Global Warming Franchising heats up around the world.

For franchisors, the promised land is one that is ripe withuntouched territories and teeming with inhabitants eager for ataste of franchising's fruits, a place where ugly words like"encroachment" and "saturation" have not yetbeen uttered. Imagine, then, the excitement--nay, theelation--ringing through franchise systems across the United Statesas the world opens its arms to embrace the joy franchisingoffers.

Like explorers of old, American franchisors are striking out ina race to claim these lands for their own. "If you had to pickone trend in terms of where franchising is going in the next 10years, the real growth is going to be in markets outside the UnitedStates," says Mark Siebert, president of Francorp Inc., anOlympia Fields, Illinois-based international management consultingfirm specializing in franchising.

According to a recent survey of 40 countries by accounting andresearch firm Arthur Anderson, 56 percent have fewer than 200franchisors. Countries outside the United States boast an averageof 252 franchisors and only 12,253 franchisees. "Some of theseinternational markets [are seeing franchise] growth of 40 percent ayear," says Siebert. "There's never been a greateropportunity for franchisors to go abroad."