Franchise Explosion A report from franchising's front lines

Since franchising began taking off in the mid-1950s, therehasn't been a dull moment in the industry. Although franchisinghasn't been without its share of ups and downs, most analystsagree the industry is blooming-and is headed for even greenerpastures.

That's due, in part, to years like the past one, when therewas so much growth and innovation in franchising that the worldcouldn't afford to take its eyes off the industry for a minute.Combination franchises. International expansion. Large,well-established companies jumping on the franchise bandwagon. Youname it-last year franchising had it.

And did you expect anything less from an industry whose 540,000franchises ring up sales of $758 billion annually? Franchising ismost certainly a force to be reckoned with.