To franchise or build your own brand?
The Middle East has transformed into a franchising powerhouse, offering major opportunities for international businesses keen to expand. However, choosing the right model can be key to future success. Roy Hintze, partner at PwC Middle East, weighs the options and factors to consider, from concept type to growth plans and market dynamics.
Middle Eastern franchising: a new import
The MENA region has long been a gateway for international franchises, welcoming global brands eager to expand. Now, as the market matures and competition intensifies, regional entrepreneurs are increasingly taking their own concepts abroad with success. Nagi Morkos, founder and managing partner at Hodema Consulting Services, looks at how shifting market trends are redefining the region’s franchising story.
4 steps to building a resilient franchise
As global markets become more complex and competitive, resilience has become the defining factor that sets robust franchise systems apart. Anthony Aucar, head of projects at Glee Hospitality Solutions, shares four core principles for businesses looking to implement a sustainable, scalable franchise model.
Franchising: a strategic tool for MENA hospitality growth
Growing investor confidence and economic diversification are prompting hospitality brands to rethink how they approach regional expansion. Hala Matar Choufany, president of HVS Middle East and Africa, spotlights the evolving partnership models and considers what they signal for the sector’s future.
Multi-unit franchise models: The full perspective
Babette Marzheuser-Wood is a founding partner at Global Franchise Group Dentons and managing director at Dentons Franchise Advisory. Here, she talks us through the benefits and potential challenges of these models, and shares her top negotiation tips.
Middle East’s thriving coffee scene: causing a stir
In this infographic, Carla Saliba, founder of Infographic.ly, crunches the numbers for the region’s flourishing coffee scene, from demographic differences to café hotspots, and finds that coffee culture is booming.
F&B franchising in the MENA: stronger than ever
In this infographic, Carla Saliba, founder of Infographic. ly, charts the regional F&B franchising industry’s growth trajectory, which signals a bright future and myriad opportunities, especially for homegrown concepts.
The 9 traps franchisors need to avoid
While turning a business into a franchise can be rewarding, the path to success is not always a smooth one. Nagi Morkos, founder and managing partner at Hodema Consulting Services, points out the pitfalls and takes us through the dos and don’ts when it comes to franchising.
How to build a strong franchise
Whether you are a franchisor or a franchisee, there are several important considerations to take into account before entering into a franchise agreement, as Christian Salloum, founder and managing director of BrandPortunity Hospitality Consultancy, points out.
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Franchising in 2025: which are the best bets?
Well-established business models and numerous success stories have combined to make hospitality and food and beverage highly popular segments for prospective franchisees. However, in a competitive market, brimming with brands, making the right choice is critical. Nagi Morkos, founder and managing partner at Hodema Consulting Services, considers the key trends and new opportunities emerging this year.