Forum Franchise Lyon · 2026

Agoris analysis · updated October 2026

Key takeaways

• The Forum Franchise is the annual gathering for franchising and organised retail in Lyon, organised by the CCI Lyon Métropole Saint-Étienne Roanne. It positions itself as France's second-largest event in the sector, behind Franchise Expo Paris.
• Next edition: 18th edition, on Thursday 8 October 2026 from 9 am to 5.30 pm at the LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu.
• Close to 160 regional, national and international brands exhibit to recruit new franchisees, across all sectors.
• 2025 review (17th edition, the first at the LDLC Arena): 2,398 unique attendees (source: lyon-franchise.com/exposer).
• Free visitor entry with online registration.

Who exhibits

Typical profile

Franchisors, organised retail brands and franchising experts. Every sector is represented: catering and food, automotive, banking and financing, beauty, health, fitness and hairdressing, specialist retail, home and building, property, fashion and accessories, business services and personal services.

The visitor base is made up of franchise candidates, project leaders and entrepreneurs looking to join a network, mostly from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

Notable exhibitors

Close to 160 brands exhibit at each edition. The exhibitor list is available on the official website: lyon-franchise.com. Brands that have exhibited at recent editions include: Brioche Dorée, Burger King (catering), Midas, Point S (automotive), Monoprix (distribution), Yves Rocher (beauty) (source: lyon-franchise.com).

Quality of the visitor base

• 2,398 unique attendees in 2025, compared with 2,293 unique visitors in 2024 (sources: lyon-franchise.com/exposer, franchise-magazine.com)
• A predominantly regional visitor base: project leaders and franchise candidates from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
• Visitors' main objectives: meeting targeted exhibitors, attending conferences and workshops, and finding out about setting up a franchise

Activities & community

Conference programme

The Forum Franchise offers a programme of conferences and workshops led by sector experts (lawyers, financiers, network heads), covering financing, the legal framework of the franchise agreement and the franchise candidate's journey. The detailed 2026 programme is published on the official website as the trade show approaches.

Awards and prizes

The Trophées Forum Franchise Lyon spotlight the players who embody the dynamism and innovation of franchised retail. Three distinctions are awarded: L'Ouverture de l'année, Le Développement de l'année and Le Coup de Cœur (source: lyon-franchise.com/trophee-forum-franchise-2025/).

Community and networks

The trade show brings together several partners, including the Fédération française de la franchise, the Banque Populaire Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, Fiducial and France Travail, alongside several specialist franchising media outlets.

On site: what you need to know

Access, parking and transport: see the LDLC Arena listing.

Specific to the trade show:

• Opening hours: Thursday 8 October 2026, 9 am to 5.30 pm.
• Visitor badge: free with prior online registration via lyon-franchise.com.
• Access: tram T7 to Décines OL Vallée stop, bus 85, free P9 car park on site. 30 minutes from Lyon Part-Dieu station and 10 minutes by car from the airport and Lyon Saint-Exupéry station.

How much it costs to exhibit

Exhibitor rates published on the official website (excl. VAT):

• Bare stand 12 m²: €2,700 excl. VAT
• Standard pack 6 m²: €2,825 excl. VAT
• 6 m² pack, full customisation: €3,980 excl. VAT

Source: lyon-franchise.com/exposer.

These offers include a listing in the exhibitor directory, WiFi, access to the VIP club and two meals (source: lyon-franchise.com/exposer).

Preparing your visit

For the exhibitor

• 9 months out: making contact with the CCI Lyon Métropole, choosing the stand format from the published offers.
• 6 months out: preparing the franchisee recruitment pitch and the network's presentation materials.
• 3 months out: applying for the Trophées Forum Franchise Lyon.
• 6 weeks out: confirming candidate meetings and briefing the sales team.

For the decision-making visitor

• Free online pre-registration at lyon-franchise.com.
• Set aside a day: the trade show takes place on a single day.
• Identify in advance the brands and conferences that match your project.
• Prepare your franchise candidate file (investment capacity, target sector, location area).

How the trade show has evolved

• Bare stand 12 m²: €2,700 excl. VAT
• Standard pack 6 m²: €2,825 excl. VAT
• 6 m² pack, full customisation: €3,980 excl. VAT

Source: lyon-franchise.com/exposer.

Trajectory analysis

The Forum Franchise changed venue in 2025: after the Cité internationale des congrès de Lyon, its 17th edition moved for the first time to the LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, a format it retains in 2026. The trade show is stabilising its audience at around 2,300 to 2,400 unique attendees and close to 160 brands, while remaining strongly anchored in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes area. Its positioning as France's second-largest franchising event, behind Franchise Expo Paris, makes it the benchmark gathering for organised retail in the south-east. The 18th edition takes place on 8 October 2026 at the LDLC Arena.

Unless otherwise stated, all factual data in this listing comes from the organiser's official website (lyon-franchise.com).