The Irish service businesses must take advantages of the opportunities franchise systems offer to build their businesses, said Minister for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs Speaking at the Franchising for the Future seminar, he said the franchise sector in Ireland has become a significant contributor to employment growth in the country. The increasing convergence of European markets will provide potential for Irish companies to adopt franchising as a means of growing their businesses. However, a small Irish company is likely to encounter competition from an American/European franchise setting up in the same town, adding that there are 3,500 franchises in North America alone so no business is free from competition.

The opportunities for Irish entrepreneurs to negotiate pan-European master licences are almost non-existent and exports and employment in the franchise sector must be generated through a proactive development of an indigenous sector capable of exporting tested business concepts to the European sector.