International Franchise Expo Returns to NYC May 29-31

Franchise News: International Franchise Expo Returns to NYC May 29-31
Mary Vinnedge

MFV Expositions Hosts New York Franchise Show With 200 Brands and Expert Educational Events

The International Franchise Expo (IFE) will welcome attendees from more than 60 countries and 200-plus brands to New York City. The franchise show, which is organized by MFV Expositions and Comexposium, will be held May 29-31 in the Javits Convention Center. IFE is MFV’s only three-day trade show. 

In a news release about the May show, Martin Joksimovic, president of MFV Expositions, stated that the goal of his company’s events is to help entrepreneurs and investors explore franchising. “New York City has always been a primary gateway for global trade and commerce,” Joksimovic said, “making this event a premier opportunity for attendees interested in exploring business ownership as well as franchisors looking to expand their global reach.” 

NYC Franchise Show

Diverse industries such as fitness, home services, restaurants, health care and automotive brands – from an array of price points – will be represented at IFE. Denny’s, The Joint, Kiddie Academy, Nathan’s Famous, PuroClean and TruGolf Links rank among the higher-profile brands that have signed up.

The U.S. Commerce Department has extended its Trade Event Partnership Program (TEPP) status to the International Franchise Expo so that international attendees — including investment groups and foreign delegations – may engage in one-on-one networking opportunities with brand leaders. These meetings enable franchise brands to develop partnerships that lead to sales of U.S.-based goods and services. 

Education at IFE

Before the doors open at 10 a.m. Friday, May 30, the International Franchise Expo has scheduled Morning Masterminds, a networking session sponsored by Alliott Global Alliance. Morning Masterminds consists of informal roundtable discussions that revolve around marketing, finance, legal issues and business development within franchising. Morning Masterminds is open only to franchisor representatives, who must RSVP in advance. 

Speakers at IFE include John Hayes, the Titus Chair for Franchise Leadership at Palm Beach Atlantic University; Andre Kay, founder and CEO of Sociallybuzz; Eric Stites, founder and CEO of Franchise Business Review; and Man Li- Kuo Lin, economic development specialist at the Small Business Administration. 

They will be among speakers and panelists on topics such as: 

  • Insights on different business models within franchising.
  • How to review a franchise disclosure document.
  • Realistic expectations for income and revenue.
  • How to franchise a business concept that you’ve developed.
  • What franchise ownership is really like.  

On the Trade Show Floor

The trade show is laid out with these designated areas:

  • Emerging Brands Pavilion, a bustling area set aside for franchises that typically have 10 or fewer locations. 
  • Business Resource Center, where attendees can visit with business contacts that cater exclusively to franchising.
  • IFE Unplugged, where the Social Geek Radio team conducts podcast interviews with influential franchising executives.

IFE Registration

Registration for the International Franchise Expo in Manhattan is available here, with free admission for those who enter the promo code NYC2025. To learn about exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, click here

The International Franchise Expo follows a smaller expo that was held in April in Charlotte, MFV Expositions’ first trade show in the North Carolina city. MFV also will hold trade shows Sept. 5-6 in Los Angeles and Nov. 14-15 in Austin, Texas. 

MFV Expositions and Comexposium

MFV Expositions is part of France-based Comexposium, which annually holds more than 130 global B2B and B2C events in over 30 countries. These events host some 3.5 million visitors and 48,000 exhibitors each year. Based in New Jersey, MFV Expositions puts on franchising trade shows in both the United States and abroad. Franchising represents a growing segment of the U.S. economy; it posted more growth than anticipated last year.

The International Franchise Association’s Economic Outlook Report for 2025 has projected that the number of franchise establishments will increase by 20,000-plus units – a 2.5% increase – for a total of 851,000 units. Franchising will add about 210,000 U.S. jobs, a growth rate of 2.4% this year, which will push the nation’s franchising employment to more than 9 million jobs, according to the February 2025 Economic Outlook Report.

© Copyright FranchiseWire 2026
Mary Vinnedge

Mary Vinnedge

Mary Vinnedge is an award-winning journalist who has served as editor in chief, managing editor and senior editor at national and regional publications, including SUCCESS and Design NJ magazines. She also held reporting and editing roles at The Dallas Morning News and Charlotte Observer newspapers.

Before Mary began covering franchise news and trends as a staff writer for FranchiseWire and Franchise Consultant Magazine, she developed articles on topics ranging from lifestyle, education, health and science to home projects, horticulture, gardening, interior design and architecture. These articles included her reporting on academic news at her alma mater, Texas A&M University, when Mary worked in the marketing department of the Texas A&M Foundation. She continues to be a news junkie and subscribes to several publications.

Today Mary and her husband are empty nesters living on Galveston Island near Houston. The couple’s blended family – scattered around the United States – includes five children, five grandchildren and two very spoiled, very barky miniature schnauzer rescues.

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