Cotton Candy seeks franchisees for Colombian market entry

Cotton Candy is seeking partners to launch operations in Colombia. The international brand is in talks with several business groups and has an initial target of developing five shops, with the first opening planned for 2026. The announcement presents a potential opportunity for prospective franchise partners, although the project is still at the operator selection stage rather than an established network of trading outlets.

A five-shop plan still in development

According to a report published by Start Franchising on 3 November 2026, Moises Cohen, Cotton Candy’s chief executive and master franchisor for Latin America, confirmed that the company is assessing potential local partners to develop the brand in Colombia.

The initial target is to open five outlets. However, that ambition should be distinguished from the schedule for the first shop: the published information places the first opening in 2026 but does not state that all five shops will open that year.

At the time of the announcement, Cotton Candy had no shops open in the country. The talks with business groups therefore represent a preparatory step towards market entry, not confirmation that contracts have been awarded or outlets have opened.

For prospective partners, that distinction matters. Assessing a proposal before launch offers an opportunity to understand the project at an early stage, but it also requires a clear distinction between commercial targets and the commitments ultimately written into agreements.

Market entry through local partners

Cotton Candy’s stated strategy involves regional development through a master franchisor, with local operators participating through sub-franchise agreements. Cohen is identified as holding that master franchisor role for Latin America.

Under this model, expansion into Colombia depends on finding business partners capable of running local operations. The announcement is not, in itself, an open offer on standard terms to any investor: the company is assessing candidates and holding talks with interested groups.

Before proceeding, prospective partners should clarify who would grant the operating rights, what contractual relationship they would have with the master franchisor, and each party’s responsibilities. They should also ask whether the proposal covers a single shop or includes further development commitments.

These points need to be verified directly during negotiations. They should not be treated as settled simply because an overall target of five outlets has been announced for Colombia.

What is known about candidate requirements and investment

The search is aimed at candidates with strong financial resources and operational capabilities. This emphasis makes the ability to deliver the project an important selection criterion, beyond an interest in representing a brand that is new to the Colombian market.

The cost of opening a Cotton Candy franchise in Colombia had not been disclosed at the time of the announcement. It therefore provides no figure from which to establish the capital required or calculate an investment payback period.

To assess the proposal, a prospective franchisee should request an itemised budget and confirm what it covers. Shop fit-out, stock, opening expenses and working capital are all items worth reviewing, without assuming that the brand has specified costs or requirements for any of them.

The same caution applies to any sales or profitability forecasts. An expansion target does not, on its own, demonstrate how individual shops might perform.

How to prepare before applying

Interested parties can begin by compiling information on their financial capacity, operational experience and proposed management team. That preparation should be accompanied by a review of the commercial and contractual terms presented by the company.

It will also be important to monitor subsequent announcements. The selection of partners, the location of the first shop and confirmation of its opening will help prospective franchisees track the project’s progress from discussions to delivery.

Practical takeaway: before committing funds, request the official terms, verify the scope of the rights on offer and assess the full budget. The search for franchisees has been announced; specific commitments need to be documented.