Following the announcement that Gap has begun franchising (reported in Franchise International, 2nd Quarter 2006), the US clothing retail brand has expanded its initial franchise agreement with Singaporean group FJ Benjamin Holdings to include the development of Gap and Banana Republic stores in Indonesia.

FJ Benjamin Holdings, which took on the territories of Singapore and Malaysia in the original agreement with Gap, already owns franchises under Guess, Valentino and La Senza across South East Asia and Australia. The Master Franchisee is seeking to open up to 20 locations by 2010.

This year Gap has also brought more franchise partners on board in United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, and plans to have 90 Gap and Banana Republic stores in Southeast Asia and the Middle East by 2010.