MFV Expositions and Comexposium are bringing Franchise Expo Dallas back to the Dallas-Fort Worth area on September 18-19, 2026, after an eight-year hiatus. The event, held at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, is expected to attract thousands of attendees, with more than 100 exhibitors and a robust lineup of workshops, seminars, and keynote speakers. This return capitalizes on Texas's consistent ranking among the top five states for franchise interest and activity.
The two-day expo aims to connect motivated entrepreneurs with a wide range of franchise opportunities, from emerging concepts to established brands. Martin Joksimovic, president of MFV Expositions, highlighted the growing interest in franchising, noting that there are approximately 850,000 franchise establishments in the U.S. and that the industry is on track to surpass one million. He emphasized the networking potential of the event, which is designed to facilitate conversations that can turn entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
The 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 cover topics such as "Top Questions to Ask a Franchisor Before Investing" and a keynote on "Minorities Building Wealth with Franchising" by Andre Key, founder and CEO of Sociallybuzz.
Attendees can also participate in special networking opportunities, including the Emerging Brands Pavilion for franchises with fewer than 10 locations, the Business Resource Center for connecting with industry vendors and suppliers, and Franchise Expo Unplugged, which features podcast interviews and insights from Social Geek Radio.
The exhibitor list spans multiple industries, featuring well-known brands like McDonald's, GNC Live Well, and Lightbridge Academy. The food and beverage sector includes 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 market includes Golden Years Relocation and Assisted Living Mansion.
Franchise Expo Dallas is the second of four U.S. tour 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 attendees and exhibitors is now open. For more information, including travel and lodging options, visit https://www.franchiseexpo.com/dallas.
