Kyrgyz companies were told how to scale up through franchising

Franchising enables Kyrgyz entrepreneurs to expand their businesses through partners’ investments and enter new markets without having to finance the opening of each branch themselves. This was stated on 13 November by Saikal Asylbekova, Chair of the Board of the Kyrgyz Franchising Association, at the ‘Franchise 2026’ forum in Bishkek.

According to her, the franchising model enables business founders to provide partners with a ready-made operational system, technology and the right to use the brand. At the same time, new outlets are opened using capital provided by franchisees.

As an example, Asylbekova cited the international McDonald’s chain, which, she said, opens around six new restaurants every day across the world. Another example is Yum! Brands, which owns the KFC and Pizza Hut chains. The company opens up to 12 restaurants a day.

Asylbekova believes that this approach could help Kyrgyz brands accelerate their growth. To achieve this, it is important for entrepreneurs to prepare a financial model, legal documents and a supply chain, and to refine their business processes.

“To start with, we recommend scaling up a franchise within the country – even within a single city – then across the country, and only then entering the international market,” she noted.

According to Asylbekova, more than 60 Kyrgyz brands are currently developing franchise models. Their presence already extends to Kazakhstan, Russia, Georgia, the USA, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

The Kyrgyz Franchise Association helps entrepreneurs to develop franchise packages and prepare companies for scaling up. The ‘Franchise 2026’ forum has become the fourth platform where business representatives discuss the sector’s development and opportunities for domestic brands to enter foreign markets.