Raising franchise standards in Lebanon

Franchising expanded notably in Lebanon during the late 1990s, as international names established themselves across the country. Lebanese businesses initially participated as franchisees, before increasingly developing their own franchise concepts in the early 2000s. A significant milestone came in April 2006 with the establishment of the Lebanese Franchise Association (LFA), whose objectives include promoting franchising, supporting intellectual property protection and strengthening professional ethics between franchisors and franchisees.

Lebanon’s economic crisis, beginning in late 2019, brought substantial closures and job losses across its franchise community. Nevertheless, new openings have demonstrated continuing investment and consumer demand, including names such as Levi’s, Pizza Hut and Pinkberry. In 2025, Lebanon was home to more than 870 franchise concepts, with food and beverage accounting for 48 per cent. The market combines international brands and Lebanese concepts, although difficult trading conditions make careful commercial assessment essential.