Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. announced Monday that it granted 15 new franchises in the past two quarters and signed contracts for an additional 13 franchises, which are expected to be granted in the next 90 days.

The expansion includes 19 domestic and nine international franchises. Franchisees may open multiple locations under each franchise agreement.

"Franchise operations are an important part of our strategy, allowing us to expand our brand presence in a capital efficient manner into smaller domestic markets, as well as internationally. We are very pleased with the number of new franchises and excited about future opportunities to prudently expand our footprint domestically and internationally," said Scott L. Thompson, DTAG's president and chief executive officer.

As of Dec. 31, 2009, in addition to the 296 company-operated stores, the company has 1,262 franchise locations in 81 countries.