Saudi Franchise Expo Jeddah 2026

Saudi Franchise Expo (the Saudi International Franchise Expo) opens its 2026–27 season in Jeddah with Edition 1. Organized by Sunaidi Expo & Conferences, it puts international, regional and local franchise brands in front of investors, entrepreneurs and operators looking to buy a proven business model, and gives franchisors a direct route into the Saudi market. The organizer frames the show around Saudi Vision 2030 goals: SME growth, investment attraction and taking Saudi brands regional.

The Jeddah edition

Edition 1 runs over three evenings at the Jeddah Center for Exhibitions and Events, giving brands and investors from the Western Region their own show two months before the Riyadh edition. Booth allocation for Jeddah opened first, with prime zones assigned in order of booking, and exhibitors can take shell-scheme stands (from 9 m²), space-only plots (from 18 m²) or a country pavilion (60 m² and above).

Exhibition, matchmaking and workshops

Each edition combines three formats over three evenings. The show floor gathers international, regional and local franchise brands, so visitors can compare investment ranges, royalty terms and territory availability in one place. The free matchmaking programme books hosted 20-minute meetings in advance, matched on capital range, sector and territory. A free workshop and panel programme covers franchising, financing and operations; the full agenda and speakers are still to be announced.

• Franchise exhibition floor
• Business matchmaking lounge (free)
• Workshops and panel discussions (free)
• Banks and SME finance partners on site

Who attends

The organizer describes SFE as a trade event with screened registration, aimed at people with capital, sites or an operating business.

• First-time franchise investors
• Master franchisees and area developers
• Family offices and investment groups
• Existing F&B and retail operators
• Mall and real-estate leasing teams
• Franchise consultants and lawyers
• SME entrepreneurs and start-ups

Key figures (last edition)

Figures the organizer reports for its most recent edition: 14,731 trade visitors, 179 brands and 139 exhibiting companies from 29 countries, 22 free workshops, 465+ agreements signed, 1,200+ matchmaking meetings and 7,000 m² of exhibition space.

Tickets & passes

• Trade visitor pass — Free: Free for trade visitors; registration is screened and the badge is emailed as a QR code
• Business matchmaking — Free: Free for exhibitors and registered trade visitors; slots limited, allocated in order of request