In a statement, the firm said that it's added 16 new US franchise locations since 1 July 2010 as part of its expansion plans, raising the total number of franchises opened in 2010 to 31. Dollar Thrifty now has approximately 600 corporate and franchised locations in the US and Canada.

The rental giant also added five master licensees to its international operations in 2010. These include dual-branded franchises in both Israel and Italy as well as new franchise openings in the Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America region, including a Thrifty franchise in Turks and Caicos and a dual-branded Dollar and Thrifty franchise in Barbados.

'We are delighted with the number of new franchise locations in the US 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.'

Under the Dollar and Thrifty brands, the company now has over 1,550 corporate and franchised locations in 81 countries.