U.S. Commercial Service Celebrates Success of U.S. Franchise in
Hyderabad
Curves India CEO David Ramadan, U.S. Consul
General Cornelis Keur and B.V.K.Raju Director
Q-Mart Retail Ventures Pvt.
Ltd at the MoU signing ceremony. (Photo by RSJ Thomas)
Hyderabad|India|April'2010: The U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) in
Hyderabad, part of the U.S. Consulate, celebrates the success of Curves
International, Inc., the world’s largest women’s fitness club franchisor,
in signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Q-Mart Retail Ventures Pvt.
Ltd. for the development of 15 Curves for Women franchises in the city.
U.S. Consul General Cornelis Keur presided over the signing ceremony.
Curves for Women are 30-minute fitness and weight loss centers. Curves has
more than 10,000 locations in over 50 countries worldwide and has brought
fitness to more than four million women. “We want to bring our proven
program of health and fitness to Indian women,” said Curves India CEO
David Ramadan. “Now that Curves is the “McDonald’s of fitness” in the
U.S., with one Curves location for every two McDonald’s, we want to become
the “McDonald’s of fitness” for the world. With locations in more than 50
countries and one Curves for every three McDonald’s worldwide, we’re off
to a great start.”
USCS Hyderabad has been promoting U.S. franchises as potential business
opportunities for Hyderabadi entrepreneurs, developing a three-tiered
program of food, health/wellness and services franchises over a one-year
program. Though Curves represents one such success story, USCS Hyderabad
sees potential for more U.S. franchises to open in the city. Other notable
U.S. franchises currently operating in Hyderabad include: the Hard Rock
Café, Church’s Chicken, Sir Speedy, Subway, McDonalds and Pizza Hut.
These franchise successes come on the heels of the growing Indo-U.S.
trade. From 2006-2009, Indo-U.S. bilateral trade has increased by over
20%, despite the economic downturn last year. Indeed, India is viewed as a
key market in President Barack Obama’s National Export Initiative, with a
goal of doubling U.S. exports within the next five years. These
franchising opportunities showcase successful U.S. business models that
will create jobs for Indians, increasing prosperity and providing more
options for consumers.
-April'
2010
