Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
The International Franchise Expo - IFE is the leading franchise show in the U. S.
, showcasing a wide array of franchise opportunities. Taking place at Javits Center, Hall 1C in New York City, this event connects aspiring entrepreneurs with over 200 exhibiting franchise brands.
Attendees will have access to valuable resources, workshops, and networking opportunities to help them succeed in franchise ownership. International Franchise Expo - IFE takes place in New York, USA.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: June 2027 edition at the Javits Center, Hall 1C, on 11th Avenue in Midtown West, New York; confirm the exact show days on ifeinfo.com before booking flights or hotels.
- 2Sector Focus: Franchise ownership and brand expansion, spanning food and beverage, retail, home services, health and wellness, home improvement, education and multi-unit investment concepts.
- 3Organiser: Staged by MFV Expositions together with Comexposium, the team behind franchise events in the United States and Europe, with registration handled online through the official site.
- 4Who Attends: Prospective single-unit and multi-unit franchisees, master licence candidates, brand development executives and franchise brokers evaluating US and international systems.
- 5Entry: Attendees register online in advance and can research concepts and line up meetings before arriving, rather than relying on walk-up introductions on the show floor.
Why visit
Attendees will gain insights from industry experts and connect with franchise brands that align with their business goals. Dates and Venue: The International Franchise Expo - IFE takes place from June 4 to 5, 2027, at Javits Center, Hall 1C, New York, USA. Buyer Authority: Entrepreneurs and prospective business owners from 43 states and 64 countries attend to explore franchise opportunities. Entry: Registration is available online; attendees can find their perfect franchise.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at IFE provides franchise brands with direct access to a diverse audience of potential franchisees. Scale and Focus: This premier franchise show attracts over 200 exhibiting franchise brands and industry experts from around the globe. Buyer Authority: Entrepreneurs and prospective business owners from 43 states and 64 countries attend to explore franchise opportunities.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Entrepreneurs seeking franchise opportunities
Business owners looking to expand their franchise portfolio
Investors interested in franchise investments
Franchise consultants and advisors
Individuals exploring business ownership options
Franchise industry professionals
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Franchise brands from various sectors
Franchise service providers
Consultants specializing in franchising
Marketing agencies for franchise promotion
Financial institutions offering franchise funding
Training and support organizations for franchisees
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Food and beverage franchises - quick service restaurants, coffee, bakery, juice, dessert and fast-casual concepts
Retail franchises - convenience, specialty retail, beauty, pet, and mobile or kiosk retail formats
Home and commercial services - cleaning, restoration, handyman, landscaping, pest control and logistics services
Health and wellness franchises - fitness studios, recovery and stretch studios, med spa and wellness retail concepts
Home improvement and remodeling franchises - flooring, kitchen and bath, roofing, painting and renovation services
Education and children's enrichment franchises - STEM, tutoring, test preparation, language and early learning brands
Senior care and healthcare support franchises - in-home care, staffing and non-medical support services
Multi-unit, master franchise and area development opportunities for investors and international operators
Franchise support services - brokers, consultants, financing providers, legal advisors and FDD review specialists
Location & Facilities
Venue
Javits Center, Hall 1C
429 11th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Facilities
Parking
Javits Center, Hall 1C in New York typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Javits Center, Hall 1C in New York typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Javits Center, Hall 1C for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Who runs the show
Organisers
MFV
Comexposium
How the last edition performed
Previous edition
Next edition
Not announced yet
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
New York, USA
Why it matters
Attending International Franchise Expo - IFE on 2027-06-04 to 2027-06-05 in New York lets buyers and specifiers benchmark suppliers, see live demonstrations, and compress months of vendor meetings into one focused trade visit — worthwhile when your category roadmap aligns with the official exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · USD
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
John F. Kennedy International
The main long-haul gateway for IFE New York. AirTrain JFK connects the terminals to Jamaica (LIRR and E/J/Z subway) and Howard Beach (A train); from Penn Station or 34th Street it is a 20-25 minute walk or a short taxi west to the Javits Center, Hall 1C
to venue
45-60 min
by car
LaGuardia
The closest of the three New York airports to Midtown but with no rail link: plan on a taxi, rideshare or the M60 bus plus subway to reach Hall 1C, and allow extra time in the morning peak along the Grand Central Parkway
to venue
45-60 min
by car
Newark Liberty
AirTrain Newark plus NJ Transit reaches Penn Station New York in around 30 minutes, then a 20-25 minute walk or short taxi to the Javits Center; a direct taxi or rideshare is simpler with luggage but slower in rush hour
to venue
45-60 min
by car
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
The New Yorker Hotel
4-star
Midtown WestApprox. 820 m from Javits Center, Hall 1C to venueGuest rating 3.9; breakfast (paid), free Wi-Fi, paid parking, pet-friendly, fitness center, bar and restaurant. Sits near Penn Station, which helps if you arrive on NJ Transit from EWR.
