets in African countries are at infant stage and thus, these countries are strategizing to attract foreign brands into their domains.