General Business Frameworks in the Americas.

Objective:

To take a look at franchising as a viable strategy for a Mexican business trying to reach another national market in the Americas.

Process:

1. Provide a list of the top 20 companies that pursue franchising as a mode of international expansion.
2. Research about Kidzania's case and take notes.
3. provide a detailed description of their business model, their international expansion strategy, a list of desirable qualifications in potential franchisees, and the institutional support and training programs typically provided by KidZania 
4. Answer the questions.

Results:

A vital element of a successful international market-entry strategy is an appropriate fit of skills and capabilities between business partners, and this is specially true for the franchising system. On this regard, every year Entrepreneur magazine publishes a ranking of the top 200 global franchisers seeking international franchisees.

1. Now, go to their website and find the latest ranking available, and then provide a list of the top 20 companies that pursue franchising as a mode of international expansion. From an international business perspective, what are the most common features shared by these 20 companies?

1. Pinturas Sensacolor
2. Pinturas Britt
3. Ecoled
4. Choice hotels
5. Trip city
6. Alemar
7. Indentratonics
8. FEL Facturar en linea
9. Charge Point
10. La abejita
11. Lavanderias Max
12. Seeptra
13. Oguardy
14. Grupo multivex
15. QPagos
16. Spinbox
17. Nodoprint
18. Gran Cinema
19. Claenwork orange
20. Pixz Imprentas

The contract is the cornerstone of the entire franchise system must be well researched, detailed, clear, accurate and secure compliance, the right to use trademark, on the other hand the strength and solidity of a franchise network is supported in uniform brand image is transmitted to the general public through each and every one of the centers (logos, adaptation and decoration, signs and logos), this brand provides further recognition in front of prospective customers.

Transmission set of knowledge and experiences that constitute the Know-how (Know-how) which are the set of knowledge and methods developed by the franchisor of a practical, non-proprietary systems, and from experience of it in the developing their business concept or formula of success.

Granting territorial exclusivity and duration of the same, the

definition of the economic parameters of access to the franchise network: entry fee, "Royalties" or operating fees and advertising sales, which will be the financial obligations of the franchisee these payments are justified by the right to use the mark, training and assistance received and the benefit from participation in the economies of scale generated by the string itself.

The object of the franchise is a concept of original, reproducible and durable business uniform manner over time.

The complete and comprehensive initial training of the franchisee and his staff, the franchisor will act as a guide and advisor at the beginning of the activity, supporting the franchisees in the selection, adaptation and decoration of the premises, providing communication tools and ultimately solving any problem that arose.

Service and ongoing support to franchisees.

Finally define what constitutes the "package", which is the documentation to be submitted to the franchisee and practical guidance on the daily functioning of the business.

The aforementioned "package" franchise consists of the following elements:

• Franchise Brochure

• Presentation Pack

• Manual Adaptation and decoration Local

• Corporate Identity Manual

• Operating

• Manual Products and Services

• Pre-franchise agreement

• Franchise contract

1. There is a big Mexican company that has been planning to enter the US market for a long time, but hesitated and chose to deploy first a franchising program in other regions of the world. We are talking about KidZania. Have you heard about them? Either way, do some research about Kidzania's case and take notes (you can start with these articles published in The Morning News and in The Financial Times).

What is KidZania?

Is a children's entertainment concept 100% Mexican unique in the world, the first children aged 2 to 16 years based on the oldest game activities: play at being adults.

In 1999 the first KidZania opened center in Santa Fe, then known as City children, and in 2006 the second was opened in Monterrey while the first abroad: in Tokyo, Japan. Thereafter we continued with the opening of two to four per year KidZania centers.

The reason for turning the city of Children in KidZania is due to the practicality and export, "one of the characteristics of a good brand is that you can pronounce in all languages, keep it short and tell you something of the concept your product, "said Espino. So, KidZania is kindergarten, which means child; Zani, which is crazy, cool, and Ania, termination means land ... Then KidZania is a word that defines this nation: "Land of the good children wave".

Currently this company has been operating for 14 years and from 1999 to date received more than 25 million children worldwide den, a figure that increases every day.

But in terms of expansion, it is planned that by 2015 the company reaches the United States and held between 15 and 16 KidZania centers in that country.

Faced with the question of why not participate in the US market from the start rather than venture into Asia, Espino said that one of the great virtues of the president of KidZania is that he always listens, so that on occasion warned that if He came to the United States but not as strong company, the market was going to "eat" and the concept would end. "He looked, made his strong and solid company and exported to the world."

1. Once you are done with your research, please provide a detailed description of their business model, their international expansion strategy, a list of desirable qualifications in potential franchisees, and the institutional support and training programs typically provided by KidZania (the franchiser).

The international business model

KidZania seeks faithfully recreate some of the shops and services most important characteristic of a contemporary city like Mexico.

Part of his international success lies in the fact that its expansion beyond differences cultural origin, as it has positioned itself in very disímilestales countries like Mexico, Portugal, England and UAE. His key is to engage in their industry fictitious cities and society to which they arrive.

The first full year of operations (1999) received an influx of 800,000 visitors; and since then, he has averaged a similar number each year, with lows near 750 000 and maximum of approximately 850 thousand users.

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