Entrepreneurs seeking to explore franchise ownership will gather in downtown Cincinnati on October 23-24 for Franchise Expo Cincinnati, an event produced by MFV Expositions ("MFV") and Comexposium. The two-day expo, held at the First Financial Center, expects more than 1,500 attendees and will feature over 80 exhibitors, 15 workshops and seminars, and several keynote speakers. Registration is now open for both exhibitors and attendees.
The event's importance is underscored by Ohio's rising profile in franchising. The International Franchise Association's latest Franchise Economic Impact Report ranked the state ninth for overall franchise interest and activity. Martin Joksimovic, president of MFV Expositions, said, "We look forward to bringing our message of economic hope and prosperity directly to America's Heartland. We've had our eye on this region for some time now, noting the area's potential for growth and expansion, the comparative affordability of its communities, and what we would best describe as significant opportunities for market leadership."
Attendees will have access to top franchise brand exhibitors across industries such as automotive, fitness, senior care, and fast casual dining. Notable brands include Gold's Gym, HomeVestors, Dream Vacations, and Lightbridge Academy, as well as food and beverage concepts like McDonald's, Biggby Coffee, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Pizza brands Rosati's Pizza, CiCi's Pizza, and Little Caesars Pizza will also be present.
The expo offers a robust educational program, including the familiar workshops and seminars that have become a hallmark of MFV events. The A to Z's of Buying a Franchise session, hosted by Dr. John Hayes, will kick off the programming on Friday, October 23. Additional special events include the Emerging Brands Pavilion, where attendees can discover new franchises with under 10 locations, and the Business Resource Center, a hub for networking with industry vendors and suppliers.
For those unable to attend in person, MFV has partnered with Social Geek Radio for the Franchise Expo Unplugged podcast, featuring onsite interviews and curated playlists. Franchise Expo Cincinnati is the fourth domestic stop for MFV in 2026, following successful events in Dallas and New York City. The final domestic event, Franchise Expo West, will take place in Glendale, Arizona, on November 13-14.
For more information, visit www.franchiseexpocincinnati.com. Comexposium, one of the world's leading event organizers, operates globally and hosts over 135 events annually. More details about Comexposium can be found at https://www.comexposium.com/en.
This expo matters because it provides a direct pathway for entrepreneurs in the Midwest to explore franchise ownership, a sector that is showing strong growth in Ohio. With face-to-face interactions and a wide range of investment levels, the event could spur new business formation and job creation in the region.