The Knickerbocker
5-star
Midtown ManhattanApprox. 1.3 km from Javits Center, Hall 1C to venueGuest rating 4.3 on Times Square; breakfast (paid), free Wi-Fi, paid parking, pet-friendly, fitness center, bar and restaurant. Suited to senior brand teams hosting evening meetings, roughly a 15-18 minute walk to Hall 1C.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
AirTrain plus subway
Estimated costUSD 2.50-6 single metro/light-rail journey (contactless)
Best forJFK terminals to Javits Center, Hall 1C
Take AirTrain to Jamaica for the LIRR or E/J/Z, or to Howard Beach for the A train, then walk or take a short taxi west from Penn Station or 34th Street. Allow 60-75 minutes door to door with luggage.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from JFK to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forJohn F. Kennedy International (JFK) to Javits Center, Hall 1C
Yellow cabs run a metered flat fare between JFK and Manhattan. Journey time is 45-60 minutes outside peak and longer in the morning rush along the Van Wyck and Midtown tunnels.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from LGA to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forLaGuardia (LGA) to Javits Center, Hall 1C
LaGuardia is the shortest taxi hop to Midtown West but traffic through Queens and the Queens-Midtown Tunnel varies sharply; allow 45 minutes and more in rush hour.
AirTrain plus NJ Transit
Estimated costUSD 12-28 airport or regional rail single journey
Best forNewark Liberty (EWR) to Penn Station New York, then Javits Center
AirTrain connects the EWR terminals to the Northeast Corridor line; from Penn Station New York it is a 20-25 minute walk west along 34th Street to the Javits Center or a short taxi.
taxi or rideshare
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from EWR to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forNewark Liberty (EWR) to Javits Center, Hall 1C
Direct road transfer from EWR crosses the Lincoln Tunnel or Holland Tunnel depending on traffic; the rail option is cheaper but slower with heavy bags.
subway or local bus
Estimated costUSD 2.50-6 single metro/light-rail journey (contactless)
Best forMidtown Manhattan to Javits Center, Hall 1C
The 7 train to 34th Street-Hudson Yards and the A/C/E to 34th Street-Penn Station both leave a 10-20 minute walk to Hall 1C. Bus routes along 34th and 42nd Street run west toward 11th Avenue.
rideshare
Estimated costUSD 35–75 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forShort Midtown hops to Javits Center, Hall 1C
Uber and Lyft both operate in New York. Use the designated rideshare pickup and drop-off zones rather than flagging cars on 11th Avenue during show hours.
parking
Estimated costUSD 18-35 daily venue parking
Best forOn-site garage at Javits Center, Hall 1C
The venue garage gives direct hall access but fills early on show mornings. Commercial lots along 34th-40th Street between 10th and 12th Avenue are the fallback and should be pre-booked where possible.
