FIS 2026 reinforces franchising as one of the most solid models for entrepreneurship and investment.
- Franchise Innovation Summit (FIS) ceases to be solely an annual two-day meeting to become an active professional platform 365 days a year, consolidating and driving franchising as a lever for growth in commerce, services and investment.
- The entire franchise system reached nearly 28 billion euros, which represents around 2% of national GDP and 2.5% more than in the previous year, maintaining its upward trend in recent years, according to data published by the Spanish Franchise Association (AEF) in July 2024.
- The Metropolitano Stadium will host the third edition of this major sector event on September 30 and October 1, two days in which it is estimated to receive around 2,500 professional visitors, more than 140 brands and exhibiting companies and more than a hundred speakers.
- The Community of Madrid, Invited Business Community of FIS 2026, will lead the Cities and Franchising Forum, a strategic initiative promoted by the Spanish Franchise Association (AEF), in order to promote the development of commerce, employment and the local economy.
Madrid, February 17, 2026.
Franchise Innovation Summit (FIS) is no longer just an event that structures the franchise community, but a strategic sector tool that connects, makes visible and drives the franchise model as an economic engine and successful business formula, making available to this professional ecosystem content, contacts and business opportunities throughout the year.
The franchise model as an economic engine
According to data from the latest report “Franchising in Spain,” published by the AEF in 2024, the franchise system billed in our country 27,623 million euros, a figure that demonstrates the strength of the model and represents growth both in job creation (+4.8%), as well as in the total number of establishments (+1.3%) and networks (+0.6%).
Currently, of the 1,384 networks that make up the national franchise system, the autonomous communities that bring together more than 80% of the franchise headquarters throughout the Peninsula are the Community of Madrid (with 423), Catalonia (with 320), Valencian Community (with 171), Andalusia (with 156) and Galicia (with 58).
On the international front, the franchise model is also not falling behind: today there are 314 Spanish franchises spread across five continents, which represents growth of 0.96%, according to data published by AEF and ICEX Spain in their report “Spanish Franchising in the World 2025.”
In a macroeconomic environment with challenges such as low productivity, scarce entrepreneurship, undercapitalization of small businesses or high concentration of activity in large urban centers, the franchise model not only represents 1.88% of annual national GDP, but also contributes to greater scalability, lower risk and uncertainty when undertaking, greater homogenization and professionalization, as well as greater territorial balance.
“Our objective is clear: to contribute to continue professionalizing the franchise model, placing it at the center of economic debate and facilitating ideas, projects and brands to grow with control, purpose and long-term vision,” states Raúl Calleja, director of Franchise Innovation Summit.
And he emphasizes that “in an economic context that demands more efficient, professional and lower-risk growth models, franchising consolidates itself as one of the most solid and resilient business formulas.”
For his part, Eduardo Abadía, executive director of the AEF, celebrates that “the FIS, in its third edition, consolidates itself as the benchmark meeting for the franchise system. The figures of exhibitors, visitors and presentations given in the last edition reflect that FIS is receiving good reception from all the agents that make up this model.”
What to expect from FIS 2026
The meeting, promoted by the AEF and sponsored by BBVA, will take place on September 30 and October 1 at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, and is projected as an even more ambitious meeting, with sustained growth both at the national and international level, reinforcing its role as a strategic hub between Europe, Iberoamerica and other regions.
More than 140 brands and companies from all sectors will participate in this third edition and organizers estimate receiving around 2,500 professional visitors —entrepreneurs and self-employed workers, investors and funds, franchisees and multi-franchisees, business schools, entrepreneurs and executives, merchants and retailers, and professionals from the franchise ecosystem—, as well as generating more than 5,000 qualified leads.
Community of Madrid – Invited Business Community
In this third edition, the Community of Madrid will be the Invited Business Community and will also lead the Cities and Franchising Forum, an initiative that brings together municipalities with a vocation for business growth with the aim of promoting local economic development through the franchise model.
As a prelude to FIS 2026 and promoted by the Directorate General of Commerce of the Community of Madrid, between the months of March and June several preparatory events will be held in each of the participating cities, with institutional and business presence, in order to highlight their capacity to boost commerce, generate employment and strengthen the economy of the municipalities.
Cities and Franchising Forum
Conceived as a space for institutional dialogue and connection between franchising brands, municipal administrations and the local business ecosystem, this strategic initiative promoted by the AEF seeks to promote territorial economic development and public-private collaboration through the franchise model, as well as position different cities as attractive destinations for investment and entrepreneurship, highlighting their competitiveness and growth capacity.
The Community of Madrid, Zaragoza, Alicante, Jerez and Badajoz are some of the cities that will join the project in 2026.
New features: FIS&Meet and FIS 365
One of the main initiatives of this edition is FIS&Meet, an intelligent matching tool that allows you to schedule pre-programmed in-person meetings of 30 minutes with franchising brands.
This functionality is integrated within the FIS 365 digital platform, the other major innovation of FIS 2026: a virtual environment with access to 100% of leads and specialized content, which makes it possible to be part of a community with which to interact beyond the in-person event.
FIS Summit: the congress of specialized sector content
FIS 2026 continues to bet on the congress sphere and will maintain its two flagship auditoriums: on one hand, the Main Auditorium, with a program of content around various verticals such as Food & Food Distribution, Fitness, Health & Wellness, Beauty & Aesthetics or Digital Retail and Digital Native Brands, among others.
On the other hand, SPAZIO Restauración News, the specialized hub for organized restaurant services promoted by Show2Be, the AEF and the sector publication Restauración News, will bring together top-tier speakers again to address topics such as consumption trends in the franchise model, investment in foodservice and fast casual, multi-brand operators and international expansion.
As in previous editions, the objective is clear: to draw a realistic roadmap for brands that aspire to grow with control and purpose.
About FIS – Franchise Innovation Summit
The Franchise Innovation Summit (FIS) is an initiative promoted by the Spanish Franchise Association (AEF) and organized by Show2Be. Born as a professional and commercial platform for the franchise system, FIS connects brands, entrepreneurs, investors and administrations, promoting the expansion and professionalization of the sector in Spain and internationally.
About the Spanish Franchise Association (AEF)
The AEF was founded 32 years ago and currently has 156 members, whose billing represents 62% of the business volume generated by the franchise system in Spain. The objectives of the AEF are to represent and safeguard the interests of franchising in our country, as well as to be an interlocutor with the Administration and promote it in other markets, through its presence at international trade shows. In turn, the AEF is a member of the European Franchise Federation (EFF).
About Show2Be
Born from the alliance with the experiential marketing agency 4forEVERYTHING, the company offers a comprehensive 360º model that encompasses from the conceptualization and design of the event to its execution, production, communication and promotion. Currently, SHOW2BE executes two major events: the Franchise Innovation Summit (FIS) and SPORTCITIES Expo&Summit.
For more information, to schedule interviews or for graphic material:
– Leticia Pastor Aleixandre – FIS Marketing & Communications Manager
600 92 42 79
Access here the image gallery of FIS 2025