Franchise market growing at over 30% per annum

Hyderabad: The country’s franchise market, estimated to be $4 billion in 2011, is growing at a healthy pace of over 30 per cent per annum with tier II and tier III cities gradually getting hooked to the network of retailers and franchisers.

If the education sector was in the forefront offering franchise options, it now encompasses food and beverages and other services sectors, according to representatives taking part at the two-day FRO 2012 being hosted at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC).

Mr Gaurav Marya, President of Franchise India, said: “Franchising in India has witnessed impressive growth of around 30-35 per cent year-after-year over the last 4-5 years with an estimated turnover of $4 billion. It is helping transform good ideas into businesses. The FRO serves as a platform to identify, foster and commercialise innovative business start-up ideas and to meet the demands of today’s dynamic entrepreneurial arena.”

Brainworks, Buzz, Chhabra 555, Coffee Beans and Tea & Leaf, Cookieman, Gelato, Juice Salon, Mother Earth, Kwality Walls, New Zealand Naturals, are among a host of others taking part in the concurrent exposition.

The exposition serves as a regional platform for potential tie-ups where companies present their franchise concepts. Typically, franchise options come with a starting investment of Rs 5 lakh going up to Rs 5 crore.

More than 5,000 participants are expected to take part during the event and get a chance to interface with companies’ representatives and explore opportunities for collaboration.