Foreign concepts making inroads in France
February 2024
Foreign concepts making inroads in France
As a proven and successful business model, franchising plays an essential role in the economic vitality of France. Creating jobs and added value in its local communities, French franchising tops the European rankings in terms of economic impact, providing 828,178 direct or indirect jobs and generating 76.6 billion euros of turnover.
Here we look at three franchise brands that have set out to conquer the French market.
Swixim International – Leading Swiss and international real estate franchise
Swixim International was founded in Geneva nearly 20 years ago by Thierry Caminati, a property professional with operations through several branches. Today it is the leading Swiss and international real estate franchise with 250 agents proposing their Swiss made services in selling, buying, renting out or managing residential property.
The mission of the Swixim franchising network is to boost the entrepreneurial motivation of their franchisees and their agents, train and coach them to gain confidence, and take the weight off their shoulders so that they can be available to fulfil themselves and succeed in what they love doing: dealing in real estate.
Their openStore® 7/7 by Swixim agents’ concept revolves around a win-win business model between the franchisee and their partner agents, with a straightforward winning equation: More sales, less expenses = shared exceptional profitability.
Established in France with 15 franchised agents, Swixim International plans to develop its nationwide coverage with nearly 150 new locations in the coming years. www.swixim.com
Popeyes – World number 2 in ‘fast chicken’ [PH1]
Popeyes is the world number 2 in fried chicken fast food, with more than 4,100 restaurants in more than 30 countries. The emblematic brand founded in 1972 offers a cuisine drawing inspiration from the flavours of Louisiana, and owes much of its success to its iconic Chicken Sandwich.
The brand opened its first restaurant in Paris on 1 February 2023, and fully intends to shake up the fast food market in France. The brand is planning to open around 20 restaurants by the end of2024 in the main cities in France, and more than 300 restaurants by 2030.
8 restaurants open to date (including 3 in Paris) :
+ Paris (Gare du Nord) – 1 February 2023
+ Brest
+ Paris (République)
+ Lyon
+ Paris (Montmartre)
+ Agen
+ Grenoble
+ Troyes - 13 December 2023
The Ascott Limited – a major player in the hospitality industry
The Ascott Limited, the Singaporean subsidiary hospitality group, has become a major player in the hospitality industry since its first establishment opened in Asia Pacific in 1984. With 14 brands, the Ascott portfolio is made up of serviced residences, hotels and coliving properties.
The Ascott Limited took its first steps in France in 2004 with the acquisition of Citadines, opening its first Citadines franchise in 2019.
Their French portfolio comprises 30 three, four and five star residences where service and quality of hospitality lie at the heart of their approach.
The Ascott Limited is planning to continue its expansion in France through the franchising model via Citadines, together with The Crest Collection and Somerset brands (concepts launched in 2016).
This model plays a central role in their growth strategy, as it enables them to accelerate their growth while benefiting from the local expertise of their franchisees.
These three examples can be discovered along with many other French-established foreign brands exhibiting at Franchise Expo Paris :
• ANYTIME FITNESS – Beauty- / Health / Fitness - USA
• BLACK AND WHITE BURGER – Hotels & restaurants - Belgium
• CAPRICHO DIARO - Hotels & restaurants - Spain
• EXKI - Hotels & restaurants - Belgium
• HAAGEN DAZS – Ice cream - USA
• INXPRESS – B2B services - Hong Kong
• MCDONALD’S FRANCE – Fast food[PH2] - USA
• MAIL BOXES ETC - B2B services – Italy
• SIGNARAMA - B2B services - USA
• SUBWAY - Hotels & restaurants - USA
• TOM & CO – Specialist outlets -Belgium
• TOMA INTERIM - B2C services - Luxembourg
• VENTURE X - B2B services - USA
• ...
The international offering at Franchise Expo Paris is larger than ever, with 90 international concepts looking to develop their network and on the lookout for new partners.
[PH1]j’ai modifié car no2 en restauration rapide tout court ne peut pas être juste.
[PH2]pas compris en quoi McDo est «restauration rapide» mais pas Subway, ni B&W Burger.
About the French Franchising Federation
A major player in the dynamism of the French economy, the French Franchising Federation is the professional federation of franchisors and their franchisees since 1971. It represents the franchising model, a model of entrepreneurship based on the transfer of know-how and the sharing of value. Its role is to promote, defend and perpetuate the franchise model, but also to federate its ecosystem and create the tools and the environment for the development and performance of franchise networks. In 1981, the French Franchise Federation created the Franchise Expo Paris exhibition, which has since become a major annual international franchising event.
In France, franchising accounts for 1,972 networks, 84,497 franchised outlets, for a turnover of more than 76.6 billion euros. The activity generates 828,178 jobs (direct and indirect). In 2009, the FFF created the Acadélmie de la Franchise, the first training organisation for franchising professions, whose services are aimed at future franchisees, but also to future and current franchisors.
Find out more at: www.franchise-fff.com
About Infopro Digital
Infopro Digital is a B2B group specializing in information and technology. Ranked as the 8th largest technology group in France, the group is present in 18 countries and employs nearly 4,000 people. Its innovative solutions are aimed at professional communities in five key economic sectors: Construction & Public Sector, Automotive, Risk & Insurance, Industry, and Retail. Thanks to the group’s sector-specific expertise, Infopro Digital covers all the needs of professionals. Its solutions enable decision-makers to make informed decisions and companies to sustainably develop their business and performance.
Find out more at: www.infopro-digital.com
About Tous entrepreneurs
This media dedicated to entrepreneurship and franchising has been designed to allow entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners to find all the information they need to build and develop their project all year round. They can find testimonials, practical advice, expert opinions and all useful information on business creation.
This media platform, which is affiliated to the Franchise Expo Paris exhibition, also focuses on franchising and its advantages.
Find out more at: www.tousentrepreneurs.com
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