Franchise Expo Dallas, organized by MFV Expositions and Comexposium, is set to take place on Sept. 18-19 at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, marking the company’s first return to the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 2018. The event comes at a time when franchise interest is at an all-time high, with approximately 850,000 franchise establishments currently operating in the U.S., according to Martin Joksimovic, president of MFV Expositions.
The two-day trade show will feature more than 100 exhibitors, over a dozen workshops and sessions, and a roster of keynote speakers. Texas is perennially ranked in the top five states for franchise interest and activity, making Dallas a strategic location for the event. Registration has officially opened for both exhibitors and attendees.
“By almost any industry benchmark metric or standard, it’s clear that interest in business ownership through franchising is at an all-time high,” Joksimovic said. “There are approximately 850,000 franchise establishments in the U.S. today and it’s only a matter of time before the industry surpasses the one-million mark – a significant milestone. The networking opportunities at Franchise Expo Dallas are, by design, meant to spark the conversations that can turn entrepreneurial dreams into reality.”
The event’s educational programming includes two popular workshops on opening day: “A to Z’s of Buying a Franchise,” hosted by Dr. John Hayes, Titus Chair for Franchise Leadership at Palm Beach Atlantic University, and “Franchising Your Business,” presented by Mark Siebert of iFranchise Group. Additional sessions include “Top Questions to Ask a Franchisor Before Investing,” moderated by Natalie Hoyt of Ascent Hospitality Management, and a keynote on “Minorities Building Wealth with Franchising,” hosted by Andre Key, founder and CEO of Sociallybuzz. A full agenda is available on the Seminars page.
Networking opportunities will be a key focus, with the Emerging Brands Pavilion reserved for franchise concepts with fewer than 10 locations, the Business Resource Center for connecting with industry vendors, and Franchise Expo Unplugged, a partnership with Social Geek Radio offering podcasts and interviews from the trade show floor.
Exhibitors span a wide range of industries, including well-known brands such as McDonald’s, GNC Live Well, and Lightbridge Academy. The food and beverage sector features Perkins American Food Co., Mr. Gatti’s Pizza, The Big Biscuit, and Rosatti’s Pizza. Home services are represented by Poolwerx, Pi Kitchen and Bath Shop, and Milo Insulation, while senior care concepts like Golden Years Relocation and Assisted Living Mansion will also be present.
Franchise Expo Dallas is the second of four U.S. tour stops for MFV in 2026, following the International Franchise Expo in New York City in May. Future events include Franchise Expo Cincinnati (Oct. 23-24) and Franchise Expo West in Glendale, Arizona (Nov. 13-14).
For those interested in attending or exhibiting, registration is open on the official website, which also offers travel and lodging information. MFV Expositions, a leader in franchise expos for 35 years, and Comexposium, a global event organizer hosting more than 135 events annually, are jointly producing this event to connect entrepreneurs with franchise opportunities.
