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Franchising in Asia: Hong Kong's Leading Role
03 December 2014
Most Asian countries have only begun to enthusiastically embrace franchising in recent years, as their rising middle-income class becomes more affluent and gravitates towards international brands. International franchising, however, is a complex affair. Industry practitioners are positive about Hong Kong serving as a two-way springboard for Western franchisors to gain access to the Asian markets, and for Asian brands to venture into the global marketplace.
Asia to take off
According to Actrium Solutions, the global market value of franchising was estimated at US$3.79 trillion in 2014. Currently, the global franchising market is dominated by the US, which accounts for 63% of the total, while Asia as a whole represents only 16% of the global market value.
In the US, and to a lesser extent, parts of Western Europe, retail franchising has reached domestic market saturation. Most Asian countries, however, only began to enthusiastically embrace franchising in recent years. International franchising, facilitated by the increasing ease of global communications and technological development, is expected to become a key trend in Asia, as its rising middle-income class becomes more affluent while gravitating towards international brands. Indeed, having realised the benefits to economic growth and employment, many governments in Asia have stepped up efforts to encourage franchising. On the other hand, Asian companies are increasingly appreciating the beauty of the franchising model, which combines the management and brand strengths of an established corporate entity with the vigour and dedication of entrepreneurs, as a viable vehicle to expand their business.
All eyes on China
According to an HKTDC survey of 70 international franchisors and 80 Hong Kong and mainland franchisees, 87% of the international franchisors questioned have their eyes on the vast China market. With a population approaching 1.4 billion and government endeavours to boost domestic consumption to sustain its expansion and rebalance its growth model, China’s potential as a franchise market is hard to ignore.
Challenges of franchising in Asia
Though most major countries in Asia have made significant progress in welcoming foreign companies, expansion into Asia does not come without its challenges. International franchisors that want a piece of Asia’s potentially multi-billion-dollar franchising market have a laundry list of concerns. According to the survey, the top challenges encountered by international franchisors in Asia are, in descending order, “hard to find qualified franchisees” (74%); franchisee management (72%); licence application procedure (54%); foreign exchange control (46%); localisation of brand and products (43%) and IP/patent registration and protection (43%).
Hong Kong as a franchising hub
The survey found that industry practitioners are positive about Hong Kong serving as a two-way springboard for Western franchisors to gain access to the Asian markets, and for Asian brands to venture into the global marketplace. Respondents are of the views that Hong Kong can be a springboard for, in descending order, China, Taiwan, North America, Europe and ASEAN.
- Licensing
- Hong Kong
- Southeast Asia
