Franchise and Industry Events Calendar, 2026-2027

Starting in September and continuing into the first half of next year, the franchise conference and event calendar will be in full swing. Organized primarily by the International Franchise Association, as well as Franchise Update Media, these events feature diverse agendas geared to a widespread audience in the franchise community.

We have compiled an extensive list of conferences, dates, and information about each over the coming year. Take a look at the list below and make plans now to attend valuable events to grow and optimize your franchise, individual portfolio, vendor business, or support the role of franchising throughout the country.


IFA Advocacy Summit

Date – September 14-16
Location – Washington, DC

Advocate for the future of franchising with policymakers and leaders. This meeting connects the franchising community with lawmakers to protect and advance the franchise business model. Attendees will learn the latest legislative and policy updates impacting franchising and then move to Capitol Hill, joining other members of the franchising community, to meet and discuss these issues with representatives in Congress. The IFA will set up the meetings and prep and guide attendees beforehand.

Note - This event is open to IFA and FAN Members only.

What’s in it for you? Learn the issues, meet with lawmakers, and help protect the future of franchising.

For more information and to register for the event, go HERE.


The IFA World Franchise Show

Date – September 25-26
Location – Fort Lauderdale, FL

The IFA World Franchise Show brings together the IFA’s expertise in franchising and Business Show Media’s world-class exhibition management experience to create an innovative, best-in-class franchise expo. It will deliver on the promise of connecting franchise brands with qualified prospects in a unique, curated, and personalized experience.

What’s in it for you? Connect with qualified franchise prospects through a curated, high-quality expo designed to generate meaningful conversations and accelerate franchise growth.

For more information and to register for the event, go HERE.


Franchise Leadership & Development Conference

Date – October 5-8
Location – Atlanta, GA

Focused on driving growth, the FLDC helps development professionals refine strategies, attract top franchisees, and enhance their recruitment processes. Join this exclusive event built for CEOs, presidents, franchise sales, and development executives who are looking for inspiration and guidance on growing their businesses, expanding their franchise locations, and leading their teams.

What's in it for you? Discover proven strategies to recruit more qualified franchisees, accelerate growth, and lead a stronger franchise development team.

For more information and to register for the conference, go HERE.


Restaurant Finance & Development Conference

Date – November 9-11
Location – Las Vegas, NV

The RFDC is the premier event for restaurant owners, operators, and financial executives focused on the business side of the industry. Attendees gain insights into capital markets and key topics such as finance, economics, accounting, valuation, strategy, and controls. The event offers opportunities to connect with lenders, investors, private equity firms, M&A specialists, real estate developers, and other financial partners to support financing transactions and new business opportunities.

What's in it for you? Gain practical financial insights and connect with lenders, investors, and industry leaders to help fund growth, improve performance, and identify new business opportunities.

For more information about the conference, go HERE.


Emerging Franchisor Conference

Date – November 16-18
Location – Nashville, TN

Join other franchise leaders and innovators to discover the latest way to take your franchise to the next level. Designed specifically for early-stage franchisors, this event offers strategies, resources, and peer connections to help build and scale a franchise brand. Hear from development experts, speak with operations gurus, and discover next-generation franchise opportunities. 

What's in it for you? Learn proven strategies, build valuable peer connections, and gain the tools you need to successfully launch, grow, and scale your franchise brand.

For more information and to register for the conference, go HERE.


IFA Scale Conference

Date – November 18-19
Location – Nashville, TN

SCALE by IFA, The Franchise Growth & Capital Summit, is a high-caliber event designed to connect franchise brands, capital sources, and strategic advisors in a focused, deal-ready environment. The SCALE acronym captures the event’s core intent: Strategy, Capital, Acquisition, Leadership and Expansion, which are the dimensions that define a franchise brand’s readiness to grow, partner, or transact. Unlike broad industry conferences, SCALE is purposely built for franchisors who are at a meaningful inflection point. It is for those seeking capital to accelerate growth, exploring partnership or platform opportunities, and preparing for or actively pursuing an exit.

What's in it for you? Connect with capital providers and strategic advisors, explore growth and acquisition opportunities, and prepare your franchise brand for its next stage of expansion.

For more information about the conference, go HERE.


IFA Annual Convention

Date – February 22-24, 2027
Location – Las Vegas, NV

The premier event in franchising brings together franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers to discuss industry trends, gain actionable insights, and celebrate franchise excellence. Explore every aspect of franchising, from business development ideas, strategies for personal growth, and unique opportunities for networking.  Attendees get franchise-focused education, community building, and support for their franchising journey all in one place.

What's in it for you? Gain practical insights, expand your network, and discover proven strategies to grow your franchise business alongside the industry's top leaders.

For more information about the convention, go HERE.


Multi-Unit Franchising Conference

Date – April 27-30, 2027
Location – Las Vegas, NV

The MUFC brings together top franchise professionals, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. This premier event is focused on networking, learning, and expansion opportunities for multi-unit and multi-brand franchisees. The conference delivers practical strategies for solving real-world challenges, improving operational efficiency, and leveraging the latest technology.

What's in it for you? Connect with successful multi-unit operators, discover practical solutions to everyday challenges, and find new strategies to grow your portfolio more efficiently.

For more information about the conference, go HERE.


International Franchise Show London

Date – April 16-17
Location – London, England

The IFA serves as the exclusive and title sponsor of the International Franchise Show London, expanding the association’s reach around the globe and bringing new franchise opportunities and education to the United Kingdom. Attendees can meet hundreds of the best franchise opportunities from around the world. The International Franchise Show is host to the UK’s biggest selection of the most exciting global franchise concepts and opportunities.

What's in it for you? Explore hundreds of franchise opportunities, gain valuable industry insights, and connect with global brands looking to expand in the UK and beyond.

For more information about the show, go HERE.


IFA Legal Symposium

Date – May 2-4, 2027
Location – Washington, DC

Join leading legal experts and franchising professionals to navigate the complex legal and regulatory landscape, ensuring compliance and minimizing risk. Experience practical, real-world programming that covers the latest business and franchise law developments. Attendees can connect with knowledgeable law practitioners and franchise executives while learning how to approach today’s legal landscape.

What's in it for you? Stay ahead of legal and regulatory changes, reduce risk, and gain practical guidance from leading franchise attorneys and industry experts.

For more information about the symposium, go HERE.


IBA/IFA Joint Conference

Date – May 4-5, 2027
Location – Washington, DC

Each year, IFA partners with the International Bar Association’s Franchising Committee to develop a program for some of the world’s leading practitioners and franchise legal counsel. Experienced legal counsel will share invaluable information regarding the latest developments in international law and their importance to franchising.

What's in it for you? Stay current on international franchise law, learn from leading legal experts, and gain practical insights to support your brand's global growth.

For more information about the conference, go HERE.


Franchise Growth & Marketing Conference

Date – June 15-17, 2027
Location – Atlanta, GA

The FGMC is an event for franchise marketing leaders with a clear focus on unit-level economics, collaborative learning, and leveraging technology to drive growth. The conference was created to help franchisors tackle today's biggest challenges, including rising customer acquisition costs, rapidly evolving AI, changing customer expectations, and growing pressure to prove unit-level ROI. It is designed for executives and teams responsible for turning brand strategy into unit-level revenue, stronger same-store sales, and greater franchisee profitability.

What's in it for you? Learn how to use marketing, AI, and technology to drive unit-level sales, improve franchisee profitability, and deliver measurable ROI.

For more information about the conference, go HERE.

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