Malaysia aims to reach RM100 billion in national franchise sales by 2030, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said, describing the target as achievable with sustained growth and stronger international expansion.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said the franchise sector must maintain annual growth of between eight and 10 per cent while expanding aggressively overseas. He stressed that more Malaysian brands should establish a presence in at least 25 countries within the next five years.
Speaking at the Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) Awards, he said the government plans to drive this growth through the proposed Asean Franchise Gateway, which would position Malaysia as a regional hub for franchise expansion across South-east Asia.
He noted that Asean’s population of over 680 million people and its growing middle class present significant opportunities for Malaysian franchises to scale regionally and globally. Through the gateway, Malaysia would function as a one-stop centre for franchise internationalisation, offering streamlined regulations, legal and intellectual property support, halal certification alignment, integrated logistics, TVET-based workforce development and fast-track market entry.
Ahmad Zahid said the Enhanced Franchise Development Programme (EFDP) would also be strengthened through targeted trade missions to priority markets, helping Malaysian franchises build strategic partnerships, improve brand visibility and deepen their overseas presence.
“With strong regulatory alignment, ecosystem integration and proactive international outreach, Malaysia can position itself as Asean’s leading franchise hub and the natural entry point for global and regional brands into South-east Asia,” he said.
He also proposed the creation of a National Franchise Academy integrated with TVET, aimed at producing franchise-ready workers, standardising service excellence and professionalising frontline talent to ensure consistent brand delivery.
Highlighting opportunities in halal franchising, Ahmad Zahid noted that Malaysia has topped the Global Islamic Economy Indicator for 10 consecutive years. He said the global halal economy, currently valued at over US$3 trillion, is projected to reach US$5 trillion by 2030, offering major growth potential for Malaysian franchise brands.
He added that the tourism sector, which contributes 15.1 per cent to Malaysia’s GDP, would also benefit from franchising as tourists increasingly seek reliable, quality-assured services — a trend expected to accelerate ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026.
