Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. announced Tuesday that it has opened 16 new U.S. franchise locations since July 1, 2010 as part of its expansion plan in the United States, raising the total number of franchises opened in 2010 to 31. In addition, the company continued to expand its global franchise presence, adding five master licensees to its international operations in 2010.

"We are delighted with the number of new franchise locations in the U.S. and across the globe," said Scott Thompson, president and CEO of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. "Domestic and international franchise growth is one of the keys to increasing our brands' visibility worldwide. Through our new franchise partners, we are able to offer our expanding customer base incredible value in multiple new markets, all in a capital-efficient manner."

DTG's domestic franchise expansion includes the refranchising of two former corporate locations now successfully re-entering the market as dual-branded Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental franchise locations in Bentonville, Ark. and Springfield, Mo. The company's domestic franchise growth also includes Dollar openings in Wilmington, N.C., Staten Island N.Y. and Marquette, Mich., as well as a Thrifty location in Danvers, Mass.

Additionally, DTG has added several combined U.S. Thrifty Car Sales and Thrifty Car Rental locations which provide retail used vehicles sales and serve the rental needs of the local market.  The new locations include Grand Rapids, Mich., Delano, Minn., Johnston, R.I., Dublin, Calif., Charlotte, N.C., Kearney, Neb., Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Centerville, Ohio.

DTG has four international regions, Europe and Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA), Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America (CMLA), Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Asia/Pacific (AP). The company has added five master licensees, which represent whole countries, since Jan. 1, 2010. The ESSA region growth includes dual-branded franchises in both Israel and Italy. In addition, new franchise openings in the CMLA region included a Thrifty franchise in Turks and Caicos and a dual-branded Dollar and Thrifty franchise in Barbados.

Dollar and Thrifty now have over 1,550 corporate and franchised worldwide locations represented in 81 countries including approximately 600 in the U.S. and Canada.