Franchisors recognise the rise of the 'international' market as the world is getting smaller and the need for products and services is getting larger. Rod Young assesses the emerging global franchise trends and the significant opportunities they create

More businesses than ever before are embracing franchising. So what exactly has prompted these organisations to deviate from the traditional business development path, and adopt franchising as a growth strategy? Rod Young provides some crucial direction for those considering franchising.

Want to own your own business, but are unsure whether to go out on your own or buy into a franchise? Kristy Sheppard weighs up the options.

Buying into a franchise can be a rewarding business decision - but with so many franchise systems out there, how do you go about choosing the best one for you, and then funding it? Rebecca Spicer investigates

In the coming months, we will take a comprehensive look at franchising. To guide businesses through the process, we talk to experts in the franchising industry - Here, in the first of our special features, we look at how to determine the right time to franchise your business.

As a way of developing your business, franchising has a lot to offer - but, Cameron Bayley finds there’s a lot involved before and after you hand over your processes to a franchisee.

Franchising is a popular choice with Australians wanting to buy into a business that has structure and a proven track-record. But is this the right choice for you? Domini Stuart considers the risks, benefits and grey areas of franchising.

Don’t expect customers to connect the dots in a vague and miserly branding and marketing campaign - To make a franchise work, you need to understand its point of difference and then you need to flaunt it.

Retail has dominated the franchise industry in recent years, but Rebecca Spicer finds service industries are getting in on the action as the franchise sector becomes increasingly more diversified.

The entrepreneurial spirit of a small business owner can sometimes be at odds with rigorous business systems - Domini Stuart looks at various models to find out how business systems can enhance operations but still allow the business to change and evolve.