Powerhouse Consulting Firms Create Strategic Alliance for International Franchising

HOMEWOOD, Ill., Feb. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The iFranchise Group (www.ifranchisegroup.com), a leading franchise consulting firm based near Chicago, announced that it recently formed a strategic alliance with EGS (www.edwardsglobal.com), the largest single exporter of U.S. franchises in the world. The mutual goal of the firms is to help assess the readiness of non-U.S. companies seeking U.S. market entry, to assist U.S. franchisors in their expansion efforts abroad, and to consult with firms outside the U.S. with their franchising needs in a wide range of foreign markets.

"Franchisors of all sizes have great economic potential through international franchising, in a variety of emerging and other global markets," says William Edwards, President of EGS. "It's not surprising when countries all over the word -- like China, India, and the United Arab Emirates and others -- are growing their franchising bases, with some countries even easing earlier legal restrictions in order to actively promote franchise growth."

With combined experience and clients in over 60 countries, iFranchise Group and its strategic alliance partner, EGS, represent the most experienced team in global franchise consulting.

EGS has historically taken brands worldwide from their home countries, focusing expansion in markets which have the highest ROI potential. EGS assesses internal and external needs, analyzes market potential and market priorities, and then plans and implements international development projects for their clients.

The iFranchise Group provides both start-up and well-established franchise companies with the tools and strategies needed for franchise growth, both in the United States and abroad.

Together, the franchise consultant firms expect to be able to provide professional guidance, documentation, and implementation assistance to companies for all their global franchise needs, whether they are:

• Companies who want to franchise in any country around the world.  
• North American franchisors who want to expand abroad.  
• Non-U.S. companies who want to enter the U.S. market via franchising, dealerships, or licensing arrangements.    

"We are proud to have recently joined forces with a firm of the caliber of EGS," states iFranchise Group CEO, Mark Siebert. "We have already worked with hundreds of start-up and existing franchise organizations, across a broad range of industries, in various regions all over the world. By being able to leverage the depth of experience of the EGS team, we hope to continue to develop relationships with multi-national companies going forward, as they expand across their home country borders."

Edwards of EGS adds: "Working with the iFranchise Group is a capstone to our work in global franchising. The combined strength of our team of internationally-experienced consultants is truly unmatched. Again, there is so much potential in the world markets today, which we analyze on a continual basis. We want to help more and more companies reach their international growth goals, and I am confident that we have the people and the skills that companies of all sizes and from all regions of the globe can really benefit from."

Companies interested in international franchising are invited to contact the firms to learn more about their options, market potential, and what services are available to them as they plan for global expansion. More information can also be obtained at www.ifranchise.net/egs/.

About iFranchise Group:  iFranchise Group (www.ifranchisegroup.com), is a leading franchise consulting firm that offers the skills of the nation's top professionals in franchise strategic planning, operations training and documentation, franchise marketing and sales, advertising fund management, franchise recruitment, and development of Internet-based applications for emerging and established franchise companies worldwide. Since its inception in 1998, iFranchise Group has dedicated its efforts to establishing long-term, strategic relationships with franchisors, both new and established, and other companies seeking consultative guidance with business expansion strategies. With a staff of franchise consultants with a combined 450+ years of experience in franchise development and implementation, iFranchise Group has worked with over 30 Fortune 2000 companies and with 98 of the world's top 200 franchisors as rated by Franchise Times magazine. Clients include companies from the United States, Canada, as well as dozens of countries in Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

About EGS:  EGS (www.edwardsglobal.com), helps companies take their businesses international, through franchising as well as acquisitions, licensing, joint ventures, partnerships and distributorships. The firm specializes in helping both publicly traded and private companies find suitable and profitable international markets to thrive in. EGS provides both young growing companies and mature billion dollar companies with the tools to help them grow their businesses around the world.  The firm's experienced team of principals has over 100 years of combined experience in identifying and implementing international business development projects. With 35 global associates located in 30 countries, EGS can help companies find the most cost effective and efficient resources in each country, making international transition smooth and profitable.

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Mark Siebert

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SOURCE iFranchise Group