International franchising is both an offensive and defensive strategy used by large and small companies alike to diversify into foreign markets while making the firm increasingly less dependent on home country revenues and demand.

More than 400 U.S. franchise companies operate in international markets. International franchising strategies have allowed some of the bigger players in the industry to achieve impressive results and garner more than 80% of profits from international revenues. In the link to the full article below, Kevin B. Murphy, Mr. Franchise, an international franchise expert and San Francisco franchise attorney covers the rise of international franchise efforts as a well-conceived strategy used by major, blue-chip franchise brands.  Also discussed is the case of a small non-blue chip franchise chain that has done very well in just a three-year period of international franchise efforts.