International restaurant chains are increasingly turning to franchise agreements and strategic partnerships to expand their geographical presence, enter new consumer markets and strengthen their competitive positions. Companies are adopting partnership-driven expansion models to establish new locations while benefiting from local market expertise and more flexible investment structures.
Recent developments involving Subway, Jollibee, Wendy’s and Chipotle highlight different approaches to international growth. While some companies are signing large-scale franchise development agreements, others are entering new markets through joint ventures with established regional operators.
The strategy reflects a broader shift in how restaurant businesses approach geographical expansion. Instead of relying exclusively on company-owned outlets, brands are increasingly working with local partners to establish operations, improve market access and build long-term customer relationships.
Subway Targets 10,000 Restaurants Across EMEA by 2031
Subway announced plans on November 3, 2026, to double its restaurant presence across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), targeting 10,000 locations by 2031.
The expansion strategy builds on new and existing franchise partnerships, supported by efforts to improve restaurant operations and customer experiences.
One of the company's significant developments involves an expanded agreement with British supermarket group ASDA. The partnership is expected to bring up to 70 additional Subway restaurants to ASDA locations over the next four years. ASDA already operates more than 120 Subway restaurants.
Subway also reported signing six new master franchise agreements across 14 countries in the EMEA region during the previous 18 months.
Another major development involves franchise partner Emerging Bites, which has plans to establish 300 restaurants across Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic over the next decade.
Alongside physical expansion, Subway reported that digital sales increased by more than 20% year to date, while average restaurant unit volumes reached record levels.
The company is also introducing its Blueprint restaurant concept, which will become the standard for new locations and restaurant remodels across EMEA from January 2027.
These initiatives indicate that Subway's growth strategy extends beyond increasing its restaurant count to improving franchisee economics and strengthening its digital ordering capabilities.
Chipotle Enters the Asian Market Through South Korea
Chipotle Mexican Grill has taken an important step in its international expansion strategy by opening its first Asian restaurant in Seoul, South Korea, on September 2, 2026.
The company entered the market through a joint venture with South Korean operator Sangmidang Holdings. The partnership combines Chipotle's restaurant operating standards and food preparation model with its partner's understanding of the local market.
South Korea is expected to serve as a reference market for the company's wider Asian expansion plans. Chipotle intends to open two additional restaurants in the country by the end of 2026, followed by its first restaurant in Singapore in 2027.
The company's entry into Asia reflects an effort to introduce its established fast-casual restaurant concept to consumers in new geographical markets.
Unlike traditional franchise agreements, the South Korean arrangement operates through a joint venture. This distinction highlights how restaurant brands can use different partnership structures depending on their international objectives and local market requirements.
Jollibee Strengthens Its Franchise Network in Canada
Philippine restaurant group Jollibee Foods Corporation is expanding its Canadian operations through multi-unit franchise development agreements.
In August 2026, the company announced a development agreement covering 16 new restaurants in British Columbia over five years. The agreement followed an earlier commitment to establish 10 restaurants in the Edmonton market.
Together, the two agreements represent 26 planned franchise locations. These are expected to complement Jollibee's existing network of 28 company-operated restaurants in Canada.
If all development commitments are completed, the company's Canadian restaurant network could reach 54 locations over the next five years.
The agreements represent an important step in Jollibee's transition towards a more balanced operating model that combines company-owned restaurants with franchise partnerships.
The company intends to work with experienced multi-unit operators to support its expansion while maintaining operational standards and disciplined capital investment.
Canada is therefore becoming an important market for Jollibee's international growth strategy.
Wendy's Plans More Than 60 New Restaurants in Mexico
Wendy's is also strengthening its international presence through franchise partnerships, with Mexico emerging as an important market for its Latin American expansion strategy.
In March 2026, the company announced two franchise agreements covering more than 60 additional restaurants across Mexico.
The first agreement, signed with AJ Group, covers the development of 50 restaurants across Mexico City and the states of Mexico, Hidalgo and Morelos.
The second agreement, with WS Pacific, covers 12 restaurants across Sinaloa and Durango.
Both partnerships involve operators with experience in restaurant operations, property development and regional business management.
The expansion is designed to strengthen Wendy's presence in major urban areas and establish additional locations in regional markets.
The company also identified Mexico's burger quick-service restaurant segment as an important growth opportunity, supported by consumer demand and opportunities to increase its market presence.
These agreements demonstrate how established restaurant brands are using local franchise operators to accelerate expansion without depending entirely on company-funded development.
Why Franchise Partnerships Are Becoming Important
Franchising provides restaurant companies with an alternative approach to geographical expansion. Instead of independently financing and operating every location, brands can collaborate with local investors and experienced business operators.
One important advantage is capital efficiency. Franchise partners generally finance a substantial portion of the investment required to establish and operate individual locations, allowing parent companies to pursue expansion with less direct capital expenditure.
Local market knowledge is another important factor. Regional operators understand customer preferences, property markets, supply-chain conditions and regulatory requirements.
Multi-unit development agreements can also support faster expansion by establishing specific restaurant-opening commitments across defined geographical areas.
However, partnership-driven growth does not eliminate operational challenges. Restaurant brands must maintain food quality, customer service, supply-chain reliability and consistent brand standards across independently operated locations.
Market Outlook
The latest expansion strategies from Subway, Chipotle, Jollibee and Wendy's illustrate how restaurant companies are using partnerships to strengthen their international presence.
Although each company follows a different operating model, the common objective is to access new markets while balancing investment requirements and long-term operational growth.
Subway is focusing on large-scale franchise development across EMEA, Jollibee is expanding its Canadian franchise network, Wendy's is increasing its presence in Mexico, and Chipotle is using a joint venture to establish its position in Asia.
The success of these strategies will depend on the ability of restaurant brands and their local partners to manage costs, maintain operational standards and build sustainable consumer demand.
As international competition increases, franchise partnerships and regional operating alliances are likely to remain important tools for restaurant companies seeking long-term geographical expansion.
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