Weather
June is early summer in New York, with warm, humid days and short, heavy afternoon thunderstorms. Daytime highs typically sit around 26-29 C (79-84 F) and overnight lows around 18-21 C (64-70 F), and humidity makes midday feel warmer than the number suggests. The weather capture retrieved national NWS alert pages rather than a June climate table, so check the NWS New York forecast in the final week before travel and keep an umbrella in your bag for the walk along 11th Avenue.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
US networks (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) use LTE and 5G bands that most modern handsets support, but check your device before flying from London, Dubai, Tokyo, Singapore or Sydney, or buy a US eSIM that activates on arrival at JFK, LGA or EWR. The Javits Center is a large steel-and-glass hall, so expect congested mobile data during show hours and use venue or hotel Wi-Fi for video calls. Power is 120 V at 60 Hz with Type A and Type B plugs, so bring a converter for UK, EU, UAE, Japanese and Australian plugs. Free Wi-Fi is listed at several Midtown West hotels captured for this listing.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Business dress
Franchise expo dress sits between business casual and smart casual. Brand development teams typically wear branded shirts or polos, while candidates arrive in smart casual; a jacket helps for evening meetings but is not required on the floor.
Meeting style
US franchise conversations are direct and time-boxed. Expect a qualification sequence covering liquid capital, net worth and target territory within the first few minutes, and bring a one-page buyer profile rather than a long verbal introduction.
Tipping and payments
Restaurant tipping runs 18-20 percent on the pre-tax bill, 1-2 USD per drink at a bar, and 15-20 percent for taxi drivers; card payment is accepted almost everywhere in Midtown, but keep small notes for tips.
Walking distances
Manhattan blocks are long, and the walk from Penn Station or Times Square to the Javits Center along 11th Avenue is exposed to weather. Comfortable shoes matter more than formal ones, and a 15-minute walk can easily take 20 minutes in a crowd.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: JFK
Captured Google Flights searches used a 4 June 2027 outbound and 8 June 2027 return into JFK; price insights flagged fares as currently typical but no dollar values were captured, so compare live quotes before booking and treat those dates as the surrounding travel window rather than confirmed show days. Long-haul itineraries from Tokyo, Singapore and Sydney were all one-stop, so allow a connection buffer on arrival day. Land at JFK where possible for the widest choice of long-haul connections; LGA is closer to Midtown but has no rail link, and EWR works well if you are continuing on the NJ Transit and Amtrak network.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: John F. Kennedy International (JFK): 45-60 min; LaGuardia (LGA): 45-60 min; Newark Liberty (EWR): 45-60 min. Allow road or rail time to Javits Center, Hall 1C; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Javits Center, Hall 1C: Midtown West: The New Yorker Hotel; Midtown Manhattan: The Knickerbocker.
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft both operate across New York, with dedicated pickup zones at JFK, LGA and EWR and designated rideshare areas near the Javits Center. A Midtown hop typically runs about USD 12-25 before surge pricing, while airport runs are metered or flat fare and can double during rain or the evening rush. Avoid hailing on 11th Avenue during show opening and closing, when the vehicle queue backs up along the west side.
Public transit: MTA subway and bus service is the cheapest route in: the 7 train to 34th Street-Hudson Yards, the A/C/E to 34th Street-Penn Station and the 1/2/3 to Times Square-42nd Street all leave a 10-20 minute walk west to the Javits Center. OMNY contactless payment covers subways and local buses at about USD 2.90 per ride; the JFK AirTrain and NJ Transit are ticketed separately. Bus routes along 34th and 42nd Street cross toward 11th Avenue, which is useful in rain or with heavier bags.
Parking: The Javits Center operates an on-site garage with direct hall access, typically around USD 35-60 per day during a trade-show week, and pre-booking is advisable on show mornings. Commercial lots along 34th-40th Street between 10th and 12th Avenue offer overflow capacity but fill early and price by the day rather than the hour. Rideshare drop-off and taxi queues are separated from the garage entrance, so check the venue map before driving in.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: June 2027
Temperature: Daytime highs typically 26-29 C (79-84 F) and overnight lows 18-21 C (64-70 F) in New York in June; humidity can push the perceived temperature several degrees higher in the afternoon.
Seasonality: June is one of the wetter months in New York, with roughly 10-11 rain days and a pattern of short, heavy afternoon thunderstorms rather than all-day drizzle. Mornings are usually the drier window for the walk to the Javits Center, and the west-side approach along 11th Avenue offers little shelter.
