MFV Expositions and Comexposium are set to host Franchise Expo Dallas on September 18-19 at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, marking the organization's first return to the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 2018. The event is expected to draw thousands of attendees and features more than 100 exhibitors, over a dozen workshops, and a lineup of keynotes, reflecting a surge in franchise interest across the nation.
According to Martin Joksimovic, president of MFV Expositions, "interest in business ownership through franchising is at an all-time high." He highlighted that there are approximately 850,000 franchise establishments in the U.S., and the industry is on the verge of surpassing one million. Texas, perennially ranked in the top five states for franchise activity, presents a strategic location for the expo, which aims to connect motivated entrepreneurs with diverse franchise opportunities.
The expo's educational programming includes popular sessions like the "A to Z's of Buying a Franchise" hosted by Dr. John Hayes of Palm Beach Atlantic University, and "Franchising Your Business" presented by Mark Siebert of iFranchise Group. Additional sessions cover topics such as "Top Questions to Ask a Franchisor Before Investing" and a keynote on "Minorities Building Wealth with Franchising" by Andre Key of Sociallybuzz.
Special networking areas include the Emerging Brands Pavilion for franchises 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 live podcasts from the trade show floor.
Exhibitors span a wide range of industries, 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 stop in MFV's 2026 U.S. tour, 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 attendees and exhibitors is now open. For more details, visit the official event page at Franchise Expo Dallas. Information about travel and lodging is also available on the site.
The return of the expo to Dallas underscores the growing demand for franchise opportunities and the role of such events in fostering entrepreneurial connections.
