Franchise exhibitions are where franchisors meet prospective franchisees face to face, and where suppliers to the franchise sector meet both. The UK has a small, well-established calendar. In 2027 there are three main franchise exhibitions, two London shows and one in Birmingham, plus two conferences for existing franchisees held alongside them. This guide lists the UK franchise exhibitions confirmed for 2027 with their dates, venues and official websites, explains who each one suits, and covers how franchisors and suppliers can plan for them. Our franchise shows calendar keeps every event up to date.
UK franchise exhibitions and conferences in 2027
| Event | Dates | Venue | Official website |
|---|---|---|---|
| The British & International Franchise Exhibition | 29 and 30 January 2027 | Olympia, London | franchiseinfo.co.uk (The Franchise Exhibitions) |
| The Franchisee Network Conference | 29 January 2027 | Olympia, London | franchiseinfo.co.uk |
| The International Franchise Show | 16 and 17 April 2027 | Excel London | thefranchiseshow.co.uk |
| The National Franchise Exhibition | 1 and 2 October 2027 | The NEC, Birmingham | franchiseinfo.co.uk (The Franchise Exhibitions) |
| Multi-unit Franchise Conference | 1 October 2027 | NEC, Birmingham | franchiseinfo.co.uk |
The British & International Franchise Exhibition, January 2027
The first franchise exhibition of 2027 is The British & International Franchise Exhibition at Olympia, London, on 29 and 30 January 2027. It is one of The Franchise Exhibitions, which the organiser describes as the only franchise exhibitions supported by the British Franchise Association (BFA), and 2027 marks 35 years of the series. The organiser promises 100+ franchise brands with investment levels starting below £10,000, 50+ free presentations and workshops, BFA franchising seminars with lawyers, finance experts and consultants, and one-to-one advice. Tickets are free.
The Franchisee Network Conference runs on the first day, 29 January, for existing franchisees who want to grow: talks from established franchisees and advisers, networking over a complimentary lunch, and time to walk the exhibition afterwards.
The International Franchise Show, April 2027
The International Franchise Show is at Excel London on 16 and 17 April 2027. Its organiser says visitors get free access to more than 250 exhibitors, 60 seminars, one-to-one advice and expert guidance, with 50+ international brands and around 11,000 visitors. With its international mix of brands, it suits UK franchisors who want to see overseas concepts arriving in the market, and suppliers who work with brands entering the UK.
The National Franchise Exhibition, October 2027
The National Franchise Exhibition returns to the NEC, Birmingham, on 1 and 2 October 2027, exclusively supported by the BFA. The organiser calls it the UK’s flagship franchise event, with more than 100 franchise brands, suppliers and advisers, 50+ free talks and one-to-one expert advice. Its talks are aimed both at people looking to invest in a franchise and at business owners considering franchising their business, which makes it a natural one for new franchisors. Registration of interest was open when we checked.
The Multi-unit Franchise Conference runs alongside it on 1 October 2027, for franchisees who want to grow from one unit to several, with a free delegate pass.
BFA events still to come in 2026
The BFA’s own Annual Conference and the BFA HSBC UK British Franchise Awards both take place on 12 November 2026 at Telford International Centre. The BFA had not published 2027 dates when we checked, and we will add them to the shows calendar once it does.
Which franchise exhibition suits you?
- Franchisors recruiting franchisees: any of the three exhibitions. The organisers’ visitor descriptions are about prospective franchisees and entrepreneurs, so your stand is a recruitment channel. Many brands exhibit at more than one.
- Businesses thinking about franchising: visit before you exhibit. The National Franchise Exhibition and the British & International Franchise Exhibition both run BFA franchising seminars and one-to-one advice, and our guide on how to franchise your business covers the steps.
- Existing franchisees: the Franchisee Network Conference in January and the Multi-unit Franchise Conference in October.
- Suppliers to franchisors: the National Franchise Exhibition lists suppliers and advisers among its exhibitors. Many franchise suppliers also go to visit, because the brands that will need solicitors, recruitment help, software and fit-out are all in one hall.
Planning your 2027 franchise exhibition
A stand is a recruitment cost like any other, so decide what a good result looks like before you book: how many qualified conversations, how many discovery days booked afterwards. Bring a prospectus and a clear outline of investment levels, because visitors at these shows are comparing brands side by side. Above all, follow up quickly. The weeks after a show are when most of the value is won or lost.
If you need help with the stand, the prospectus or the follow-up, our directory lists franchisee recruitment specialists, franchise marketing agencies, print suppliers and lead generation firms that work with franchisors.
Sources
- The British & International Franchise Exhibition (The Franchise Exhibitions, franchiseinfo.co.uk)
- The Franchisee Network Conference (franchiseinfo.co.uk)
- The International Franchise Show (thefranchiseshow.co.uk)
- The National Franchise Exhibition (The Franchise Exhibitions, franchiseinfo.co.uk)
- Multi-unit Franchise Conference (franchiseinfo.co.uk)
- BFA HSBC UK British Franchise Awards (British Franchise Association)
