The McDonald’s franchise and international expansion

Around 25 per cent of all Australian franchisors have expanded globally.

A further 62 per cent plan to enter the global market in the coming three years.

Brands operating internationally include: Advanced Hair Studio, Cash Converters, Dome Coffee , Donut King , Dymocks , Fastway Couriers , Helen O-Grady Children's DramaAcademy , Im-Press Promotions , Jim's Mowing , Kleins , L.J. Hooker Real Estate, Pizza Haven, Snap Printing , The Cheesecake Shop and VIP Home Services .

Key international destinations include: New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, South Africa and Europe. While franchisors have traditionally been attracted to western countries for similarities in culture and language, in recent years, the trend has shifted to Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

New regulations allowing Australian franchisors into China is generating intense competition between foreigners and locals. L.J. Hooker, GymbaROO, Michel's Patisserie and Cookie Man already have a Chinese presence. 7-Eleven expects to have 350 stores in China by 2008 and McDonald’s is intending to expand from 150 to 1,000 stores by 2008.

Data source IBIS and BRW

The Franchise Council of Australia is a not for profit membership organisation that is the peak body representing the franchising sector in Australia.