GLOBAL SCALE

Why private equity should bet on international franchising

Written by WILLIAM EDWARDS

Private equity( PE) has become one of the strongest growth engines in franchising. Over the past two decades, investors have helped modernize operations, drive scale, and professionalize management across dozens of leading brands. Yet one area often doesn’ t receive the attention it deserves: international expansion.

The common narrative is that franchisors should focus on the U. S. first. After all, international markets can seem slower, riskier, and harder to manage. But that thinking misses the bigger picture. In my five decades working in global business development, including helping more than 40 franchise brands expand into 35 countries across 12 business sectors, I’ ve seen how international growth transforms not only brands, but their long-term enterprise value.

I speak to this from both sides of the table because I’ ve been a master franchisee in five countries and the senior vice president of international operations for a U. S. franchisor. For more than two decades as CEO of Edwards Global Services, I’ ve guided brands across borders. What I’ ve learned is simple: When done right, global expansion is one of the most powerful and undervalued tools for building lasting franchisor value.

68 | Franchise Update | Issue 4, 2025