Franchising Belgium Day attracts around sixty exhibitors

Franchising Belgium Day held its largest event in ten years in Wavre, Belgium, on 6 October 2026. With around sixty exhibitors and strong interest from prospective franchisees, the show offered a broad overview of the Belgian franchise sector. Reports on the event particularly highlighted visitors with firm plans to start a business. For them, the focus now shifts from initial introductions to careful comparison.

Largest event in ten years

According to Franchising Belgium’s review, the event brought together around sixty exhibitors, making it the largest show in ten years. The organisers also reported strong attendance and a notably high number of visitors seriously considering becoming franchisees. An analysis published by Start Franchising on 9 October likewise highlighted increased interest from both exhibitors and prospective business owners.

That combination makes the show relevant to Belgium’s franchise sector: networks looking to showcase their businesses meet people considering working for themselves. Above all, the event provides a snapshot of interest in franchising. A busy exhibition is not the same as a tally of new businesses or signed agreements.

The significance of this edition therefore lies mainly in the breadth of opportunities on offer and the reportedly focused nature of the discussions. For prospective franchisees, it provides a starting point for further contact, not an automatic reason to sign sooner.

A wide range of concepts in one place

Exhibitors represented a variety of sectors: food retail, hospitality, services, fashion, home interiors and specialist retail. Restaurant and fast-food concepts, beauty and wellbeing, and construction and DIY were also well represented. Visitors could therefore explore very different franchise concepts in a single day.

That breadth is useful for anyone who has yet to make a final choice. A prospective franchisee may be drawn to a brand, but must also assess whether the day-to-day work suits their experience and expectations. Running a restaurant calls for a different personal assessment from starting a service business or a specialist shop.

The practical value of a show like this is therefore not just about discovering new names. Seeing different concepts side by side helps visitors refine their search. Which type of business appeals to them? What role do they want to take on themselves? And what support do they expect from a franchisor? These are useful questions for a follow-up discussion.

Interest is not a measure of market growth

The published reviews describe an increase in the number of exhibitors and prospective franchisees. This is a positive sign of the event’s appeal. It is not, however, enough to establish a growth rate for the Belgian franchise sector as a whole.

The description of visitors as serious candidates also needs to be read carefully. It points to focused interest, but does not in itself indicate how many of those visitors will eventually open a business. Between an initial conversation and actually launching, there are still decisions to make about the franchise concept, location and agreement, among other things.

Prospective business owners should therefore treat the show as an opportunity to compare options. During follow-up discussions, ask for written information and check the expectations set during the initial meeting against the documents. An appealing presentation may be a reason to investigate further; it is no substitute for your own assessment of the business relationship.

After the show comes the preparation

The statutory disclosure requirement plays an important role in these next steps. As Start Franchising’s analysis explains, a prospective franchisee is entitled to receive a pre-contractual information document before signing. This must be provided together with the draft agreement at least one month before signature.

That period underlines the distinction between an initial introduction and entering into a contract. Use the preparation time to gather your questions, compare documents and seek clarification on any unclear terms. The enthusiasm generated by a visit to the show need not fade, but it should be backed by a sound business assessment.

For those planning a longer preparation period, the next national event is already in the diary: 5 October 2027 at De Montil in Affligem, Belgium. Practical takeaway: after Wavre, draw up a shortlist of suitable franchise concepts, arrange focused follow-up discussions and assess the written information before making a commitment.