Warsaw Franchise Fair 2026: programme and ticket prices

The 24th Warsaw Franchise Fair will take place on 22 and 23 October 2026 at the Palace of Culture and Science. For entrepreneurs from Croatia considering entering the franchise sector or expanding their business, the event offers an opportunity to explore concepts from Poland and abroad. However, the published announcement does not confirm whether Croatian exhibitors will attend or whether any particular franchises are available for the Croatian market.

Two days of discussions with franchisors

According to an announcement published by Franchising.rs on 24 September, the fair will bring together representatives of brands actively seeking new franchise partners. It is aimed at entrepreneurs, investors and business owners, including those planning to start their first business.

A wide range of sectors has been announced: hospitality, food retail, tools and home equipment retail, fashion, interiors, cosmetics, education, beauty, fitness, finance and property. This breadth allows visitors to discuss different business models in one place, rather than narrowing their search to a single type of opportunity from the outset.

For visitors interested in Croatia, it is important to distinguish between a concept being presented at an international fair and a specific franchise opportunity being available in Croatia. The supplied announcement does not set out individual brands’ territorial expansion plans or requirements. The first question to a potential partner should therefore be whether they are considering the Croatian market at all, and what type of partnership they are seeking.

The announcement also gives no details of individual exhibitors’ investment requirements, fees or contract terms. These should be requested directly from the franchisor, along with documentation that allows visitors to check the information and compare offers afterwards.

Seminars and a new Entrepreneurship Gala

Alongside the exhibition, seminars are planned at which business leaders, experienced entrepreneurs and franchise specialists will discuss starting and growing a business. A standard ticket includes access to both the exhibition and the seminars, so the educational programme is not restricted to VIP ticket holders.

New to this year’s event is the Entrepreneurship Gala, designed for networking. Admission is included in the VIP ticket. According to the announcement, the gala is intended to provide an opportunity to meet potential partners and establish business contacts in a professional but more relaxed setting.

The published announcement does not name the speakers or provide a detailed seminar timetable. When planning a visit, it is therefore worth distinguishing confirmed features from details that still need checking. The choice of ticket primarily depends on whether visitors want to meet exhibitors and attend seminars, or also take part in the additional networking event.

Members of Croatia’s franchise community may find it useful to prepare a short summary of their experience, available resources and areas of interest in advance. This can help focus discussions on a potential partnership rather than simply a general introduction to the brand.

Venue, opening hours and prices

The fair will take place at Plac Defilad 1 in Warsaw. The main entrance is on the eastern side of the Palace of Culture and Science, approached from Aleja Marszałkowska. The exhibition will be open from 10am to 4pm on both days.

The following prices and purchasing options have been announced:

• Standard ticket: PLN 80, including access to the exhibition and seminars.
• VIP ticket: PLN 400, including admission to the Entrepreneurship Gala.
• Advance booking discount: 50 per cent on both ticket types.
• Tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket office before entering the fair.

The announcement does not specify when the advance booking offer ends. Entrepreneurs planning to travel from Croatia should check the current purchasing terms, availability of their chosen ticket and the schedule of events that interest them before booking transport and accommodation.

Polish figures provide context, not a guarantee for Croatia

The event announcement also includes figures on the size of Poland’s franchise sector: more than 1,300 franchise concepts, over 90,000 franchisees and more than 500,000 employees. These figures describe the market in which the fair takes place; they are not indicators of the Croatian market.

According to statements by the organisers quoted in the same article, around 80 per cent of franchise businesses in Poland operate profitably over the term of their contracts. The supplied source does not explain the methodology behind this figure, so it should not be interpreted as a forecast of any individual investment’s success or a guarantee of results in Croatia.

Practical takeaway: use the fair to gather information you can compare. Before committing to a partnership, request confirmation that the Croatian territory is available, a full breakdown of investment costs and fees, and a written description of the support the franchisor provides to its partners.