This thesis provides an overview of the Balkans' franchise status as well as any specific laws and registration requirements for franchise systems in the region. Since the Balkans have not been covered with regards to franchising in any comprehensive fashion in the past, this study represents the first look at the topic in this part of the world, contributing to the literature on franchising in emerging economies. Through this research is investigated the history of franchising on the Balkans and the state of franchising today in the region. Franchise associations were contacted in the Balkan countries, and requested information from them. As the research method we used a survey and the country's associations that are contacted are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania and Slovenia. In addition, I gathered information from academic as well as trade publications on the topic across the region. All the information that is gathered is stated in the thesis, limited by poorly response on the survey. Another restriction was unavailable view of few franchise articles and outdated statistic. The data was analyzed to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the franchising industry in the Balkans.