Franchise NEXT 2026 in Cologne: More than 70 Exhibitors Announced

Franchise NEXT will take place on 15 and 16 October 2026 at Koelnmesse’s CONFEX venue in Cologne, Germany. According to a report published by für-gründer.de on 23 September, more than 70 exhibitors have been announced. Alongside opportunities to explore franchise brands, the programme includes talks, panel discussions, first-hand accounts and face-to-face conversations. For prospective business owners, the event offers an opportunity to compare different concepts in a focused way.

Dates, admission and venue

The venue is listed as CONFEX at Koelnmesse. Published opening hours are 10am to 6pm. According to the report, standard admission costs €30, while the code “2010” mentioned in the report allows free entry. Anyone wishing to use it should check how to redeem the code when registering.

The figure of more than 70 exhibitors reflects the announced line-up, rather than a final, verified attendance figure. This distinction matters when planning a visit: anyone hoping to meet a particular franchise brand should confirm its participation beforehand and, where possible, arrange a meeting.

The event covers a range of concepts and sectors. However, the report does not provide a full exhibitor list or a detailed breakdown by business sector. The total number alone therefore gives no indication of how many opportunities will suit an individual visitor’s business plans.

Programme combines franchise concepts and shared experience

The announced programme offers several ways to explore franchising: visitors can get to know franchise brands, attend talks, follow panel discussions and hear first-hand accounts. There will also be networking opportunities. The event therefore goes beyond presentations of individual business models.

When preparing for a visit, it is worth considering how to make the most of each format. Direct conversations provide an opportunity to raise questions about a specific concept. Talks and discussions can help put broader issues into context. When listening to first-hand accounts, pay particular attention to the day-to-day work described and the circumstances in which the business was set up.

The report does not name the speakers or provide a timetable of topics. Visitors should therefore plan their day around the published programme as it becomes available. It is also sensible to leave enough time between scheduled appointments for follow-up questions and notes, rather than collecting as many contacts as possible without time to assess them afterwards.

Compare franchise brands using a consistent set of questions

With more than 70 exhibitors announced, drawing up a shortlist is advisable. Before attending, prospective franchisees should identify which sectors, locations and personal roles would suit them. A realistic assessment of available personal capital and overall financial resources is equally useful. This is advice on preparing for the visit, not a statement about the requirements of any individual exhibiting franchise.

Using a consistent set of questions at each stand makes it easier to compare answers afterwards. Important points for an initial assessment include:

• What investment and ongoing fees are required?
• What specific support and services does the franchisor provide?
• Which day-to-day operational responsibilities remain with the franchisee?
• What are the requirements regarding location, experience and personal commitment?
• What documents are available for a more detailed review?

When discussing financial figures, visitors should ask how they have been calculated. Do they represent results from existing businesses, projections or an illustrative example? It is also important to establish which costs are included. Figures can only be meaningfully compared once the underlying assumptions are clear.

First-hand accounts also need to be considered in context. Ask about the starting circumstances being described and how closely they match your own plans. A positive personal impression should prompt further investigation, not replace it.

In-depth assessment begins after the exhibition

As outlined in the announced plans, Franchise NEXT offers opportunities to explore the market and make contacts. However, neither the size of the event nor a single conversation can establish whether a viable partnership will result. Prospective franchisees should therefore set clear next steps: request documents, record outstanding questions in writing and systematically compare the information gathered from different conversations.

Before making a commitment, have the financial assumptions and contract documents independently reviewed. This also means avoiding an assessment of your capital requirements based solely on an initial presentation. The more clearly you can describe your own circumstances, the more focused your follow-up discussions can be.

Practical takeaway: If you are travelling to Cologne on 15 or 16 October, arrive with a shortlist and specific questions. The aim is not to make a quick commitment at an exhibition stand, but to build a sound basis for the next stage of due diligence.