FIS2026 puts balanced franchise growth in the spotlight

Finance and the experiences of franchise operators shaped the second day of the Franchise Innovation Summit (FIS2026). According to a report published by Emprendedores on 1 October 2026, the event combined business opportunities and talks with a focus on balanced growth for franchise networks. For Spain’s franchise community, the day provided a forum to compare opportunities and explore different perspectives before starting a business or expanding a network.

Finance at the heart of growth

With BBVA as the main sponsor, the second day opened with a conversation between Lucía Frías, the bank’s Director of Specialist SME Business, and Ana I. García, Editor-in-Chief of Restauración News. The talk, entitled Growing sustainably: the financial keys to expanding a restaurant chain, focused the discussion on a specific question: how to approach expansion from a financial perspective.

Topics included the factors franchisees should consider when applying for finance. The report does not set out loan terms or specific requirements, so the discussion should be understood as part of the event’s general guidance rather than an announcement of a new financial product.

“We support franchises and work very closely with the ecosystem, as it is a very important part of the economy,” Frías said during the conversation. Her contribution brought a banking perspective to a day that also made room for franchisees’ experiences and the opportunities offered by participating brands.

Franchisees have their say

The programme in the main auditorium began with Franchisee Day: Stories from the people behind franchise success, moderated by Alejandra Zamorano de Castro, Key Account Manager at FIS. The session focused on those involved in the day-to-day running of franchise networks, complementing the presentation of business opportunities.

This mix of voices was one of the most useful features of the programme described by Emprendedores. Hearing from a financial institution alongside franchisees allows prospective operators to consider the same business decision from different angles: securing funding and understanding what it is like to operate under a brand.

For anyone considering joining the franchise community, it is worth distinguishing between the value of someone else’s account and the assessment of their own project. An experience shared during a panel discussion can help frame questions, but it is no substitute for examining the terms of a specific opportunity. Its practical value lies in taking those questions into subsequent discussions with each brand.

Neighbourhood food retail and hospitality represented

The range of brands on show also played a prominent role. The report highlights the presence of food retailers Eroski, Dia, Covirán and Carrefour Express. In its account of the event, Emprendedores identifies franchising and neighbourhood retailing as drivers of growth for these brands.

Their presence placed local food retail within the day’s broader discussion. Based on the information available, this was a showcase of the opportunities represented at FIS, rather than a series of announcements about specific store openings.

Hospitality was also represented by established groups and brands, including Grupo La Famiglia, Saona, Papa John’s, Alsea and Foodbox, alongside emerging concepts. Discussions about finance and expansion therefore took place against a backdrop of opportunities spanning both food retail and foodservice, rather than focusing on a single sector.

From networking to an informed decision

The second day of FIS2026 reinforced the event’s role as a meeting point for exploring opportunities, sharing trends and building a community. Its value lay not only in bringing brands together, but also in addressing the resources needed for growth and the experiences of those working within franchise networks.

The practical takeaway for prospective franchisees is to make use of these different perspectives without mistaking general information for guarantees about a particular business. Before proceeding, it is advisable to request documentation on the opportunity, check funding requirements and speak to existing franchisees in the network. The event can be a starting point; the decision requires independent due diligence.