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The booming retail and service industry is putting up the country’s biggest international franchise expo dubbed “Franchise 2007” at the World Trade Center Manila on July 6-8.

The expo, being organized by the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), is designed to generate more business opportunities for new entrepreneurs and expanding enterprises and companies, including the growing number of returning overseas Filipinos and foreigners who are retiring in the Philippines.

“These people are bringing in dollars and buying residential units in masterplanned commercial areas where they can possibly start their own businesses or expand whatever enterprise they may have abroad,” said PFA chairman Bing S. Limjoco.

“And they know that the best and sure-fire way to get into business and succeed, especially in their golden years, is through franchising, where business concepts are backed by proven track record of profitability and stability,” Limjoco explained.

She said Franchise 2007 would also help prospective local industry players to find their way into expanding overseas.

With hundreds of exhibitors of highly reputable names and innovative business concepts, Franchise Expo 2007 will provide participants with international and local networking, onsite marketing and sales, extensive promotions, and thousands of prospective clients who have decided to invest in a franchised business.

This 15th Franchise Expo is co-presented by PLDT Business Solutions, Seaoil, and Coca-Cola, and supported by the Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation, the World Franchise Council, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Philippine Retailers Association.

Last year, the Franchise Expo generated more than P200 million worth of businesses and almost 25,000 visitors, mostly from top and middle management.

This year’s expo is expected to post a new record in visitor attendance based on the current local and global economic developments.

Describing franchising as a global economic catalyst and, at the same time, one of the most successful outcomes of a globalizing world economy, Limjoco said, “Through franchising, the world economy is, not only globalizing, but also universalizing since a franchised business carries with it a tinge of culture from its country of origin and introduces that uniqueness to the rest of the world, thus contributing substantially to a universalizing local marketplace that we can see today in many consumption centers in Manila and other megacities abroad. The rise of this multi-faceted but universalizing culture is driven by the strength of sound business practices and social acceptance of both the diversity of human cultures and the universality of human needs.

“As such, the universal applicability of franchising promotes, not only multinational and multicultural understanding, but also global economic innovativeness, productivity and harmony.”

Limjoco cited as example the expansion of foreign franchises to the Philippines and the equally successful expansion of homegrown franchises to foreign markets, many of which occurred through the Franchise Expo and the help of the PFA and its business development arm, Francorp.

Franchise 2007 is also sponsored by Max’s Restaurant, 7-Eleven, Goldilocks, Francorp., Quali Plus, Julie’s Bakeshop, Red Ribbon, Greenwich, Chowking, GoodAh!, Felisa Spa, and Crystal Clear, and supported by Ayala Center, Robinson’s Malls and Shangri-La Plaza as mall partners, and by The Philippine Star, Entrepreneur, RJ 100, Wave 89.1, and Heart 103.5 as media partners.