FRANCHISORS have an interesting decision to take when they consider their entry into the International Franchise market. Do they choose to build their own franchise marketing programme, trialling various publications, websites, exhibitions, agents, etc. as they seek to locate suitable Master Franchisee candidates? Or do they engage the services of an organisation established across Europe and the Middle East with 25 years' experience of assisting franchisors to go international?

European Franchising publisher Franchise Development Services (FDS) provides a portfolio of services designed to achieve the goal of selling Master Franchise Rights to highly qualified and serious investors who understand the responsibilities of owning a franchise and developing the brand to its full potential. Its 12-month global 'Passports to Performance' Programmes incorporate 10 sales, marketing & prospect management activities, all backed up by four unprecedented success guarantees.

The guarantees depend upon the investment made by the franchisor, which can enter the programme either at 'Passport', 'Visa', 'Diplomat' or 'Ambassador' level. Passport status franchisors are guaranteed the sale of one Master Franchise licence, Visa franchisors will achieve two Master Franchise licences in the life of the campaign, the Diplomat package underwrites the recruitment of three Master Franchisees and Ambassadorial franchisors are guaranteed four Master Franchise licence sales.

As the publisher of a portfolio of franchise titles, FDS is in a unique position to incorporate targeted promotional features and advertising into its campaigns. Passport, Visa, Diplomat and Ambassador clients will see their opportunities regularly promoted in European Franchising and Franchise International, plus targeted campaigns in national titles, including The Franchise Magazine (UK) and Franquicias y Negocios (Spain).

Clients will also benefit from the latest e-marketing with the development of both its websites and e-zine, allowing FDS to provide campaign franchisors with targeted online presence. Visitors are initially attracted to FDS's powerful array of high traffic websites including www.franchise-international.net; UK.BetheBoss.com and its Spanish-language site www.infofranquicias.com, as well as many national FDS websites and links. FDS has also been circulating its Franchise International e-zine with the world's investors for over two years, and monthly mailings go to over 12,000 registered investors looking for opportunities in specific sectors.

The FDS global team has assisted more than 500 franchisors with their national and international franchise development, including Alphagraphics, BMS Technologies, Domino's Pizza, Dr Vinyl, Mrs Fields, Quiznos, Rainbow International, ServiceMaster, Stained Glass Overlay and Swisher. This team represents the most valuable resource available in franchising worldwide. Entering new international markets always calls for local knowledge and their experience, understanding and reputation helps to ensure that both the franchisor and the new Master Franchisee have every possibility of succeeding.

FDS has both the knowledge and expertise to provide the solutions and strategies to fit franchisors' needs, and one of the offices' most successful ways of promoting and shortlisting serious candidates are Investor Forums. These events are built around exhibitions, conferences and symposiums that take place around the world and franchisors are invited to participate whenever they are able to attend.

Additionally, FDS Franchise Consultants attend every significant franchise event around the world. Already this year FDS has exhibited at nine national and international expos, including events in Manchester, Barcelona, Athens, Dubai, Miami, Brussels, Paris, London and Washington DC. During the remainder of the year FDS will take stands at expos in Madrid, Beijing, Portugal, Cairo, Glasgow, Moscow, Singapore, Birmingham, Los Angeles and Dublin.

Franchise Associations around the world play an important part in marketing to established franchisor members that are seeking new in-bound opportunities and FDS ensures that all franchise trade associations worldwide receive both printed copies of its publications as well as regular press releases.

Finally, the 'jewel' asset of FDS is its Investor Database. Built over 25 years this database is made up of organisations that have already acquired one or more Master Franchise licences as well as individuals or other organisations that are now seeking to invest in franchising. Only those that meet the criteria of being a serious candidate are entered, and as a result of FDS's extensive international activities this database is added to each and every day - including the substantial number of FDS stand visitors following each international franchise exhibition. For example, FDS added 200 new investors registering their interest in acquiring a Master Franchise as a result of its involvement at the International Franchise Exhibition 2005 in Washington DC.

The Passport, Visa, Diplomat and Ambassador programmes require an initial investment to fund the marketing, FDS then earns a commission on success.