The initiative announces brands recognized for international expansion and releases updated rankings on global presence and number of operations abroad
Franchising Brasil — the internationalization program of the Brazilian Association of Franchising (ABF) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) — has announced the brands recognized in the 7th edition of the International Franchise Certificate. This initiative consolidates the sector’s commitment to expanding the presence of Brazilian franchises in the global market. The certificate reinforces the maturity of chains that pursue international expansion as a strategy for competitiveness and brand strengthening.
The registered franchises, all participants of Franchising Brasil, were evaluated according to the maturity stage of their international operations and received certificates in the Pleno, Senior, Master, and Mega categories. In this 7th edition, the certificate was awarded to 19 brands in the Pleno category, 32 in Senior, 6 in Master, and 14 in Mega, reflecting the continuous progress of Brazilian chains across different stages of internationalization.
“The certificate is a milestone that demonstrates how well-prepared Brazilian franchises are to compete abroad, with solid business models, innovation, and cultural adaptability. With each edition, we see an increase in the maturity of the chains and the strengthening of Brazil’s presence in the global market,” states Bruno Amado, Executive Manager of Franchising Brasil and International Projects Manager at ABF.
Internationalization Rankings
The ranking by number of operations abroad among the registered brands showed significant progress by Brazilian chains. Smart Fit leads with 986 units, followed by Oakberry Açaí Bowls, which reached 620 operations. Next are Kumon (337), iGUi (275), and O Boticário (153), all with a consolidated presence in multiple markets. The group of the ten most internationalized brands is completed by Acium (151), Havaianas (138), Localiza (86), Espaçolaser (77), and Chilli Beans (67), which continue to expand their operations abroad.
The ranking by number of countries confirms the geographic reach of national franchises. iGUi remains the most globalized Brazilian brand among those registered, with a presence in 50 countries, while Oakberry Açaí Bowls follows closely behind with 47 markets. Among the other chains with the widest global reach are Chilli Beans and Smart Fit (both with 15 countries), Acium (12), O Boticário (10), CleanNew (9), Doutor Sofá (9), Havaianas (8), and Açaí Concept (8), all demonstrating capacity for adaptation and consolidation in different regions.
Check out the list of chains that received the certificate:
PLENO CATEGORY
Morana
Divino Fogão – Comida da Fazenda
inFlux English School
Depyl Action
Magrass
Instituto Brasileiro de Línguas
Sodiê Doces
Liz Lingerie
Jah
Fórmula Animal
Clube de Permuta
My Place Office
Pizza do Rão
Aramis
Panobianco Academia
Vida Leve
Pampili
Itália no Box
Cresci e Perdi
SENIOR CATEGORY
Puket
Casa do Construtor
Emagrecentro
Onodera Estética
Nutty Bavarian
Wizard by Pearson
Bibi
Jorge Bischoff
Anjos Colchões
NTW Contabilidade e Gestão Empresarial
Fini
Billy The Grill
L’Entrecôte de Paris
Doutor Hérnia
Mercadão dos Óculos
Boali
Top English
Sorrifácil Clínica Dentária
Lavateria
Maple Bear
School of Rock
Sushi Rão
Maria Pitanga Açaiteria
Bateras Beat Music School
Encontre Sua Viagem
The Best Açaí
Total Clean
Rede Vistorias
Hometree
Invest4U
Kingdom Açaí
Corpo Bueno
MASTER CATEGORY
Hope Lingerie
Sobrancelhas Design
Sóbrancelhas
Ronaldo Academy
Happy Hub Educacional
Cotafácil
MEGA CATEGORY
Kumon
O Boticário
Localiza
Chilli Beans
iGUi
Havaianas
Acium
Smart Fit
Espaçolaser
Açaí Concept
CleanNew
Oakberry Açaí Bowls
Mundo à Parte
Doutor Sofá
About Franchising Brasil
Franchising Brasil is a project that aims to support the internationalization strategy of Brazilian franchise networks and their commercial promotion in key international markets. The initiative is a partnership between the ABF and ApexBrasil, which works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy through trade promotion initiatives. To participate, download and fill out the membership form available on the website and send it to internacional@abf.com.br.
About the ABF
Founded in 1987, the Brazilian Association of Franchising (ABF) is a non-profit entity that officially represents the Brazilian franchising system. Its mission is to defend, promote, and foster the sector, both nationally and internationally, so that it remains prosperous, sustainable, innovative, inclusive, and ethical. With more than 35 years of history, the ABF enjoys great prestige and an established reputation in the market. The association also serves as the headquarters of the Ibero-American Franchise Federation (FIAF), is a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA), leader of the World Franchise Council (WFC), and the organizer of the world’s largest franchise expo, the ABF Franchising Expo.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) promotes Brazilian products and services abroad and attracts foreign investments to strategic industries of the Brazilian economy. To reach its goals, ApexBrasil carries out diversified trade promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and valuing Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and trade missions, business roundtables, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, and visits by foreign buyers and influencers to learn about the Brazilian productive structure, among other business platforms that are also focused on strengthening “Brazil” as a brand. The agency also acts in a coordinated manner with public and private actors to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on strategic sectors for the development of the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country.