--- title: The International Franchise Show Returns as Franchising Moves Beyond Fast Food and Retail description: The International Franchise Show returns to ExCeL London on 17-18 April 2026 with 250+ brands. Personal services now dominate UK franchising as retail declines. author: Darie Nani (Editor-in-Chief) date: 2026-01-30T20:23:36.000Z updated: 2026-04-01T22:25:00.520Z canonical: https://www.sovereignmagazine.com/article/the-international-franchise-show-returns-as-franchising-moves-beyond-fast-food-and-retail image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/filters_no_upscale-2.webp categories: Networking content_type: Spotlight region: London publication: Sovereign Magazine about: - type: Event name: International Franchise Show 2026 description: The International Franchise Show 2026 is the UK's largest franchise exhibition, bringing together over 250 exhibitors, 60 speakers, and 50 international brands at ExCeL London. Thousands of entrepreneurs and business owners get free access to seminars, one-to-one advice, interactive features, and expert guidance on franchise opportunities. url: https://www.thefranchiseshow.co.uk/?utm_source=PARTNERsovereignmagazine startDate: 2026-04-17T09:00:00.000Z endDate: 2026-04-18T17:00:00.000Z --- The [International Franchise Show](#about-international-franchise-show) returns to ExCeL London on 17-18 April. The franchise market it represents has changed: care, children’s activities and wellness now dominate where retail and food service once led. Mention franchising and most people picture a McDonald’s or a Subway. That image is outdated. Personal services (elderly care, tutoring, fitness, pet services) now make up half of all UK franchise systems. Retail franchises have declined. The franchise you might actually want to run in 2026 probably involves visiting people’s homes or running activity sessions, not standing behind a counter. This matters because the appeal of franchising (a tested business model, training, brand recognition, support when things go wrong) now applies to sectors that did not exist in franchise form 15 years ago. A former teacher can run a children’s coding franchise. A nurse can operate a home care business with a national brand behind them. A redundant middle manager can run a dog grooming territory. IFS2026 puts over 250 of these brands in one place. Attendees can compare [investment levels](https://www.sovereignmagazine.com/article/is-a-franchise-investment-worth-it-right-now) directly: a care franchise might require £30,000 while a food operation needs £250,000. More usefully, they can talk to [existing franchisees about what the first year actually looked like](https://www.sovereignmagazine.com/article/the-questions-that-lead-to-better-franchise-decisions), whether the franchisor delivered on their promises and whether they would make the same choice again. ## What to do at the show The value is in the conversations, not the brochures. Franchisors will present their best numbers. Franchisees will tell you what those numbers looked like in practice. Questions worth asking: What did your first year actually cost, including the expenses the franchisor did not mention upfront? How long until you broke even? What happens when you have a problem with the franchisor? Would you do it again? The event runs seminars on financing (most high street banks have dedicated franchise lending teams), legal considerations (franchise agreements are largely non-negotiable, unlike typical commercial contracts) and sector-specific sessions. These are useful for context but the real work happens at the stands. ### Event: International Franchise Show 2026 17 April 2026 – 18 April 2026 In-person Venue: ExCeL London, London, United Kingdom Organized by: International Franchise Show The International Franchise Show 2026 is the UK's largest franchise exhibition, bringing together over 250 exhibitors, 60 speakers, and 50 international brands at ExCeL London. Thousands of entrepreneurs and business owners get free access to seminars, one-to-one advice, interactive features, and expert guidance on franchise opportunities. [Event website](https://www.thefranchiseshow.co.uk/?utm_source=PARTNERsovereignmagazine) ## Further Context **Q: Is the franchise expo worth it?** Yes, if you use it correctly. The value is in speaking directly to existing franchisees, not franchisors. Ask what the first year actually cost, how long until break-even, and whether they would do it again. Two days at a franchise show can replace months of individual enquiries. **Q: How much does it cost to buy a franchise in the UK?** It varies enormously. A home-based consultancy might start at £10,000. A care franchise typically requires £30,000-50,000. A food service operation can exceed £250,000. The International Franchise Show allows direct comparison across investment levels. **Q: What is the fastest growing franchise sector in the UK?** Personal services grew 53% since 2018 and now account for half of all UK franchise systems. This includes elderly care, children’s activities, fitness, pet services and home maintenance. Retail declined 25%, vehicle and transport fell 34%. **Q: Are franchises a good investment in the UK?** The British Franchise Association reports a 0.5% commercial failure rate and 89% profitability. Independent academic research suggests franchises survive at modestly higher rates than independent businesses (six to eight percentage points in the first two years) but the gap narrows over time. **Q: How much does a franchise owner make in the UK?** Average turnover per franchise unit is £400,000, according to the British Franchise Association. Individual earnings depend on sector, territory and how long the franchise has operated. Units running five years or more report higher profitability than newer operations. **Q: Can I buy an existing franchise instead of starting new?** Yes. 65% of franchisors expect at least one unit to be offered for resale in the coming year as early franchise owners retire or exit. Resales come with trading history and sometimes existing staff, but also inherited problems. Due diligence matters.