Last month, Antal International Networks franchisees opened 10 new businesses - five in India, three in Germany, one in Israel and one in the UK. In 2009, 20 were opened around the world. Bugie told Recruiter that he anticipated the opening of 25 more Antal franchises by the end of the year. “These are people investing their life savings to put into one of these businesses,” Bugie said.

The thriving jobs market in India needs well-educated expatriates who want to return home to work after years abroad. Such high-potentials with money to invest and many with MBAs are also likely prospects to take on Antal franchises, Bugie said. “We want to capture them as candidates and as business owners. Recruitment is a cool business to be in there,” he added. “It’s sexy, high-impact and has social impact. It resonates with them. “

The franchise operation is also gearing up a campaign to step up its penetration into the UK and boost its chain from the existing 15 offices, Bugie said. The advertising campaign will be aimed at the entrepreneur community.

Antal International Networks has 80 offices worldwide.

(For more on Indian expatriates’ return home, see “Huxley’s research reveals boom for IT professionals in India,” Recruiter, 14 April.)