Taiwan’s 2026 Global Franchise Conference to Focus on AI, Labour Shortages and ESG

How can AI help outlets cope with labour shortages, and how can environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives deliver tangible impact? These questions are central to plans announced by Taiwan’s Administration of Commerce, under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, for the 2026 Global Franchise Conference. Representatives from overseas businesses and franchise organisations will share perspectives from different operating environments, offering Taiwan’s franchise community opportunities to exchange ideas.

Two-day programme targets staffing and sustainability

According to the announced plans, the conference will take place on 2–3 October 2026 at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 2. It is organised by the Administration of Commerce, delivered by the China Productivity Center and supported by the Taiwan Chain and Franchise Promotion Association.

The programme has two main themes: using AI to address labour shortages and translating ESG into impact. Business leaders and franchise community representatives from Japan, Canada, Guatemala, Indonesia and Taiwan are invited to share practical experience from their markets. Aimed at chain and franchise operators and small and medium-sized enterprises, the discussions will focus not on individual brands’ outlet expansion plans, but on how business models can adapt to staffing pressures and sustainability requirements.

Japanese speakers bring technology and fitness-chain perspectives

The announced speakers include Hironobu Akiyama, founder and chief executive of INFORICH, the parent company of shared power-bank brand CHARGESPOT, and Takeshi Masumoto, president of the Japanese women’s fitness chain Curves.

These businesses operate in different service settings, broadening the discussion beyond food and beverage outlets. The organisers have also included Japan’s experience of an ageing population among the topics for exchange, providing another perspective on staffing and service demand for Taiwan’s franchise community.

For operators, the useful question is not simply whether a brand uses AI, but which tasks the technology actually handles: does it reduce repetitive work, or help staff serve customers? These are questions to ask when assessing tools, rather than evidence that the conference has already announced results for particular solutions.

Canadian and emerging-market experience side by side

Other announced representatives include Sherry McNeil, president and chief executive of the Canadian Franchise Association; Andrew Nugroho, representing the Indonesian Franchise Association; and Jose Roberto Fernandez, representing the franchise community in Central and South America.

The programme covers issues including Canada’s high labour costs, digital transformation in South-East Asia and emerging markets in Central and South America. Bringing these topics together should help participants compare operating conditions across markets, rather than judging brand development solely by outlet numbers or the pace of expansion.

Taiwan-based franchisors looking to learn from overseas practices should first distinguish which measures depend on local labour costs, consumer habits or market maturity before deciding whether they suit their own outlets. Overseas case studies can offer useful reference points, but should not be treated as forecasts of returns for franchises in Taiwan.

Turning conference themes into an outlet assessment checklist

Placing AI and ESG at the heart of the programme offers the franchise community two ways to review operations. AI can be assessed through workflows and staffing needs, while ESG can be examined through measurable sustainability targets and day-to-day management. The announcement primarily sets out the agenda and speakers; it does not establish how much any particular tool can save or whether a sustainability measure has delivered a specific return.

Practical tip: existing and prospective franchisees can start by listing their outlet’s three most labour-intensive tasks, then ask the franchisor about the costs, training requirements and performance measures for relevant tools. When assessing ESG arrangements, they should also seek clear responsibilities for implementation and methods for keeping records, so that the conference themes translate into practical decisions about opening an outlet.