Packing: Pack lightweight, breathable layers, a compact umbrella or rain shell, comfortable walking shoes for long Midtown blocks, and a light layer for heavily air-conditioned halls and meeting rooms. Add a power bank and a refillable water bottle for full days on the show floor, and check the NWS New York forecast in the final week before departure.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at International Franchise Expo - IFE usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
Day 14 - Confirm your registration on ifeinfo.com and download the badge confirmation; check whether any workshop or conference session needs a separate booking.
T-2
Day 10 - Shortlist 10-15 brands across at least three sectors and rank them by total investment range, territory availability and operating model, not by brand recognition alone.
T-3
Day 8 - Request FDDs from the top five brands; US franchisors must give at least 14 days before signing, so starting early keeps the option of a serious conversation at the show.
T-4
Day 7 - Book meetings through exhibitor pages and confirm which hall and booth each meeting sits in, since the Javits Center hall layout spans several blocks along 11th Avenue.
T-5
Day 5 - Prepare a one-page buyer profile with capital available, target territory, ownership model and timeline; hand it to brand development managers instead of repeating the same story at every booth.
T-6
Day 4 - Book travel and Midtown West accommodation early; June is a busy convention month in New York and rates in the walkable cluster around 34th-42nd Street rise quickly.
T-7
Day 3 - Download the show app or floor plan, mark conference sessions you want, and plan a walking route that groups booths by sector to avoid crossing the hall repeatedly.
T-8
Day 1 - Charge a power bank, carry business cards and a notebook, and set aside the last two hours of the day to write up notes while the conversations are still fresh.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Javits Center, Hall 1C
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2International Franchise Expo - IFE registration concourse
Javits Center, Hall 1C
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Javits Center, Hall 1C
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights$360.00
- Per diem × 2$150.00
Estimated total$510.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether International Franchise Expo - IFE fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus aligns with the official product themes.
Best for
Buyers, researchers, and delegates evaluating the programme and networking value.
Min. budget
$400.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration and travel.
Risks
Limited session times published - confirm agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a clear lead-generation or launch goal for this market.
Best for
Suppliers and brands seeking qualified meetings with the event audience.
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, and marketing prep.
Risks
Booth pricing not published in captured sources - confirm with organiser.
skip
Programme, audience, or commercial goals do not match your plan.
Best for
Teams whose category or region fit is weak this edition.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
No major risks listed.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
What is the International Franchise Expo in New York?
The International Franchise Expo (IFE) is a franchise ownership and brand expansion event at the Javits Center in New York, organised by MFV Expositions with Comexposium. Brands present franchise systems across food and beverage, retail, services, health and wellness, home improvement and education, and attendees use the show to compare concepts and meet franchisors face to face.
When and where is IFE New York held?
The 2027 edition runs in June 2027 at the Javits Center, Hall 1C, on 11th Avenue in Midtown West, New York. Exact show days and opening hours are published by the organiser at ifeinfo.com, so confirm them before booking flights; the New York June weather and hotel rates both reward early planning.
Who should attend IFE?
Prospective franchisees exploring a first unit, existing operators looking to add a second brand, multi-unit and semi-absentee investors, international buyers seeking master or area development rights, and franchise brokers shortlisting concepts for clients. Brand-side development, marketing and operations teams also attend to meet qualified candidates in one place.
How do I register and what does attendance cost?
Registration is handled online through the organiser site, ifeinfo.com. Ticket tiers and any conference or workshop add-ons are set by the organiser, so check the registration page for current pricing rather than relying on second-hand listings; group registration is usually available for brand teams and brokerages.
Which franchise sectors are represented at IFE?
The floor spans quick service restaurants, coffee and dessert concepts, retail and convenience formats, home services such as cleaning and restoration, senior care, fitness and wellness studios, education and tutoring brands, automotive and maintenance services, and pet care. Sector breadth is the point: candidates can compare an FDD from a food brand and a home services brand in the same afternoon.
Can international visitors attend and buy a US franchise?
