The Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) officially opened its annual flagship event, Franchise Expo Malaysia 2026 (“FEM 2026”), today at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). The three-day exhibition will run from 23 to 25 July 2026.
The opening ceremony is graced by the YB Ng Sze Han, Selangor State Executive Councillor (EXCO) for Investment, Trade, and Mobility as the Guest of Honour, reflecting the Government’s continued support for entrepreneurship, franchising and the development of Malaysia’s retail sector.
The 9th edition of FEM has set a target of RM700 million in transaction value, representing a 40% increase from the actual transaction value of RM500 million recorded in 2025. The higher target reflects growing investor confidence in the franchising model as a sustainable mechanism for business expansion amid evolving economic conditions.
From left: Ms. Shirley Tay, Datuk Seri Nelson Kwok, Dato Tay Sim Kim, Mr. Terry Tay and Datuk Dr Ken Phua; from right are Datuk Seri Garry Chua, Datuk Albert Chiang, Datuk Lee Hwa Cheng, Ms. Christine Tan and Dato Liew Bin.
Spanning five major exhibition halls, FEM 2026 features more than 450 exhibition booths and is projected to attract over 20,000 visitors, signalling robust growth across the retail and franchise sectors.
Malaysian home-grown brands account for 60% of the participating brands, while the remaining 40% comprise international franchises. The expo serves as a high-efficiency business-matching platform connecting brand owners, prospective franchisees and investors, while supporting the overall advancement of the retail ecosystem.
On the international front, FEM 2026 features strong global representation, with participating countries including Thailand, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, South Korea, India, Spain, Australia, Indonesia and many more.
Notably, the Department of Business Development (“DBD”) under Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce is anchoring a dedicated Thailand Pavilion. Other major international organisations participating in the exhibition include the China Bakery Association, the Catering Franchise Alliance (China) and the World Franchise Association.
Embracing the global shift towards short-form video and digital retail, FEM 2026 introduces an exclusive Live Streaming Zone. The new feature leverages live commerce by encouraging exhibitors to synchronise their physical booths with online promotional channels to strengthen brand awareness and generate business leads.
This digital initiative forms part of MRCA’s broader strategy to introduce a more youthful and international dimension to the exhibition.
FEM 2026 also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) between MRCA and Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (“TAR UMT”), aimed at strengthening collaboration in education and talent development.
Under the partnership, both parties will collaborate on talent development, education, industry engagement, scholarships, internships, career opportunities, knowledge sharing, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Mr Terry Tay, Organising Chairman of FEM 2026, highlighted that one of the core objectives of this year’s expo is to lower the barrier to entry for aspiring entrepreneurs by providing them with transparent and reliable brand information.
“Every brand showcasing at FEM 2026 undergoes a rigorous screening process. Exhibitors are required to be members of MRCA, ensuring that they possess an established business scale and solid credibility. This stringent measure is in place to protect the rights and investments of prospective franchisees,” Tay emphasised.
FEM 2026 continues to receive strong support from retail industry players, with Nu Vending as the Platinum Sponsor, Xilnex and Reveillon Group Sdn Bhd as the Silver Sponsors and Gintell as the Bronze Sponsor. Meanwhile, U Business serves as the Patron and Connectivity Partner, ensuring seamless digital connectivity throughout the three-day event.
Consistently recognised as Malaysia’s largest and most influential retail and franchise exhibition, FEM 2026 is held under the theme “Invest In Your Future”. By combining innovation with youth-centric elements, the expo aims to bridge the gap between traditional retail models and modern business strategies, ultimately cultivating a more resilient, dynamic and future-ready local retail ecosystem.
For further inquiries, please visit the official website at www.franchiseexpo.my, email fem@mrca.org.my , or contact directly at +6019-214 5362.
