Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: Saudi Arabia's franchise sector continues to expand, with more than 1,500 brands now operating under the franchise system, according to the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha'at).

The authority said in a recent press release that the total number of franchise brands reached 1,514 by the end of the second quarter of 2026, including 744 Saudi brands, which account for 49.1% of the market.

Monsha'at attributed the growth to the work of its Franchise Center, established in 2020, when the Kingdom had only 692 franchise brands, including 93 local brands. Since then, the center has supported the conversion of 214 Saudi businesses into franchise models, representing more than 28% of all local franchise brands.

The authority also said it has assessed the franchise readiness of 2,636 businesses to help strengthen the competitiveness and expansion of Saudi brands.

Franchise activity now spans sectors including food and beverages, retail, education, healthcare, services, and entertainment, creating new investment opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors.

To promote franchise culture, Monsha'at has organized 11 franchise rounds across the Kingdom, featuring more than 258 brands and attracting over 7,100 visitors, supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.