Yes. IFE attracts international attendees looking at both US brands and master licence rights for their home markets. Foreign nationals should confirm US entry requirements early, either through the Visa Waiver Program with an approved ESTA or a B-1 business visitor visa, and should bring registration confirmation and a return ticket for the port of entry.
What should I bring to franchise meetings at the Javits Center?
Bring a one-page buyer profile covering available capital, target territory, operating experience and preferred ownership model, plus a shortlist of 10-15 brands and a list of questions on Item 19 data, territory size, build-out cost and training. A phone for scanning badges and a notebook for comparing total investment ranges across booths will save hours after the show.
Are there conference sessions and workshops at IFE?
The organiser publishes the programme at ifeinfo.com/schedule. Sessions typically cover franchise financing, FDD review, multi-unit scaling and international development, and they are usually worth booking alongside floor meetings because they fill up before the show opens.
How do I get to the Javits Center from the airport?
From JFK, use AirTrain plus the subway or LIRR into Manhattan, or take a yellow cab on the flat fare, allowing 45-60 minutes. LGA has no rail link, so plan on a taxi, rideshare or the M60 bus plus subway. From EWR, AirTrain Newark plus NJ Transit reaches Penn Station New York, then a 20-25 minute walk or short taxi to Hall 1C.
Is IFE a trade-only event or open to the public?
IFE is built for people seriously evaluating franchise ownership and for brand development teams, rather than a consumer day out. Registration categories, age policies and any trade-only or press credentials are set by the organiser, so check the registration terms on ifeinfo.com before travelling.
Glossary
- Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)
- The legal disclosure pack a US franchisor must give a prospective buyer at least 14 days before signing. It covers fees, territory, obligations, litigation history and, in Item 19, any financial performance representation the brand chooses to publish.
- Initial franchise fee
- The one-off payment a franchisee makes on signing for the right to use the brand, territory and operating system. At IFE it is one of the first numbers to compare across competing concepts, because it sits on top of build-out and working capital.
- Royalty
- The continuing fee, usually a percentage of gross sales, paid to the franchisor for ongoing support, brand marketing and system development. Royalty rates plus advertising fund contributions define the long-run cost of a franchise.
- Item 19 financial performance representation
- The optional section of the FDD where a franchisor publishes average unit volumes, cost ratios or other performance data. Not every brand includes one, so absence of Item 19 data is itself a diligence question to raise at the booth.
- Multi-unit franchise
- An agreement giving one operator the right to open several outlets, often on a staged schedule. Multi-unit investors are a core buying group at IFE because brands use the show to find operators who can scale a territory quickly.
- Area development agreement
- A contract granting rights to develop a defined geography over an agreed timeline, with opening quotas. It differs from a master franchise because the developer usually builds and operates the units rather than sub-franchising them.
- Master franchise
- A licence to develop and sub-franchise a brand in a country or large region, often used for international expansion. International visitors at IFE frequently attend specifically to discuss master rights for their home market.
- Conversion franchise
- An existing independent business rebranded into a franchise system, common in home services, fitness and food. Conversion routes usually lower build-out cost than a new site, which makes them a frequent talking point for existing operators.
- Territory and protected area
- The geographic or demographic boundary within which a franchisee has exclusive or limited rights. Territory definition, and how it is measured, is one of the most negotiated items for candidates comparing two competing brands.
- Total investment range
- The FDD figure combining initial fee, build-out, equipment, inventory and working capital. It is a range rather than a single number, and the low end usually assumes an existing site or a lean build.
- Franchise broker or consultant
- An intermediary who matches candidates with brands and is usually paid by the franchisor on a successful award. Brokers work the IFE floor to shortlist candidates across several concepts in one visit.
- Franchise development pipeline
- The queue of awarded but not yet opened units a brand reports to its investors and franchisees. Pipeline quality, and how long units sit before opening, is a common due diligence question for larger multi-unit buyers.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- International Franchise Expo - IFE 2027
- International Franchise Expo - IFE New York 2027
- International Franchise Expo 2027
- International Franchise Expo New York 2027
- New York USA
- Food and beverage franchises
- Retail franchises
- Service-based franchises
- Health and wellness franchises
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.