Thai franchises told to tap into foreign markets
SEVENTEEN Thai franchise enterprises have expanded their operations in a total of 41 countries, with more being promoted to penetrate overseas markets, especially Asean, according to the Business Development Department.
The department’s director-general, Pongpun Gearaviriyapun, said many local franchise businesses had high potential to expand abroad, particularly in Asean under regional integration. Pongpun said the department would proceed with activities to promote local firms in the international arena.
She said 10 franchise firms had been trained and could expand their businesses to Indonesia.
The companies are involved in car care, fashion, security, food and beverage, swimming pool services, and education.
Pongpun said that many Thai firms could become international companies by expanding through the franchise platform, which helped reduce many business risks while local partners helped take care of their businesses in overseas markets. She said that under Asean integration more Thai firms should study businesses opportunities for expanding abroad, as Asean had 500 million people compared to Thailand’s 60 million.
Asean countries had strong economic growth of more than 5 per cent on average, which implied higher purchasing power and brighter business opportunities. To promote more local firms entering the international stage, the department will soon train more businesses to do that – with the target Cambodia.
According to the department, Thailand currently has about 1,555 franchise businesses.
Of these, 83 are in education, 83 operate spa and beauty services, 589 are in retail, 353 are service businesses, and 447 are food and beverages operators.
The 17 that have expanded overseas are Black Canyon, Neo Suki, The Coffee Maker, Mae Sriwan Sukothai Noodle, Choke Dee Dim Sum, EZ’s, Moly Care, Smart Brain, Smart English, Aromavera Spa, Bontras, Greetouch, Spa of Siam, Index Living Mall, Nobody Jean, and Wongpanit.
