A good exhibition starts with the conversations you prepare for, not the banners you print.
- Define what a qualified franchise partner means for your brand.
Define the capital range, operating experience and target locations a suitable partner should have. Give the stand team a simple qualification scorecard.
- Choose the city and neighbourhood profiles you want to reach.
Prioritise one or two target neighbourhood types and neighbouring towns. Ask the organiser which catchments the city event is designed to reach.
- Take a one-page, clearly explained franchise investment sheet.
Show total investment, ongoing fees, estimated working capital and responsibilities on one page. Separate verified unit figures from illustrative projections.
- Bring realistic operating assumptions and documented support details.
Be ready to explain rent assumptions, staffing, supply chain, training and support. Bring evidence from operating units where appropriate.
- Train your team to ask about investment range and timeframe.
Practise three questions: investment capacity, target territory and opening timeline. Then ask about hands-on involvement and prior business experience.
- Prepare a clear plan for documenting conversations with consent.
Record only the details you are authorised to collect. Tell prospects why you are capturing information and follow the organiser’s consent process.
- Set achievable meeting and follow-up goals before show day.
Agree who will hold meetings, who will answer commercial questions and how your team records serious next steps. A diary with named owners beats loose business cards.
- Plan a timely, personal follow-up process after the exhibition.
Assign follow-up owners before show day. Send a relevant note promptly, schedule discovery calls, and arrange suitable outlet visits within the next week.
These guides are educational, not legal, financial or investment advice. Assess independent evidence and consult qualified advisers before making decisions.