Franchise Flashpoint - January 2026
Franchise Flashpoint is our candid look at what’s broken, changing, or misunderstood in franchising today, drawn from our monthly insider newsletter, Franchise Unfiltered.
Each issue breaks down the trends, deals, technologies, and tactics shaping franchise growth right now - without the hype or outdated talking points.
Today’s Flashpoint explores one of the most debated questions in franchising: When is the right time to take a franchise brand global?
Across franchising, there’s no shortage of ambition to expand internationally, but there’s often disagreement on when that ambition should turn into action. For some brands, global interest feels like validation. For others, it looks like a lifeline when domestic growth slows.
So where’s the real inflection point?
We asked our team to weigh in on when international expansion actually makes sense, and what franchisors tend to get wrong along the way.
Ryan’s POV
The right time for international expansion isn’t when interest pops up or when U.S. growth starts to feel harder. It’s when your domestic system is so solid it can handle distraction without slipping.
That means:
Proven unit economics across markets
Real leadership depth
A well-oiled support organization that runs on systems and not heroics
Supply chain dynamics ready for international complexity
Expanding internationally too early doesn’t fix problems. It exports them.
The brands that win globally treat international growth as a byproduct of domestic excellence and institutional readiness, not as a shortcut to momentum, capital, or relevance.
Zack’s POV
While this answer may seem simple, many franchisors over the course of our industry’s history have proven that the answer is anything but. Countless franchisors, despite the warning signs, expand internationally without a solid foundation in the U.S.
Some trick themselves into thinking that expanding to English-speaking countries quickly will be easier; many can tell you how wrong that is. Others will simply follow the money when the “going gets tough,” normally to the “Gulf States,” almost looking at it like a capital infusion that allows them to do other things in their business. That rarely works out either.
Showing patience when growing internationally—which could mean waiting until you’re sold out in the U.S. (depending on your model) or until an institutional capital infusion—is typically the right time in my book. Growing internationally into markets where the customs and laws differ massively requires infrastructure. Whether it’s through first-hand experience or the experiences of an ownership group, the right time to go global is when those major events occur.
Jake’s POV
There are many variables brands must consider when evaluating international expansion, but I believe the first question should be simple:
Will this threaten the health of our domestic system?
Before going global, brands need to prove repeatability, establish governance, and invest in infrastructure to ensure domestic performance doesn’t suffer. International expansion should enhance a strong system, not distract from it.
That’s why I believe the most reliable path to successful international rollout is partnering with private equity or a strategic platform.
Look at brands like Jersey Mike’s and Freddy’s. Both focused on winning the U.S. market first, building highly recognizable brands with minimal international presence. Once the right capital, support, and systems were in place, global expansion became a natural next step, not a risky leap.
Final Takeaway
International expansion isn’t a growth hack, it’s a stress test.
For franchisors considering going global, the real question isn’t “Can we?” but “Are we ready to do this without weakening what already works?” The brands that succeed internationally are the ones that earn the right to expand by mastering their domestic foundation first.
Want More Industry Insights?
This conversation is just one example of what we share in Franchise Unfiltered, our monthly newsletter for franchisors who want real perspective on what’s changing, what’s working, and what actually matters in franchising right now, including:
Unfiltered perspectives from certified franchise experts embedded in franchise systems every day
Sharp insights and fresh perspective you won’t find anywhere else
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