Franchise Direct are excited by the opening of a new international franchise in their home town of Dublin, which is creating much needed employment for Irish people along with new business start ups!There has been so much hype about the opening of Ireland’s first IKEA store, which finally opened to much furore yesterday morning. IKEA celebrated the opening with a traditional Swedish log cutting ceremony and welcomed approximately 3,000 excited customers to the store situated in Dublin suburb – Ballymun within the first hour of opening.The opening of the store has been causing excitement ever since its announcement at the start of Ireland’s economic downturn, primarily for two reasons: the prospect of new jobs and also a store offering very affordable home ware. In fact, the impending opening even influenced the staging of a play by Ballymun’s axis theatre – “Waiting for IKEA”. However, what is even more interesting for entrepreneurs is the start up of new small businesses in reaction to the opening of IKEA. Small businesses offering flat pack assembly services have sprung up overnight. Small businesses such as Flatpack Unpack and hilariously named Simple Assembly Me Hole all promise to assemble your new IKEA flat pack furniture and save your marriage at the same time.IKEA have shown remarkable dedication to the global expansion of their franchise. With 301 stores open in 37 countries, the franchise along with its many franchisees is a Swedish success story, having opened its first store in Älmhult, Sweden in 1958. So while a large international home improvement franchisemoves into the Irish market, it is encouraging to know that this has provided ample business opportunitiesto Irish entrepreneurs also. IKEA are most certainly welcome to Ireland.