ABF Franchising Expo 2024, one of the largest and most anticipated franchise events in the world, held between the 26th and 29th of June, in São Paulo, was the stage for a series of negotiations and meetings aimed at strengthening the presence of Brazilian brands in the international market. The event was attended by businesspeople, investors and consultants from different countries, consolidating itself as a hub of opportunities and networking in the franchising sector.
In this edition, the Buyer Project, an initiative of Franchising Brasil — a sector internationalization program carried out through a partnership between the Brazilian Franchising Association (ABF) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) — played a key role. The project brought to Brazil a select group of international investors, who participated in business rounds with Brazilian franchises, promoting the exchange of experiences and the search for strategic partnerships.
Among the international guests were Sebastian Sanint, a renowned Colombian businessman in the retail and food sector; Paulina Alvarez, a prominent Chilean businesswoman in the franchise sector; Jorge Wong, owner of the Peruvian brand Embarcadero 41; and Victor Daccaret Riadi, executive director of Franquicias Chile, a consultancy specialized in facilitating the entry of foreign companies into the Chilean market.
On June 27th and 28th, these investors participated in a series of meetings with representatives of several Brazilian franchises, such as Bibi, Buddha Spa, Orthopride, Unhas Cariocas, Limpeza com Zelo, Dank Idiomas, among others. The conversations were intense and productive, generating business expectations totaling approximately USD 3,655,000.00 for Brazilian brands.
In addition to the business rounds, the investors’ agenda included a special cocktail on the 28th, in celebration of the bicentenary of diplomatic relations between Brazil and the United States. The social event provided a relaxed environment for businesspeople and investors to strengthen their ties and discuss future collaborations.
Bruno Amado, executive manager of Franchising Brasil, expressed his satisfaction with the results obtained: “We are very happy with the success of the meetings and the business prospects generated. This is an important step towards the internationalization of Brazilian franchises and demonstrates the strength and potential of our market. The presence of such important investors at ABF Expo 2024 reinforces international confidence in our brands and paves the way for new opportunities for global expansion.”
About Franchising Brasil
Franchising Brasil is a project that aims to support the internationalization strategy of Brazilian franchise networks and their commercial promotion in the main international markets. The initiative is a partnership between ABF and ApexBrasil, which works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy through trade promotion actions. To participate, simply download and fill out the membership form available on the website and send it to [email protected].
About ABF
Founded in 1987, the Brazilian Franchising Association (ABF) is a non-profit entity that officially represents the Brazilian franchise system. Its mission is to defend, promote and foster the sector, nationally and internationally, so that it remains prosperous, sustainable, innovative, inclusive and ethical. With more than 35 years of history, ABF enjoys great prestige and a consolidated image in the market, being also the headquarters of the Ibero-American Franchise Federation (FIAF), leader of the World Franchise Council (WFC) Task Force, member of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and responsible for the largest franchise fair in the world, the ABF Franchising Expo.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve its objectives, ApexBrasil carries out diversified trade promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and valuing Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and commercial missions, business rounds, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, visits of foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian production structure among other business platforms that also aim to strengthen the Brazil brand. The Agency also works in a coordinated manner with public and private actors to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on strategic sectors for developing the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country.