Eight Brazilian brands explore franchising in Spain

Eight Brazilian companies took part in a trade mission in Madrid on 19 and 20 October 2026 to explore establishing and expanding their businesses in Spain. Organised by the Spanish Franchise Association (AEF) in collaboration with the Brazilian Franchising Association (ABF), the initiative provided participating brands with legal, commercial and operational information about the Spanish market.

A mission to prepare for entry into Spain

The Brazilian Franchise Trade Mission to Spain aimed to assess development opportunities for brands interested in beginning their international expansion in the country. The event connected the visiting companies with institutional representatives and professionals from the franchising community.

The main session took place on 19 October at the Radisson RED Madrid hotel. Eduardo Abadía, Executive Director of the AEF, presented updated figures on franchising in Spain for 2026, providing a basis for understanding the commercial environment in which the companies might develop their projects.

The mission was preparatory in nature: to understand the market, identify resources and discuss the conditions for a potential launch. Participation in the event does not, in itself, mean that the brands have opened outlets or launched franchise networks in Spain. Its scope was limited to sharing knowledge and exploring expansion opportunities.

From trade mark protection to finding premises

The programme covered issues relevant to different stages of bringing a franchise to Spain. These included strategic development and setting up a business in a new market, alongside trade mark protection, intellectual property and the legal rules governing franchising.

These sessions brought legal and commercial preparation together within a single programme. For the visiting brands, the mission offered an opportunity to discuss both their expansion plans and questions relating to brand identity and Spain’s regulatory framework.

Operational topics included finding strategic locations, bank financing and support for recruitment. The role of specialist media in the entrepreneurial community was also discussed.

This mix of topics broadened the focus beyond presentations of the business concepts. The programme addressed practical questions about where to set up, how to finance a project and which resources to explore before starting operations. These sessions provided guidance for participating companies; they were not announcements of funding secured or premises already selected.

Institutional support for bilateral business ties

The Brazil–Spain Chamber of Commerce, Casa do Brasil and Madrid Network took part in the initiative, outlining ways to encourage commercial collaboration between the two countries. Their involvement added an institutional dimension to the sessions on business expansion.

The event also presented resources designed to help brands expand internationally, including investment opportunities managed through bodies such as Invest in Madrid.

For the franchising community, the value of the event lay in bringing together associations, support organisations and companies assessing a new market. Collaboration between the AEF and ABF enabled this exchange between Spain and Brazil, with the aim of helping participants understand the conditions for market entry.

The eight companies that presented their business models

The closing session featured the eight participating Brazilian companies: Total Clean, Maria Pitanga, Lave & Pegue, Jah Acai, Detroit Steakhouse, Corpo Bueno, Ambos Colchões and AM Integradora.

Each shared success stories and experience in its market. Rounding off the information sessions and institutional presentations, these talks offered first-hand insights into the companies’ business models and their leaders’ views on international growth.

Practical takeaway: anyone considering working with an international brand should distinguish between an interest in entering Spain and a clearly defined market-entry project. This mission’s agenda highlights issues to review before moving forward: trade mark protection, the legal framework, locations and financing.