Food Franchise Opportunities From FranchiseDirect.com Offer a Sizzling Start to 2009

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - January 13, 2009) - Resolution makers set on working for themselves or making more money in 2009 can achieve their goals this year with their own food franchise says Franchise Direct, one of the world's leading portals for franchise and business opportunities.

While the restaurant industry has earned a reputation for high risk, especially during the current rocky economic climate, food franchises based on proven systems have a higher success rate (about 62 percent over four years) than independent operators, offering high rewards to franchise owners.

"Food franchises are our most popular franchise opportunity at Franchise Direct," said Diana Thurmann of Franchise Direct. "We have as many varieties of food franchises as there are types of foods. Investments can range from the very high end of hundreds of thousands of dollars for full-service restaurants, to a moderate capital outlay for vending machines."

According to the National Restaurant Association's 2009 Restaurant Industry Forecast restaurant industry sales are expected to reach $566 billion in 2009, with the industry employing 13 million individuals in 945,000 restaurant-and-foodservice outlets nationwide with overall restaurant industry sales increasing by 2.5 percent in current dollars over 2008 figures.

Top trends restaurateurs see for 2009 include an expanded focus on value, healthy options in kids' meals, locally sourced items and green initiatives. Health food franchises are undoubtedly a niche market within the franchise industry, but it is also a very profitable niche market to invest in. Consumers will tend to dig deep to pay for products that are deemed expensive if they know they are buying a product or service that will be beneficial to them in the long term.

Franchise Direct currently offers over 50 different food franchise opportunities including organic and health food franchises, fast food franchises, drive thru franchises, pizza, Mexican food, smoothie franchises and more.

For additional information or to invest in the multi-billion dollar food franchises industry and earn a slice of the profits, visit www.FranchiseDirect.com.

About Franchise Direct:

Franchise Direct is one of the world's leading portals for franchise and business opportunities. Started as a single website for the promotion of franchises in the US market in 1998, Franchise Direct now operates a suite of nine multilingual sites targeting North America and Europe. Through its extensive website network, Franchise Direct allows highly effective, targeted exposure by franchisors to prospective franchisees worldwide. Every effort is made to assist franchisors to link up with suitable investors, while they in turn are presented with a range of services to help them find the right franchise.

Contact Information: Contact: Franchise Direct