The International Franchise Show returns to ExCeL London this week, and for anyone seriously considering franchising their business, or exploring franchise investment, it remains the single best day out on the UK calendar. Here is what to expect, why it is worth attending, and where to find us.
What is the International Franchise Show?
The International Franchise Show is the UK’s largest franchise exhibition, running annually at ExCeL London. This year’s event takes place on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 April 2026, with more than 250 exhibitors from 25 sectors, 60 seminars and panel sessions, and over 11,000 visitors expected across the two days.
It is the one event where franchisors, franchisees, consultants and investors all converge in the same building. Whether you are at the beginning of your franchise journey or looking to scale an existing network, the quality and density of conversations available at the IFS is hard to replicate anywhere else.
Why it matters if you are considering franchising your business
For business owners exploring whether franchising is the right growth route, the IFS offers something you cannot get from a website or a phone call — direct exposure to the full landscape. You can walk the floor, speak to existing franchisors about their experience, sit in on seminars covering everything from franchise documentation to recruitment strategy, and get a feel for where your business might sit within the broader market.
It is also a useful reality check. Seeing 250 franchise brands side by side gives you a clear sense of what serious franchisors look like, the quality of their branding, the confidence of their teams, and the standards prospective franchisees now expect before they invest. If you are thinking about franchising, spending a few hours at the IFS will sharpen your thinking considerably.
Why it matters if you are looking to invest in a franchise
For prospective franchisees, the show is one of the most efficient ways to spend a day. Rather than researching brands in isolation over several weeks, you can meet representatives from dozens of opportunities in person, ask the questions that matter, and begin to narrow your shortlist — all in a single visit.
The seminars are particularly valuable for first-time buyers. Topics typically cover how to evaluate a franchise agreement, what to look for in a disclosure document, how to assess territory viability, and how to approach financing. If you are new to franchising, arriving with a list of questions and attending two or three sessions will save you a significant amount of time and missteps.
What to look out for this year
The 2026 show includes a dedicated USA Pavilion featuring American franchise brands exploring UK expansion, which makes it a particularly interesting year for anyone curious about bringing an established international concept to the British market. There are also 1-2-1 advice sessions bookable in advance, if you have a specific question about franchising your business or evaluating an opportunity, these slots are worth securing before you arrive.
The show is free to attend. Doors open at 10am on both days, with Friday running until 5pm and Saturday until 4pm. ExCeL is straightforward to reach — Custom House station on the Elizabeth line and DLR is right outside the west entrance.
Come and find us — Stand 722
The Franchise Consultant will be at Stand 722 across both days. Our team will be on hand to have honest, straightforward conversations about franchising — whether you are a business owner weighing up your options, an existing franchisor looking at your next stage of growth, or someone considering franchise investment for the first time.
We are a bfa Advisor Member consultancy with over 100 years of combined team experience, and we work with business owners across every sector. We do not do hard sells or generic pitches, if franchising is not right for you at this point, we will tell you that too.
The show also marks a special occasion for Steve Lee, Managing Director of The Franchise Consultant, who will be launching his book Bought In at the event. Bought In is Steve’s guide to franchising your business, written for the business owner who wants to understand the process honestly, without the jargon or the sales pitch. If you would like a copy, come and find Steve at Stand 722, or visit boughtin.co.uk to find out more.
If you are planning to attend the International Franchise Show this week, we would be glad to see you. Come and find us at Stand 722, or if you would prefer to arrange a time in advance, book a discovery call and we can plan around your schedule at the show.
Steve Lee is Managing Director of The Franchise Consultant, a bfa Advisor Member franchise consultancy. He is the author of Bought In, a guide to buying and building a franchise business.