Franchise training: autumn 2026 dates

Franchisee management, protecting know-how and understanding contracts: the German Franchise Association’s events calendar brings together several training and networking opportunities for October and November 2026. The focus is on practical aspects of running a franchise network in Germany. Alongside seminars run by the German Franchise Institute, numerous online events are planned, although some are explicitly reserved for members.

October: protecting know-how and supporting franchisees

The first of the selected October events is an online strategy workshop for new members on 6 October 2026. The following day, 7 October, features a round table on ‘Protecting Know-how’. The association describes protecting network-specific knowledge as a key issue for successful franchise networks. The webinar is listed as exclusively for members.

Another online information session is scheduled for 8 October. Its title is ‘Spotlight: No Franchisee Has Time for AI and Marketing. Yet the Network Can Still Benefit.’ This event is also for members only. Its stated focus links two topics with a practical question about resources: how can a franchise network make use of AI and marketing when franchisees lack the time? The available calendar entry does not specify which approaches will be presented.

An in-person event follows on 12 and 13 October in Munich. Under the title ‘Boost your Franchise!’, the German Franchise Institute is running a seminar on franchisee management. While the preceding events address individual issues, this seminar explicitly focuses on supporting franchisees.

When planning your training, it is therefore worth making a clear distinction: is your current priority protecting know-how, using digital tools or working with franchisees? The titles offer an initial guide, but are no substitute for checking each seminar’s programme.

Certificate course starts on 19 October

A longer training programme begins on 19 October 2026. The calendar lists ‘Franchise Manager IHK 2026/2027’ as an online course run by the German Franchise Institute. It is scheduled to run until 17 March 2027 and is described as an IHK certificate course for franchise managers, available nationwide. IHK refers to Germany’s chambers of commerce and industry.

The duration alone sets this course apart from the one- or two-day events in the autumn programme. Anyone considering taking part should factor the full period, not just the start date, into staffing and workload plans. The available calendar details do not specify individual teaching dates, fees or entry requirements.

Two further association networking events follow immediately after the course begins. An online ‘Coffee Break’ on ‘Communication and Leadership’ is scheduled for 20 October. On 21 October, an online round table will cover ‘Franchisee Recruitment / Changes in Lead Generation’. Both entries are marked as members-only.

These events address distinct responsibilities: communication within a franchise network and recruiting new franchisees. For those responsible, they offer an opportunity to identify training needs more precisely. However, the announcements do not indicate which methods or practical examples will be covered at either event.

November: contract fundamentals and finance

The programme continues in November with legal and financial topics. On 17 and 18 November 2026, the German Franchise Institute is offering an introductory seminar on the structure and content of a typical franchise agreement. The calendar gives the location and format as ‘Wuppertal & online’.

The announcement explicitly focuses on the fundamentals. Before booking, prospective participants should clarify how in-person and online attendance will be organised. The available entry does not provide a detailed schedule or specify any prerequisites.

On 19 November, the Franchise Association will hold an online round table on ‘Finance’. This webinar is exclusively for members. The available calendar does not give further details of the financing topics to be discussed.

The November calendar also includes meetings of association committees. The Legal Committee meets in Munich on 11 November, while the Digitalisation and Innovation Committee, ‘Digitank’, meets online on 13 November. Both are described as regular meetings to discuss the current agenda and are listed as members-only.

Plan your participation carefully

This overview is based on the German Franchise Association’s events calendar as checked on 24 September 2026. When planning, it is important to distinguish between seminars, webinars, information sessions and committee meetings. Check whether an event is marked ‘exclusively for members’ or ‘members-only’ before registering. Even where no such restriction is shown, it is worth confirming the specific participation requirements.

Practical tip: Start by identifying the most pressing issue in your day-to-day franchise operations. Then check eligibility, programme content, costs and time commitments for the relevant event before setting aside staff time.