From March 4 to 6, the WorldFood Connect platform hosted Franchise Week, where industry experts shared insights on food retail and HoReCa franchises, how to select and package a franchise, and how to use franchising as a gateway for export.
 

A Deep Dive into the Franchising Market

Franchise Week was held online and was organized by RBC Franchises and the WorldFood Connect platform—a professional community for food industry specialists. Across three days, participants attended webinars focusing on food retail and HoReCa franchises. Experts shared key market statistics to help attendees navigate the franchising landscape and select reliable franchises. The discussions also covered the unique aspects of food retail franchising, legal considerations, and strategies for scaling businesses abroad.
 

Key Speakers at Franchise Week

The event featured insights from leading industry professionals, including:

• Anna Afanasyeva – Editor-in-Chief of RBC Franchises
   
• Miroslav Zudin – Founder and CEO of Pelbi Group LLC, owner of SunBowl franchise, and restaurant development expert
   
• Alexander Melnikov – Owner of Melnikov Group Holding, One Price retail franchise, Board Member of the Russian Franchising Association (RAF), and President of the Central Franchising Association
   
• Yuri Mikhailichenko – Executive Director of the Russian Franchising Association
   
• Artem Garden – Partner at legal group "Sovet"
   
• Vasil Gazizulin – Founder and Director of TopFranchise.com
   
• Marina Protasova – Head of Export through Franchising, TopFranchise.com
   
• Yulia Romanchenko – Head of International Department, TopFranchise.com
   

Numbers and Market Trends

During the webinar "Successful Franchise Cases in HoReCa and Retail", experts discussed the rapid growth of Russia’s franchising industry. According to Anna Afanasyeva, there are currently nearly 4,000 franchises in the market, and the industry has tripled in size over the last decade.
 

"Compared to countries like the U.S., Brazil, or South Korea, where franchising contributes 4% to GDP, Russia's contribution is only 1.5%. However, the state is recognizing the potential of franchising and is introducing support measures for entrepreneurs," Afanasyeva noted.
 

Market transformations indicate a shift in investment patterns. Entrepreneurs now favor franchises requiring investments of 10 million rubles or more, viewing them as long-term ventures rather than quick-start businesses.
 

Miroslav Zudin shared best practices for selecting a franchise:

• Clearly define your budget before investing.
   
• Stick to industries where you have expertise.
   
• Research the franchisor's personal brand and the level of support they provide.
   

Franchising in Grocery Retail

The second day of Franchise Week featured the "Franchising in Food Retail" webinar, focusing on franchise promotion strategies, investment attraction, and legal nuances. Yuri Mikhailichenko highlighted that the Russian franchising market has grown tenfold since 2010, with expectations to reach 200,000 franchises by 2030.
 

"Franchising is an excellent tool for expansion and investment. Small regional producers struggle to compete with large federal chains, so launching branded stores via franchising is a smart alternative," Mikhailichenko explained.
 

Experts also noted that legislation is evolving to support franchisees, ensuring greater regulatory control over pricing, product exclusivity, and contract terms.

Exporting Through Franchising

The final webinar, "Export Through Franchising: Entering New Markets", examined how franchising can serve as an efficient expansion tool. Vasil Gazizulin emphasized that franchising provides businesses with local partners who can manage certification, marketing, and distribution, thus reducing costs and accelerating market entry.
 

According to Marina Protasova, franchising reduces operational costs while increasing profit potential. Before expanding internationally, businesses should conduct thorough market research, analyze local franchise offerings, and prepare a strong financial model.
 

Photo: RBC Franchises
Webinar "Export through franchising: entering new markets"

Government Support and Growth Opportunities

The Russian government has introduced subsidies for businesses exporting goods through franchising, previously covering 100% of costs and now co-financing expenses. The Russian Export Center (REC) provides consultations on logistics, marketing, and regulatory compliance to help brands expand abroad.
 

"Finding the right international partner is key," noted Marina Protasova. "The REC has agreements with contractors in various countries to facilitate franchise expansion and sales."
 

Franchising: A Sustainable Growth Strategy

Experts agree that franchising offers a stable, low-risk business model for entrepreneurs looking to expand in food retail and HoReCa. The market is evolving, and with the right strategy, Russian brands can leverage franchising for both domestic and international growth.