After more than two years of development CII launched its GFA initiative at the International Franchise Association annual meeting in Orlando Fl. During the launch GFA Chairman Mark Grobmyer and Managing Director Joe O’Brien met with Senior Executives of more than 25 franchise companies. These CEOs included Jim Amos of Mail Boxes Etc., Fred DeLuca of Subway, Sidney Feltenstien of Yorkshire Holdings, Joanne Shaw of Coffee Beanery, and Peter Cohen of Sylvan Learning Centers.

GFA develops a “basket” of 20 to 25 diverse franchise concepts. GFA then locates a major, well capitalized, business group in a target country which agrees to create a franchise holding company, “Super Master”, to simultaneously develop the basket of franchises.

Because multiple stores of different concepts are developed at the same time, real estate opportunities are developed for strip shopping centers.

The following are examples of the types of concepts that will be included in the GFA basket:

• Optical Shops
  
• Candy Store
  
• Pharmacy
  
• Fast Food
  
• Childcare Learning
  
• Motel
  
• Dry Cleaners
  
• Copy/Mail Center
  
• Hair Care
  
• Auto Parts/Service
  
• Hobby Franchise
  
• Coffee Shop
  
• Branch Bank
  
• Computer Training
  
• Cinema
  
• Frozen Dessert
  
• Sandwich Shop
  
• Pet Care
  
• Convenience--Store
  
• Photo Studio
  
• Lifestyle Center
  
• Movie Rental
  
• Fitness Center
  
• Sports Equipment
  
• Shoe Repair
  
• Sit-down Family Dining
  

GFA Chairman Mark Grobmyer, IFA President Don Debolt, and Mail Boxes Etc. CEO Jim Amos discuss the Global CEO Roundtable on Franchising.

Because of the GFA alliance with VCC (Vratsinas Construction Company), one of the largest Big Box retail construction and project managers in the USA, it is expected that Big Box retailers will join the franchise companies in utilizing the GFA international expansion model.


Subway founder and CEO Fred DeLuca visits with Mark Grobmyer and Joe O'Brien at the GFA launch at the IFA convention in Orlando.

The unique GFA initiative is enhanced with a new franchise finance program developed by the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation. This program was the result of cooperation between OPIC and a Global Franchise Finance Committee of the International Franchise Association. GFA Managing Director Joe O’Brien and Chairman Mark Grobmyer were active members of this committee.


(From left to right) Managing Director Joe O'Brien and Chairman Mark Grobmyer visit Wal-Mart headquarters in Argentina.

The OPIC and other funding programs GFA has identified, enables GFA Super Master Franchisee holding companies to obtain a significant portion of the financing to acquire and buildout their franchises. This can greatly accelerate the number of franchise units deployed in each country.


Executives of Wal-Mart International Argentina and Holiday Inn discuss the Global Franchise Associates program in Argentina.