Franchise Expo Dallas Returns to Texas After Eight-Year Hiatus

After an eight-year absence, the Franchise Expo Dallas is set to return to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, signaling a strong resurgence of interest in franchise ownership across Texas. Organized by MFV Expositions and Comexposium, the event will take place on September 18-19 at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, with more than 100 exhibitors and dozens of workshops and keynote sessions expected to draw thousands of attendees.

Texas has consistently ranked among the top five states for franchise interest and activity, making it a natural destination for this expo. According to Martin Joksimovic, president of MFV Expositions, the franchise industry is booming, with approximately 850,000 franchise establishments in the U.S. today. He predicts the industry will soon surpass the one-million mark, a milestone that underscores the growing appeal of business ownership through franchising.

The expo aims to serve as a matchmaker, connecting motivated entrepreneurs with franchise opportunities across a wide range of industries and investment levels. Attendees will have the chance to explore everything from emerging brands to household names, including McDonald's, GNC Live Well, and Lightbridge Academy. The food and beverage sector will be well-represented with brands like Perkins American Food Co., Mr. Gatti's Pizza, The Big Biscuit, and Rosatti's Pizza. Home services will feature Poolwerx, Pi Kitchen and Bath Shop, and Milo Insulation, while senior care concepts such as Golden Years Relocation and Assisted Living Mansion will also be on hand.

Education is a key component of the event, with two popular workshops scheduled for opening day: “A to Z’s of Buying a Franchise” led by Dr. John Hayes of Palm Beach Atlantic University, and “Franchising Your Business” presented by Mark Siebert of iFranchise Group. Additional programming includes a session on 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.

Networking opportunities abound, with the Emerging Brands Pavilion showcasing 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 exclusive podcast interviews from the trade show floor.

This Dallas event is the second of four U.S. tour stops for MFV Expo in 2026, following the flagship 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, and those interested can find more information, including travel and lodging options, on the official event page at Franchise Expo Dallas.

The return of this expo to Texas comes at a time when entrepreneurial interest is at an all-time high, offering local residents a unique opportunity to explore the life-changing potential of franchise ownership.