Outlet closure data enters franchise discussions

New outlet openings were not the only topic of franchise discussions at the Bayim Olur musun? exhibition, held in Istanbul on 15–18 October 2026. The Franchise Market Talks sessions also covered tracking outlet closure data, transparency in contracts and cost structures, staff retention and data-led site selection. Alongside growth plans, these topics brought questions about the continued viability of existing businesses onto the franchise community’s agenda.

Outlet closures also under review

The 24th Bayim Olur musun? – Be My Franchise Franchising and Branded Dealership Exhibition took place at Istanbul’s Yenikapı Avrasya Exhibition Centre. Organised by Medyafors, with Standards and Partners as its main sponsor, the event brought brand representatives and prospective investors together for four days of one-to-one meetings. Exhibitors included brands operating in food and restaurant chains, retail, education, property, logistics, technology and services.

The inclusion of outlet closure tracking in the talks programme shifted some attention from opening announcements to the track record of franchise networks. Growth was therefore discussed not only in terms of the number of new locations, but also in relation to keeping outlets operating. Staff retention was another topic on the programme.

The sessions did not present any nationwide figures for franchise outlet closures in Türkiye. The discussion should therefore not be interpreted as evidence of a measured, sector-wide closure trend. The concrete point is that monitoring closure information was among the issues considered at the exhibition. This distinction matters when separating a topic raised in investment discussions from verified market data.

Costs and contracts at the heart of stand meetings

Discussions at exhibition stands covered investment budgets, franchise and dealership terms, location requirements and expansion plans. Some contacts progressed to negotiations over dealership and franchise agreements after the exhibition. This does not, however, mean that those discussions resulted in signed contracts: negotiations and confirmed investment commitments should be treated separately.

The Franchise Market Talks discussions on transparent contracts and cost structures addressed another side of the investment budget conversations taking place at the stands. On one side were the business models and expansion plans offered by brands; on the other were questions about how to assess the terms of those models. Investor suitability was also discussed during the sessions.

For anyone considering a franchise investment, a practical implication is to avoid comparing offers solely on their upfront cost. Reviewing contractual obligations, cost items and location requirements together allows investors to compare what was discussed in a meeting with the written offer. This is not an outcome formally agreed at the exhibition, but an assessment method informed by the transparency issues highlighted there.

Site selection discussed alongside operations

Alongside data-led site selection and staff retention, the programme covered multi-site operations management. Sessions on Saturday 17 October focused on the economics of franchise investment, multi-brand management and operational processes. The question of where to open a new business was therefore considered alongside the management needs that arise after opening.

The day’s programme included sessions entitled “Creating Wealth through Franchising: Who Gets the Lion’s Share?” and “Multi-Brand Management in a Franchise System”. Operational management and success factors in multi-site franchise investments were also examined. These discussions complemented the focus on costs and contracts with issues relating to day-to-day business operations.

For an investor discussing a potential location, a useful next step may be to ask what data underpins the brand’s stated requirements. Similarly, the discussion of staff retention can prompt investors to assess ongoing staffing needs as well as preparations for opening. These are questions intended to make investment discussions more concrete, not verified performance findings about any brand at the exhibition.

From the four-day programme to follow-up discussions

Held for the first time with Branding Türkiye as strategic partner, Franchise Market Talks – The Ecosystem’s Ideas Stage hosted 17 sessions over four days. The programme also featured brand stories, including Özcanlar Köfte’s 73 years of growth and Mr. Okay’s 40-year journey in cosmetics and marketing. These accounts of business experience appeared alongside sessions on investment and operational management.

The exhibition closed on Sunday 18 October. Follow-up contact and franchise applications are expected to continue through the exhibition’s website. One concrete step prospective investors can take from here is to compare their initial discussions with the written terms subsequently provided.

Practical takeaway: When assessing a franchise offer, ask for information on closed outlets, a cost breakdown, contract terms and location data, as well as opening targets. Keep promises made during discussions separate from documented information.