Venezuela’s franchise sector currently comprises 75 active brands, operating over 2,500 points of sale nationwide and generating more than 45,000 jobs, according to Raúl Angulo, president of the Venezuelan Chamber of Franchises (Profranquicias).
Angulo described the sector as “extremely resilient with a great capacity for adaptation,” categorizing it into three primary groups: gastronomy, services, and retail. He indicated a growing interest from both Venezuelan nationals residing within the country and those abroad in bringing foreign brands to operate under a franchise model.
Speaking on Circuito Éxitos 99.9 FM, Angulo stated that 2026 is anticipated to be “a very beautiful, very challenging year,” requiring the sector to translate decades of developed resilience and adaptation into “muscles of competitiveness.”
Despite the sector’s inherent adaptability, Angulo highlighted ongoing obstacles to business operations within Venezuela. He noted that registering a company in the country “remains very difficult” and called for simplification of administrative procedures. He further stated that establishing a company and commencing operations can take three to four months, although he acknowledged ongoing efforts to improve this timeframe, emphasizing that “there is still a long way to go.”
In late February 2026, Angulo reported that foreign companies are actively conducting due diligence and compliance checks regarding investment opportunities in Venezuela, specifically inquiring with Profranquicias about the process of investing in the country and securely entering the market. This interest follows a 2025 where the sector experienced mixed results, with some companies increasing sales and expanding their footprint while others maintained or reduced their presence, according to Angulo.
According to data cited by Angulo, approximately eight out of ten franchise businesses in Venezuela survive beyond five years, a significantly higher success rate compared to the one-in-ten survival rate for traditional Venezuelan startups. He cautioned, yet, that success is not guaranteed in any business venture, even within a franchise system.
