The Newest International Franchising Hot Spots Might Surprise You
When the United States announced it would lift trade sanctions on Cuba in December 2014, the franchise world went a little crazy. Breathless articles expounded on the types of franchises that could thrive there. PR companies scrambled to announce that their clients were looking seriously at the opportunity. But all this buzz distracted from an ever-growing opportunity already available to franchisors: The Caribbean and Central America, with their more than 200 million people, are already welcoming -- and many U.S. franchise systems see the region as more attractive than Asia or the Middle East.
Of course, that’s not to say the trip south will be easy. But with patience, close relationships and a savvy understanding of the market differences, franchise systems will find that the area is open for business.
