Many franchising events returned to the in-person model in 2021, but some still ran hybrid or virtual events. 2022 is shaping up to be better, with more in-person events running and constant improvements being made to the agendas and facilities available.
These events are where lifelong connections are made and deals are signed. There are few opportunities in which so many brands and potential franchisees are under one roof for two days or more, and in an environment that encourages signing deals and conducting business. Europe is also an important destination for international franchisors with the high profile of consumers across the continent.
While countries like Spain, Germany and France have typically been the go-to destinations for international brands, many are now looking further east into countries like Poland, which has a burgeoning domestic franchise scene.
With a mix of very interested potential franchisees and brands looking to expand into Europe, many European franchising events are the perfect place to attend to do business.
Franchise Expo Paris
Franchise Expo Paris is one of Europe’s premier franchising events. This French-speaking expo is one Global Franchise attended in 2021 and were greatly impressed with. The show floor was constantly buzzing and attracted thousands of industry professionals who were looking to learn about new brands and present their own.
The Parisian franchise event tends to attract elaborate brands who celebrate their ingenuity. Despite having a year off, many brands returned to the show with creative, engaging and appealing booths to present their brands.
Franchise Expo Paris is replete with seminars to educate attendees about the latest goings-on in the French and international franchise industry. There are also networking areas for professionals to connect with each other and form relationships.
This event is expected to attract over 35,000 attendees and 500 exhibitors from 90 sectors, many of which are international brands. This event is simply a must-attend for all French speakers, and even those who don’t! Plenty of booths and professionals are willing to discuss their brand or opportunity in English too.
Where: Porte de Versailles, Paris
When: Mar 20 – 23, 2022
International Franchise Show London
The International Franchise Show London is Britain’s biggest and most popular franchising event. Over the course of two days, this event brings together a number of brands and visitors for two days of seminars, networking and of course, franchise deals.
Global Franchise attended the 2021 edition of the International Franchise Show London after the event was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19. It was an extremely well-attended event, with the likes of McDonald’s and Little Caesars Pizza exhibiting their brands. The show floor had strong footfall and every booth was busy.
The show floor is strategically designed and features a keynote theatre, a business show zone, U.S. pavilion, a coffee area and space for numerous workshops and panels.
2021 attracted over 10,000 attendees, 50 international brands and more than 60 speakers, there’s every reason to believe that it will be bigger this year. This is one of the few franchising events of the year that is completely free; there can be no downside to attending the International Franchise Show London.
Where: ExCeL London
When: Apr 8 – 9, 2022
FEX 22
Franchise Expo Frankfurt has always been one of the biggest and most well-attended franchising expos for the German-speaking community, and is Germany’s single biggest franchising event.
The show previously teamed up with the Austrian Franchise Exhibition in 2021 to pool resources in the face of COVID-19. The show had a hybrid structure, whereby some events were held in person while others were virtual, which protected the expo against cancellation. However, 2022 is shaping up to be a better year, and Franchise Expo Frankfurt are confident of the conditions and will go it alone.
This is the fifth edition of the Franchise Expo Frankfurt, and bar the disruption caused by COVID-19, it’s an expo that is only getting bigger and bigger. The German market is a lucrative one and consequently, over 100 international franchise brands are attracted to the show floor of the Congress Centre Messe Frankfurt.
In three short days, entrepreneurs could find themselves buying a franchise and a brand could find itself selling units or areas too; it’s an expo where deals can be made. Be sure to attend Franchise Expo Frankfurt and make some inroads into the burgeoning German franchise market, and even take a look at some growing German brands that are ripe for the international market.
Where: Congress Center Messe Frankfurt
When: Nov 10 – 12, 2022
Warsaw Franchise Fair
The Warsaw Franchise Fair is the largest and most important event for franchisors, professionals and curious entrepreneurs in central and eastern Europe. As the region’s premier franchising event, it draws many varied attendees, many of whom are looking for franchises to buy.
Eastern Europe is one of the fastest growing regions on the planet, with so much development taking place alongside ambitious entrepreneurs and professionals putting their country on the business map. This event is also strongly supported by a new member of the World Franchise Network, the Polish Franchise Organization, which work tirelessly to advance the cause of Polish franchising and Polish brands.
The Warsaw Franchise Fair doesn’t attract window shoppers – it attracts doers:
“We have been exhibiting at this Expo for several years and we always meet people who become our franchisees within a few next months. The main advantage of this event is that it gathers people who really want to do franchise business and they finally do,” said Wojciech Goduński, the owner of numerous Polish franchise brands.
This well attended event has been running for 19 years, meaning the organizers have extensive knowledge and experience in how to deliver the best fair for both exhibitors and visitors. This can clearly be seen in how highly brands regard this event for being able to sell franchises. The Warsaw Franchise Fair is held in the Palace of Culture and Science, a grand old Soviet-style skyscraper.
Where: Palace of Culture and Science, Warsaw
When: Oct 20 – 22, 2022
Expofranquicia
Expofranquicia is Spain’s major franchising event during the year, and is the intersection between Spain and the rest of the world. The likes of Santander and similarly large companies have seen fit to make themselves present at this expo due to the number of attendees.
Spain has always been one of Europe’s most popular destinations for franchises, as Spaniards are opening and accepting of foreign brands. The country is home to 1,381 brands of which 56 come from France and 46 from the U.S. The Spanish franchise market is an interesting one, and one that international franchisors need to look into.
Expofranquicia is a well established event, and is running into its 26th year. As a result, this long-standing event is very well attended by both visitors and exhibitors. This event tends to attract 15,000 people over the three days and 500 brands. 17 per cent of the 500 brands that exhibit are international, and represent 20 sectors.
From the 15,248 attendees that descended on Madrid last year, 31.7 per cent attended with the intention of buying a franchise within the year, and 5.9 per cent were on the lookout for a master franchise deal. This is the event to attend for those who are looking to strike deals.
The organizers of this event want to facilitate deal making and have created a private business room for one-on-one meetings between investors to optimize the time spent at the event. Franchise education is also on the agenda at Expofranquicia with The Franchise School, a franchising educational resource.
When: IFEMA Madrid
When: May 5 – 7, 2022
