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This figure had always been increase yearly and this is the case globally. Because franchising is a business format that has no impediments and no boundaries to success, anyone from any walk of life can become a successful entrepreneur and enter into a profitable business venture.

Also, the recession has contributed positively to retail franchising globally, because of the reduction in individuals (customer's) disposable income, therefore customers now opt for low priced and cheap food globally. For instance, McDonald's announced sales increase in the year ended 2008 despite the economic instability.

In the final company financial revenue publication for the year ended 2008, the company recorded revenues has increased to $23,522.4 million, an increase of 3.2% over 2007. For FY2008, the US, the company's largest geographic market, accounted for 34.3% of the total revenues. The company identifies each segments based upon geographical regions of operations. The company generates revenues through four business segments: Europe (42.2% of the total revenues FY2008), the US (34.3%), APMEA (18.0%), and other countries and corporate (5.5%), (McDonalds Corporation Company profile, (Data monitor) June 2009, p.16)

Revenues by Geographic Business Segments

Europe accounted for 42.2% of the total revenues in FY2008. Revenues from Europe reached $9,922.9 million in 2008, an increase of 11.2% over 2007.

The US, McDonald's largest geographical market, accounted for 34.3% of the total revenues in FY2008. Revenues from the US reached $8,078.3 million in 2008, an increase of 2.2% over 2007. APMEA accounted for 18% of the total revenues in FY2008. Revenues from APMEA reached $4,230.8 million in 2008, an increase of 17.6% over 2007. Other countries and Corporate accounted for 5.5% of the total revenues in FY2008. Revenues from other countries and corporate reached $1,290.4 million in 2008, a decrease of 45.2% compared to 2007. (McDonalds Corporation Company profile, (Data monitor) June 2009, p.16)

The above analysis has shown evidence of the increased sales and success in franchising at McDonalds despite the recession, especially in the European countries, therefore supporting the contribution of franchising to the economic growth and stability of the operation's country's economy.

McDonald's involvement in community investment programmes focus on education, health, combating poverty, charity sponsorship etc, which varies according to local needs around the world. For instance, in the U.K, McDonalds has been sponsoring grassroots community football by sponsoring 4500 local clubs, training coaches, sponsoring the F.A community shield football and sponsorship of the Ronald McDonalds House of Charities in support of the families in the hospitals and homeless individuals and so on.

Because of the popularity in franchising nowadays, entrepreneurs prefers to adopt franchising because of less risks involved instead of embarking on individual business set up, and according to the literatures and observations, the largest franchise sectors are represented within the hospitality industry (food, restaurants, and lodging sectors). Hoy& Stanworth (2003), also argued``that 'Business format franchising h本论文由英语论文网提供整理，提供论文代写，英语论文代写，代写论文，代写英语论文，代写留学生论文，代写英文论文，留学生论文代写相关核心关键词搜索。