The U.S. Embassy in Egypt hosted a U.S. Franchise Trade Mission in Cairo on May 14-18. The Trade Mission, sponsored by the International Franchise Association, the Franchise Times and the U.S. Commercial Service, also visited Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
The U.S. franchises on the mission – Hertz Equipment Rental, Johnny Rockets, Pollo Tropical, and Wing Zone – held meetings with potential Egyptian franchisees and business partners. The U.S. delegation also attended the opening of the 11th annual Middle East & North African International Franchise Exposition in Cairo, and met with members from the Egyptian Franchise Development Association as well as the Social Development Fund.
The leader of the U.S. delegation, Scott Lehr, Senior Vice President of the International Franchise Association, commented on the Egyptian market: “The participants in the Franchise Trade Mission were impressed with the overall Egyptian market potential for U.S. Brands. Visiting the City Stars Mall and seeing the current level of activities with American franchisors in that mall – and having the opportunity to see the plans for areas like New Cairo and the Cairo Festival City project – bodes well for the future of U.S. brands in Egypt.”
Ann Bacher, Commercial Counselor of the U.S. Embassy commented, “Franchising has increased in Egypt, as well as in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region and U.S. franchisees are estimated to account for almost 45% of the total franchise revenues in Egypt. The total franchise industry employs around 55,000 people in Egypt and generates around LE15 billion ($2.5 billion) annual sales. We look forward to working with the Social Fund for Development and the African Development Bank programs to bring more American franchise concepts to Egypt.”
The U.S. Embassy is committed to strengthening trade with Egypt, and the U.S. Commercial Service, part of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, assists Egyptian companies interested in acquiring U.S. franchises. U.S. franchises can also call on the Commercial Service for guidance on the business environment in Egypt and entering the Egyptian market.
