Could Brazilian Waxing Be a Thing of the Past?

Brazil is known for many things; soccer, Copacabana and attractive women populating that beach.

Along with women, Brazil is also famous for Brazilian waxing. This may be a thing of the past.

Over the past decade or so, laser hair removal businesses have sprouted up across the country. In fact, they are among the most popular franchises now. Franchising grew 8.3% in 2015, despite a poor economy.

Hair removal is popular among men and women in Brazil with the most popular body parts being legs, armpits, bikini area and necks. The promise of permanent hair removal and thus no future costs for hair removal is the reason for the sector's popularity.

Some of the most popular laser hair removal franchises are:

Espaço Laser: Started in 2002, this company is perhaps most famous for its spokeswoman, Xuxa, the popular TV presenter. The company owns 51 locations and has 7 franchises across the country. Most locations are located in shopping malls. Bras Research estimates the company has revenues of R$93 million per year. Costs for opening a franchise are approximately R$800,00.

GiOLaser: This company also benefits from a popular spokeswoman, actress, Giovanni Antonelli. Currently, the company owns 1 location and has 5 franchises. Bras Research estimates the company's revenues at R$7.2 million. Costs of opening a location range from R$400,000 to R$500,000.

Other popular laser hair removal locations include Dr. Laser and Nao + Pelo.

For more information visit Bras Research's website Bras Research

Taco Bell Sets Foot Inside Brazil

Over the last decade, American fast food chains have setup shop or expanded in Brazil. In the last couple of years, expansion has been particularly strong, despite a poor economy. Three examples include Subway, Domino's Pizza, and Pizza Hut, which have increased the number of units and have expanded to smaller markets outside of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. This expansion of units was designed to not only increase revenues, but also to gobble up market share as other franchises suffered.

Fast food franchise expansion coincides with an overall growth in the sector. Franchises grew 8.3% in 2015. Currently, Subway is the largest fast food franchise in Brazil with nearly 2,000 stores.

Recently, the owner of Wizard, the country's largest chain of English schools, announced the entrance of Taco Bell. Formerly, Taco Bell was one of the largest American fast food chains with no presence in Brazil. The restaurant plans on opening three stores in Sao Paulo by the end of 2016. Expansion is expected to continue to Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Parana the following year.

The fast food chain plans on opening 100 Taco Bell locations in the country by 2020. 25 stores are expected to be owned by the fund group in Brazil, while 75 will be franchises.

To read more about the entrance of Taco Bell in Brazil visit (in Portuguese) Taco Bell Enters Brazil

For more about the fast food market in Brazil Bras Research has produced the Fast Food in Brazil 2015 industry report. The report covers the top fast food and QSR chains in the country in 2015 including the companies' operational indicators, geographical reach, retail presence and product lines. For more information visit Fast Food in Brazil 2015

Franchising Bucks Downward Trend

Despite experiencing the worst economic crisis since the 1930's, one area of the Brazilian economy that is still doing well are franchises. Over the past five years, the demand for franchises, both domestic and international, has been proven by the sector's strong revenue and unit growth. In 2015, the sector grew 8.3% increasing in value to R$138.593 billion. Franchises are expected to continue growing as companies look to expand into areas outside of the metropolitan areas of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Bras Research, a market research firm specialized in the Brazilian market, has recently released its Franchising in Brazil 2015 report, which covers the sectors historical periods, trends, operational indicators and more.

For more information visit Franchising in Brazil 2015