Simple Mart and OKmart to make joint debut at Taiwan franchise exhibition with no franchise fee offer

Simple Mart and OKmart will exhibit jointly for the first time at the World Franchise Exhibition, taking place from 2 to 5 October 2026 at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Centre, Hall 2. The two brands are recruiting franchisees with a ‘no franchise fee’ offer and incentives in selected areas, giving prospective operators in Taiwan further retail options to consider.

Two brands presenting their franchise models together

According to reports published by Next Apple News and SET iNEWS on 23 September, operator Mercuries & Associates Holding hopes the joint appearance will help prospective business owners understand different retail formats and assess franchise options against their circumstances and business plans.

Both brands’ franchise teams will be on site to explain eligibility requirements, the store-opening process and day-to-day operating models, with face-to-face consultations available. For prospective franchisees, meeting both brands at the same event offers a chance to compare the resources available and operational demands. However, exhibiting together does not mean their contracts or operating terms are identical.

Incentives beyond the franchise fee waiver come with restrictions

The announced package includes no franchise fee, with a business start-up incentive of up to NT$240,000 in selected areas and an NT$30,000 bonus for taking over a store early. Mercuries & Associates Holding says the aim is to reduce the initial financial pressure on franchisees while accelerating recruitment and store expansion.

However, existing reports do not specify the eligible areas, payment schedules or full eligibility criteria. Nor do they confirm whether the offers can be combined. The maximum incentive will not necessarily be available to every applicant, so prospective franchisees should request the terms in writing.

Equally, ‘no franchise fee’ does not mean that opening a store requires no investment. Applicants should separately check whether they must fund deposits, equipment, stock, staffing and working capital, rather than basing their decision on the franchise fee alone.

Franchise recruitment supports store network plans

Mercuries & Associates Holding says it has continued to expand its franchise network in recent years, with franchising playing an increasingly important role in its overall store strategy. Recruiting through two brands is part of its approach to offering a broader range of franchise opportunities.

On 22 September, the company also announced that its board had approved an organisational restructuring involving the transfer of retail operations to its wholly owned subsidiary, Fuda Retail. Anyone considering signing an agreement should confirm the legal entity they would contract with, the ongoing support available and the arrangements for fulfilling contractual obligations. The current exhibition announcements do not explain these details.

An opportunity to compare options, not a guarantee of results

According to a SET iNEWS report on 24 September, this year’s exhibition will bring together more than 300 brands across nearly 800 stands, alongside the World and Asia-Pacific franchise meetings being held in Taiwan. The business opportunities and visitor numbers cited in the report are pre-event forecasts, not realised commercial results. They should not be used directly to estimate the earnings of an individual franchise outlet.

Practical tip: before attending, set out your available investment, preferred operating locations and the time you can devote to managing a store yourself. Then ask both brands for a complete fee schedule and the promotional terms. Comparing initial incentives separately from long-term operating costs will make it easier to judge whether an offer suits your circumstances.