Global Gobbling Restaurant franchises from all around the world could soon be just around the block from you.

Imagine sinking your teeth into a juicy hamburger topped withcrispy bacon and ripe pineapple slices. Wiping a glob of dressingfrom your lip, you eye dessert: peach mango pie.

The provider of these tropical treats, Philippines-basedfranchise Jollibee, has already opened five stores in California.Although Jollibee isn't franchising at the moment, itspopularity has attracted interest from several investment firms.Will ethnic foods offered by non-U.S.-based companies like Jollibeebecome the next big franchise trend? Ron Paul, president ofChicago-based research and consulting firm Technomic Inc., cautionspotential franchisees not to get caught up in all the buzz."The same rules you would tell anybody about a franchise applyhere," Paul says. "If you're the first to trysomething in a new market, it's always risky. The fact thatit's proven somewhere else doesn't prove it works [in theUnited States]."

While it's true nothing is a sure thing (you shouldinvestigate any new franchise before buying), we've spottedsome unique restaurants that have earned followings in othercountries and demonstrate true crossover potential. One centrallink between these concepts: they hit a nostalgic chord withdifferent cultures in the United States. For example, Marcel R.Portmann, International Franchise Association (IFA) vice presidentof emerging markets and global development, points out, "Witha lot of Hispanics [living] in states such as Florida, Texas andCalifornia, we're starting to see Latin American concepts setup shop and cater to the Hispanic population."