The Complete List of Franchise Expos Worth Attending in 2020

Franchise expos take place all over the globe throughout the year, but it can be difficult to know which ones you’ll get the most from. We’ve created a run-down of some of the best events in the franchising calendar to help you decide. You’ll be able to find out what they offer and how you can attend.

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Whether you are just starting out on your franchise journey or are a seasoned franchisee, taking the time to visit industry events can be incredibly worthwhile. Not only will they motivate and inspire you, but they’ll also give you the chance to make contacts within your field. So, take a look at our list of the best franchise expos that are coming up in 2020.

The British & International Franchise Exhibition

Let’s start with a biggie. This is London’s leading franchise exhibition, featuring more than 100 different franchise brands. Every single one of them is accredited by the British Franchising Association (BFA), proving that they employ high ethical standards. Visitors will get the chance to choose from over 60 free presentations and discuss international franchising opportunities with industry professionals at the top of their game.

Dates: 31st Jan & 1st Feb 2020 Location: London Venue: Olympia London Cost of attendance: Free online, £15 on the door. To book up to six free tickets, click here. Perfect for: Anyone interested in franchising. The British & International Franchise Exhibition hosts franchises from a huge range of sectors and with a variety of investment levels, so there will be something for everyone. To give you an idea, the 2019 exhibition hosted businesses from 42 sectors that welcomed visitors from more than 30 different countries.

The National Franchise Exhibition

The National Franchise Exhibition introduces visitors to some of the best franchises from across the UK. Again, every business stall is BFA-accredited, so you know you’re only networking with responsible companies. More than 40 seminars and workshops are run at this franchising expo, all of which are free to attend. And there’ll be plenty of opportunity to get more information and expert advice from franchise professionals looking to recruit new business partners.

Dates: 13th & 14th March 2020, 2nd & 3rd October 2020 Location: Birmingham Venue: National Exhibition Centre (NEC) Cost of attendance: Free online, £15 on the door. To book up to six free tickets, click here. Perfect for: Those who are interested in the UK franchising industry. This event will host franchises from a large variety of sectors, so it’s useful for anyone looking to start a new franchise unit or develop an existing one.

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International Franchise Show

This exhibition is home to the largest selection of British and international brands of any franchise event in the UK. It hosts more than 160 exhibitors and runs 80 seminars, as well as interactive exhibits. And, of course, visitors can benefit from the expertise of the franchisors and franchisees behind the stalls.

Dates: 3rd & 4th April 2020 Location: London Venue: ExCeL London Cost of attendance: £10 online, £15 on the door, and under-15s can go for free with an accompanying adult. Book your tickets here. Perfect for: Those who would like to speak to a large number of different franchising teams. This franchise expo offers a wealth of information, not only for prospective franchisees, but for those already immersed in the franchise world too.

The traffic that comes to [the International Franchise Show] is fantastic, with thousands of people coming, the people are very qualified potential investors. The type of franchises that attend, it is a nice venue because you don’t have boring concepts or you don’t have low quality concepts, you have strong concepts, very successful concepts, so it makes it a very appealing proposition for people to come and shop around for a new franchise. – Rogelio Martinez, Tutor Doctor

The Northern Franchise Exhibition

If you’re based in the North of England, why not visit The Northern Franchise Exhibition? You’ll have the chance to get involved in over 40 free presentations and workshops and discuss franchising opportunities with the many businesses in attendance. All exhibitors will be BFA-accredited, so you can rest assured you won’t come across any sub-standard brands.

Dates: 12th & 13th June 2020 Location: Manchester Venue: EventCity Cost of attendance: TBC. Click here to book your tickets when registration opens. Perfect for: Entrepreneurs based in the North of England. This franchise expo also runs a careers clinic, finance clinic and vehicle-based showcase, so if you’re looking for advice or support in these areas, it’ll be ideal for you.

Franchise Opportunities

Franchise Opportunities is one of Scotland’s biggest franchise expos. According to the BFA, the Scottish franchise industry will be worth £1 billion by 2020. So, it’s a great time to scout out new business opportunities if you’re based in Scotland.

Dates: 3rd September 2020 Location: Glasgow Venue: Radisson Blu Cost of attendance: TBC. Click here to book your tickets when registration opens. Perfect for: People who are interested in Scotland’s franchising sector. Last year, the franchise expo hosted panels of finance specialists, lawyers, franchise consultants and BFA representatives, offering expert advice across a range of topics. Expect to find a similar set-up this year, with plenty of useful information for entrepreneurs from any background.

There's no question that anyone considering starting their own business in Scotland should attend this event. […] Franchise Opportunities will give you the chance to look closely at a wide range of options right here in Scotland and assess which is the right one for you. – Suzie McCafferty, Managing Director of Platinum Wave Franchising

Brand Licensing Europe

This isn’t a dedicated franchise expo, but it might be of interest if you’re looking into licensing agreements, which enable you to use an established brand for your own products. This event markets itself as “the only pan-European event dedicated to licensing and brand extension, bringing together 280+ leading brand owners with 7,500+ retailers, licensees and manufacturers”.

Dates: 6th, 7th & 8th October 2020 Location: London Venue: ExCeL London Cost of attendance: Free Perfect for: Those interested in licensing as opposed to franchising. Find out more information about the Brand Licensing Europe event here.

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Women In Business Expo

The number of women involved in the franchising industry has risen by 20 percent since 2015, to reach 37 percent. This franchise expo gathers together “inspiring and innovative women from across different industries” to inspire potential female entrepreneurs. In essence, this is “an event run by women for women”.

Dates: 14th & 15th October 2020 Location: Farnborough Venue: Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre Cost of attendance: Free Perfect for: Women! This is a child-friendly event with free parking and child creche, allowing mothers to make the most of the exhibition. Find out more and register your interest here.