IFS Franchise Exhibition opens at COEX on 22 October with new solo business zone

A franchise exhibition bringing together brands, kitchen equipment, payment systems and logistics solutions will take place at COEX in Seoul. The 61st IFS Exhibition, the autumn 2026 edition, runs from 22–24 October, combining franchise consultations with shop management solutions, a new solo business zone and expert advice. It is aimed not only at prospective business owners, but also at operators considering a change of business or ways to improve the efficiency of their existing premises.

Around 200 companies to exhibit brands and operational equipment

According to an announcement issued by the host association on 19 October, the three-day event will take place in Hall C at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul. Around 200 companies from South Korea and overseas will participate across 530 stands. Jointly organised by COEX and RX Korea, it is billed as Seoul’s last major business start-up exhibition of the year.

The exhibition combines areas for brands to introduce their businesses and recruit franchisees with displays of equipment, distribution services and operational solutions. Visitors can therefore look beyond business concepts to explore the kitchen equipment, payment systems and logistics arrangements needed to run an outlet.

This format caters for several needs within the franchise community. First-time prospective franchisees can compare brands and operating requirements, while owners considering a change of business can assess new concepts alongside the equipment they would need. Independent business owners looking to improve the efficiency of existing outlets are also among the intended visitors.

However, the size of an exhibition should not be confused with the suitability of any individual business opportunity. Rather than simply visiting as many stands as possible, it is more practical to prepare questions based on your budget and intended way of working. Cross-checking information from brand consultations with equipment and logistics providers can help you assess contractual terms separately from the practical preparations needed to operate.

It is also worth planning your route around your reasons for attending. New entrepreneurs might speak to brands first, then investigate the necessary equipment and systems. Existing operators could start by listing the problems in their current businesses and then seek relevant solutions. These are ways to prepare for a visit, not outcomes guaranteed by the event.

New solo business zone offers a chance to assess costs and workload

This year’s exhibition introduces a dedicated ‘Solo Business Zone’ for prospective owners concerned about initial investment and staffing costs. The addition provides a distinct space to explore one-person business opportunities alongside the franchise brand displays.

Visitors to the zone should consider not only start-up costs but also the scope of work they would need to handle alone. Useful questions include how opening and closing tasks, order processing, customer service and stock management are carried out. Whether extra staff are needed at particular times should also be checked for each business model.

The description ‘solo business’ should not be taken to mean that one person can perform every task at all times. The launch of the zone is a feature of the event, not evidence that the profitability or workload of each participating business model has been independently verified. Costs and operating requirements need to be assessed separately after speaking to the companies concerned.

With equipment, payment systems and logistics solutions also on display, visitors can follow up staffing questions with technology and equipment providers. For example, they can ask which tasks a system handles and which remain the owner’s responsibility after installation. Maintenance terms deserve attention as well as purchase prices.

When comparing start-up costs, check whether each company’s quotation covers the same items. Keep separate notes on brand-related charges and equipment costs, and ask again where it is unclear whether something is included. The aim is to understand the full set-up requirements rather than focus on a single low headline figure.

Expert consultations, business matching and guided tours

An ‘Expert Consulting Zone’ will offer advice on topics ranging from starting a business in South Korea to expanding into the United States. Visitors can also consult relevant organisations, including the Korea Fair Trade Mediation Agency and the Korea Workers’ Compensation & Welfare Service. This provides a place to raise specialist questions separately from brand presentations.

A business-matching programme will facilitate discussions between exhibitors, prospective business owners and members of the franchise community. Preparing a clear outline of the brands or operational solutions you are looking for can make these conversations more focused. For existing operators, a useful starting point is a specific explanation of the problem they want to solve.

Guided tours are also available for visitors taking their first steps towards business ownership. Participants will explore the exhibition with commentary from Lee Hong-gu, director of the Korea Start-up Trend Research Institute. Rather than navigating the venue alone, first-time visitors can learn about the displays as they go.

Each programme serves a different purpose. A guided tour can help visitors understand the exhibition’s layout and content; company consultations and business matching can clarify individual business terms; and the consulting zone and institutional advice services can help address specialist questions. Receiving advice does not, however, guarantee the terms of a particular contract or the success of a business.

After each consultation, it is useful to separate your notes into confirmed terms, points requiring further documentation and questions to put to another expert. These records can guide subsequent checks. If you plan to speak to several companies, using the same list of questions will make their answers easier to compare.

Doors open at 10am; advance registration closes at midnight on 21 October

The exhibition is open from 10am to 5pm each day. Admission on the door costs KRW 15,000, reduced to KRW 5,000 for visitors who complete advance registration on the official website by midnight on 21 October. Check the registration deadline as well as your intended visiting date.

The event is designed to bring brand discovery, equipment comparisons and expert consultations together in one place. Before attending, identify your main priority and narrow down the questions you need answered. Allocating time to relevant discussions is likely to be more useful than rushing around every stand.

Practical preparation can be straightforward. Prospective owners should note their investment budget and the hours they can personally work, while existing operators should list the tasks they want to improve and the difficulties they currently face. Use the event to clarify terms, then compare your consultation notes and supporting documents before making a decision.