MFE Macao Franchise Expo Macao

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Frequently asked

Glossary

1

Franchising

A licensing arrangement in which a brand owner grants an independent operator the right to trade under its name and system, in exchange for fees and ongoing royalties, with rules on products, pricing, fit-out and training. At MFE, franchising is the core transaction on the floor, with brand owners on one side and operators or investors on the other.

2

Franchisor

The brand owner or system operator that grants franchise rights, provides the operating manual, training and marketing support, and collects the initial fee plus royalties. Most exhibiting brand owners at a franchise expo are franchisors or their appointed agents.

3

Franchisee

The independent business that buys the right to operate a branded outlet within a defined format and territory. Franchisees put up the capital, hire staff and pay royalties on turnover.

4

Master franchise

A right to develop and sub-franchise a brand across a country or large region, usually with a development schedule and minimum unit commitments. Master franchise deals are the most common cross-border conversation at MFE, where overseas brands look for a Hong Kong, Macao or mainland partner.

5

Area development agreement

A contract granting the right to open a set number of units in a defined territory within a set period, without the right to sub-franchise. It sits between a single-unit franchise and a master franchise.

6

Initial franchise fee

The one-off payment a franchisee makes for the right to join the system, covering onboarding, training and territory allocation. It is separate from fit-out cost and from ongoing royalties.

7

Royalty

The ongoing percentage of gross sales or a flat monthly fee paid to the franchisor for continued use of the brand, systems and support. Royalty structure is one of the terms buyers compare across competing booths.

8

Franchise disclosure document (FDD)

A pre-contract disclosure pack giving financial performance, unit counts, litigation history, fees and obligations so a buyer can run due diligence. Ask exhibitors whether an equivalent disclosure pack exists or can be shared under NDA.

9

Brand licensing

Granting rights to use a trademark or character on products or in services without transferring the operating system, typically via a licensor, licensee and agent structure. Licensing and franchising are both represented in the MFE exhibitor mix.

10

Licensing agent

An intermediary that represents brands and matches them with licensees in target markets, often taking a percentage of royalties. Agents are the fastest route to multi-territory licensing conversations at a fair.

11

Unit franchise

A single-outlet franchise, the smallest entry point into a brand system and the typical starting structure for first-time franchisees testing a market.

12

Chain store operations

The systems, supply chain and store standards used to run multi-outlet retail or F&B networks, covering procurement, central kitchen or warehouse flows, POS, staff training and brand consistency across units.

13

Territory rights

The geographic or channel boundaries within which a franchisee or licensee may operate a brand, including exclusivity clauses and performance thresholds. Territory scope is usually the hardest point in a cross-border franchise negotiation.

14

Business matching

Pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings between exhibitors and registered buyers, arranged by the organiser or by the parties themselves. For a franchise expo this is where brand owners screen candidate partners beyond a booth conversation.