Sixt AG and its U.S. Franchise Unit (Sixt Franchise USA LLC) announce the opening of their first U.S. franchise location. The new outlet will service car rental customers from the Tampa International Airport.

"We are thrilled to have our first U.S. franchise location open for business just a few short months after the official launch of our U.S. sales effort,” commented Craig Olson, vice president of North America franchise development for Sixt Franchise USA, LLC. “Tampa is one of the top travel destinations in the U.S., and Sixt's Tampa location is ready to service both business and leisure travelers."

"Interest in joining the Sixt franchise system has been very strong, and we have already signed franchise agreements for more major U.S. airport markets, including the Las Vegas market,” Olson continued. “There are many great airport and local markets still available.  We have also completed the necessary steps to begin franchising in Canada. Independent car rental operators and entrepreneurs are excited to get in on the ground floor of our U.S. & Canadian expansion. Additional franchise locations will be opening throughout the year, and Sixt will continue to add new franchisees to facilitate its growth in U.S. & Canadian markets."

Sixt reports it is actively seeking growth-oriented franchisees in an initiative to expand its franchise network into the U.S. and Canada as part of its effort to further internationalize the group's business.

The Sixt franchise system has more than 80 master franchisees operating from roughly 1,000 worldwide locations. In the U.S., Sixt operates corporate branches in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Seattle. Sixt reports that it plans to further expand in the U.S. with a step by step, measured approach of corporate expansion along with the addition of growth oriented local franchisees.