The food sector was the one that presented the greatest growth in 2009, with 33% more franchises than in 2008. In the second place came the garment sector, with growth of 18.4%. Then came the sectors of personal accessories, with 11.4%, and services, with 9.4% growth. This year, 39 new franchises are being inaugurated each day.
According to research “Franchises in the Brazilian Economy 2010”, the country has 149,000 franchise units, which together had revenues of US$ 128 billion last year.
These revenues represented 8.3% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The market was among the main job generators in 2009. The number of people employed totaled 1.5 million and another two million indirect jobs were generated, growth of 9.71% over 2008.
The research mentions some examples of franchises sold last year and scheduled for inauguration in the first half. Oficina Brasil chain, of car repairs, for example, sold 30 new franchises in 2009 and all should be inaugurated up to June.
Costume jewelry and accessory brands Morana and Baloné considered 2009 a great highlight, in which they reached the whole of Brazil and inaugurated 20 new Baloné shops.
Apart from national expansion, the Brazilian sector, through the Brazilian Franchising Association (ABF), in partnership with the Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), has been developing work to take franchises abroad. According to ABF figures, there are around 65 Brazilian brands in 49 countries.