France is the largest market for franchising in Europe in terms of the number of registered franchisors (over 800) and employees (over 400,000) and business is booming. Franchise Development Services is therefore happy to announce that FDS-France is up and ready for business.

FDS-France brings together under one roof experienced management professionals that are dedicated to providing franchise business services to both French and International franchisors and franchisees.

"Franchising is a well-developed and growing market in France and you can make good business here but you have to have the right local partner and local knowledge", says John Worthington, who heads up the team. A chartered accountant from the UK, John has his own strong track record as an entrepreneur and has helped other companies successfully do business in France for over 15 years. The team that John works with includes senior client managers who all have many years of experience in doing business in France and internationally.

Besides client managers, the commercial department, focuses on prospects, identifying potential local and international partners and maintaining databases of business contacts - key resources that FDS-France can now put at the disposal of franchisees and franchisors to make sure their French ambitions become reality. FDS-France services include the following:

• Market research: up-to-date and in-depth understanding of your industry
• Master franchise: search, profiling and award, access to databases
• Franchisee search: search, profiling and award access to databases
• Geographic location: France is geographically the largest European country, seven major conurbations and prosperous regions
• Marketing, public relations and communications: local and international franchise magazines, communications packages and roll-out
• Logistics: distribution networks and hubs. France boasts excellent infrastructure and choices for logistics
• Training: development of French manuals, education and training support
• Design and architecture: French requirements and coherent roll out of design
• Accounting: including start-up costs and subsequent accounting support
• Legal: specialists in franchising for both the franchisor and franchisee
• Deontological: underpinning franchising in France is the French Code of Ethics, the Article l. 330-3 of the Code de Commerce (Loi Doubin) and the EC Exemption Rule of 1999
• Banks: working relations to provide financing for the Master and the Franchisee

France is one of the largest and most developed markets for franchising in Europe. But how can you participate in this growing market? The need for strong local knowledge and experience is obvious: France boasts 835 different franchise networks but only 10 per cent of these are non-French. On the other hand, one third of French franchisors claim at least one franchise outside their domestic market. FDS-France client managers bring the local knowledge, contacts, experience that guarantees success in France.

Our franchise clients bring their unique assets to France, FDS France contribute our professional and experienced team, extensive network of contacts, professional services, programmes and expertise and in-depth knowledge of France, its culture, people and business practices. Contact us today, and see how FDS France can develop your franchise business in France.

For more information about the services available to prospective franchisees and franchisors in the French market, call: John Worthington tel: +33 1 5688 2900