Franchise Expo Dallas, organized by MFV Expositions and Comexposium, is set to take place on September 18-19 at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. This marks the first time the event returns to the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 2018, a strategic move given Texas' consistent ranking among the top five states for franchise interest and activity.
The two-day expo will feature more than 100 exhibitors, over a dozen workshops and sessions, and a lineup of keynote speakers. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore franchise ownership as a path to independence and flexibility, with a focus on one-on-one interactions with franchisors.
Martin Joksimovic, president of MFV Expositions, highlighted the significance of the event, noting that there are approximately 850,000 franchise establishments in the U.S. today, with the industry on the verge of surpassing one million. He emphasized the expo's role in connecting motivated entrepreneurs with franchise opportunities across various industries and investment levels, calling it a matchmaking platform for turning entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
The educational program includes popular workshops such as "A to Z's of Buying a Franchise" led 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 cover topics like "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" by Andre Key, founder and CEO of Sociallybuzz.
Special programming includes the Emerging Brands Pavilion, reserved for franchises with fewer than 10 locations, the Business Resource Center for networking with industry vendors, and Franchise Expo Unplugged, a series of podcast interviews in partnership with Social Geek Radio.
The exhibitor list spans a wide range of sectors, from well-known names like McDonald's, GNC Live Well, and Lightbridge Academy to food and beverage brands such as 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 the senior care sector includes Golden Years Relocation and Assisted Living Mansion.
Franchise Expo Dallas is the second of four U.S. stops for MFV Expo in 2026, following the International Franchise Expo in New York City in May. Upcoming events include Franchise Expo Cincinnati (Oct. 23-24) and Franchise Expo West in Glendale, Arizona (Nov. 13-14).
Registration for both attendees and exhibitors is now open. For more information, including travel and lodging options, visit https://www.franchiseexpo.com/dallas.
