The word “franchise” may sound old-fashioned, evoking images of fast food, coffee shops, or casual dining in many parts of the world. But in the U.S., the story is different. A franchise here is not just a restaurant business—it’s a strategic method for scaling a business.

Returning to the Franchise Expo at the American Dream Mall in New Jersey this year, I found myself fumbling with my ticket, mistakenly showing last year’s pass. In that moment, I realized: this is a pivotal moment.

Stepping into the expo, the atmosphere immediately shattered the stereotype of “franchise = food.” The floor was alive with robot startups, educational services, wellness programs, and kiosk solutions. In the U.S., franchises are no longer confined to specific industries—they are platforms for reproducing and expanding business models at scale.

The expo is more than an exhibition:

Walking the floor, you see how small ideas evolve into reality, connecting global vision with local impact.

Franchising is more than simply opening more locations. It’s the fastest path to expand your business into new cities, states, and even countries. What begins as a single idea can, through partners and replicable systems, spread across a map—this is the true power of a franchise.

But the path isn’t always smooth. Franchising is a highly regulated industry, requiring careful legal and financial preparation. At first, it may seem inaccessible, but it’s precisely these barriers that ensure trust and long-term sustainability. Only when preparation meets regulation can a franchise become a robust and enduring business model.

Outside the U.S., franchises are often associated exclusively with the food sector. In the U.S., however, the spectrum is much broader. The key is not the industry but the system itself. Franchising defines a way to replicate and scale a business, transcending industries and boundaries.

One of the most impactful moments was meeting Obed, a local connector who transformed opportunities into actionable partnerships. This meeting led to a virtual panel with Rick, Obed, Chris, and Paul.

The conversation was more than a meeting—it was a convergence of tradition, local opportunity, execution, and global vision. The virtual panel symbolized how franchises bridge the past, present, and future.

On the morning of September 11, 2025, Paul Kang joined Rick and Chris from Franchise Genesis for a virtual conversation about breaking into the U.S. market. The focus was clear: how can companies from Korea—and beyond—use franchising as their gateway to America?

This was not just another business meeting. It was a convergence of tradition, local opportunity, execution, and global vision. The exchange revealed what franchising truly represents today: a bridge connecting past, present, and future.

Paul Kang presented his digital magazine and the A2A Project (Anywhere to America), a platform designed to link immigrant networks with global partnerships. His mission goes beyond commerce—he envisions franchising as a tool to create jobs, energize local economies, and strengthen global ties.
“Korean companies often focus heavily on food or K-beauty,” he explained. “But the U.S. market is far more diverse. Franchising isn’t just about opening more stores—it’s about creating a system that connects global businesses with local communities.”

Rick, drawing on over four decades of experience, reminded that the U.S. is both the largest and one of the most regulated markets in the world. That reality, he noted, makes specialized partners essential. Chris added, “We’ve worked with international brands for nearly 20 years. Our role is to guide businesses through the legal, marketing, and operational steps so they can succeed here.”

The discussion also touched on visa programs for entrepreneurs and the very real financial considerations of building a franchise system—legal documentation, marketing, and compliance costs that can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Looking ahead, Paul Kang plans to launch a franchising education campaign in Korea through media and advertising partners, while collaborating with Franchise Genesis to develop tailored consulting packages. His vision extends further: transforming this initiative into a platform where immigrant communities and global networks intersect.

As Kang put it, franchising may look like a traditional model, but today it has new meaning:
“It’s a bridge—linking people, capital, and opportunity across borders.”

Franchising may be traditional, but in today’s global era, it is re-emerging as a vital tool for cross-border commerce. The path remains challenging, but for those who navigate the barriers, it offers the fastest and most powerful method to scale a business.

Now is the moment for the classic franchise model to shine once more—a creative and practical bridge between global and local, old and new.