Mission Statement

TASBI Franchising Matchmaker Trade Delegation

Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece

June 15-26, 1998

Mission Description:

Export Promotion Services Matchmaker Program, in cooperation with the International Franchising Association, will lead a Franchising Matchmaker Trade Delegation to Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece, June 15-26, 1998. This event will be promoted to the U.S. franchising industry and will focus on finding master franchisees and area developers in these markets. The mission will also emphasize the Trans Atlantic Business Dialog (TABD). TABD represents a joint effort between American and European governments and businesses to facilitate communication and commerce between Europe and the United States. The key component of the program is to promote commerce between the U.S. and E.U. by bringing together U.S. and E.U. small and medium sized businesses and providing a forum for discussing markets and making business contacts. The delegation will be led by Sam Dhir, Project Officer, Matchmaker Program.

Commercial Setting:

Southern Europe is one of the world's fastest growing areas for franchising. The countries of Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece offer prospective franchisors tremendous opportunities. In Spain, the total number of franchises grew from 250 in 1993 to over 400 in 1995. U.S. franchisors in Spain experienced a 70 percent increase between 1994 and 1995. In Italy, Portugal and Greece, all areas of franchising are expected to grow at an annual rate of 12 percent over the next few years. American products and services as well as concepts and ideas are well received in these European markets.

Changing lifestyles in these markets has lead to an increased demand for the opportunities afforded by franchising. The shift from manufacturing to service-oriented economies, the down sizing of many companies, the growth in self-employment, the change from traditional neighborhood stores to large commercial centers, and the increase in disposable income, all promote the growth of franchising. The United States is considered a leader in franchising and with the rising popularity of franchises, many people who are new to the franchise business look to the U.S. experience as a source of reliability.

Mission Goals:

The mission goal is to help the new-to-market U.S. franchisors explore the potential for franchising in these countries and meet with qualified investors/entrepreneurs interested in entering into a master franchise or area developer agreement for a particular country.

Mission Scenario:

Members of the franchising delegation will spend two days in each country. The Commercial Service in each country will provide an extensive market briefing, which will include a TASBI component, and arrange one-on-one appointments with prescreened investors/entrepreneurs interested in franchising. A reception will be held at each stop so that members of the delegation can meet with the key officials of the host government/ industry in an informal setting.

Timetable:

The Matchmaker will follow the following itinerary:

June 15-16, 1998 Milan, Italy

June 18-19, 1998 Madrid, Spain

June 22-23, 1998 Lisbon, Portugal

June 25-26, 1998 Athens, Greece

Matchmaker promotion will include but not be limited to the following venues: the District Office and Teams; Business America Magazine; relevant trade publications; the International Franchise Association and relevant trade associations; past Matchmaker and Commerce trade mission participants; various in-house and purchased industry lists. The Matchmaker will also be listed on ITA's Internet home page and in the Federal Register.

Recruitment will begin November 2 and will close April 30, 1998, six weeks prior to the start of the mission.

Criteria for Participation:

Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contribution, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process.

Contact Information: