The 26th Franchise Expo Paris closed its doors with very strong visitor figures of 30,050 and excellent results all round. Over its four days, the show and its 420 exhibiting franchises, representing 75 sectors of business and including over 70 first timers, confirmed the strong upward trend in franchising. Attracting high and higher quality visitors and hitting both its domestic and international targets, Franchise Expo confirmed its role as an economic model and as the best means of growth for franchises.
Visiting entrepreneurs in search of ideas for starting their businesses 83% of the visitors were franchising entrepreneurs, divided up as follows: 40% executives, 30% shopkeepers and 30% investors. They were also young entrepreneurs, with 58% of the visitors being less than 40-years old, 33% between 41 and 50 and 9% between 51 and 60. The survey, carried out at the entrance to the show by SESA Marketing, also revealed an exceptional level of satisfaction, with virtually all the visitors declaring themselves satisfied with the ideas provided by the show for starting a business, as well as the great variety of franchises and new concepts on display.
Entrepreneurs from the French regions visited Franchise Expo Paris 60% of the visitors are from the provinces, with all of France s regions being represented: 1st Rhône Alpes, 2nd North, 3rd Loire, 4th Centre, 5th PACA (south of France), 6th Brittany. The special day for Chambers of Commerce and Industry was a great success: over 300 shopkeepers planning projects visited the show accompanied by 25 chambers of commerce.
The substantial programme of free conferences was also highly successful. Another big attraction this year was the 24 workshops for future franchisors. At this time of intense political activity the show also attracted representatives of the Presidential candidates: Pierre-Alain Weill, SME consultant to the Socialist party, on behalf of Ségolène Royal, Jean Arthuis, UDF Senator for the Mayenne, for François Bayrou, and Jean-Paul Charié, Loiret Deputy, for Nicolas Sarkozy.
Franchising investors from around the world Franchise Expo Paris confirmed its role as an international springboard for franchising, with 22% of the exhibitors at the exhibition being international, as well as numerous foreign delegations visiting from China, Canada, Spain, the Ivory Coast, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Lebanon, etc. The US pavilion allowed visitors to discover new concepts such as Home Instead Senior Care, which received the prestigious Business Award Franchise 2007. On the Spanish pavilion, the presence of first timer Mango boosted that of the 10 plus ready to export franchise concepts such as Neck&Neck, Ka International, Lizzaran, etc.
Finally, the show offered business meetings to exhibitors who wanted expand via master Franchising: the Master Franchise Meetings. 200 international investors took part in a program of meetings with fifteen French and foreign exhibitors.

Exhibitors presented with awards for their initiative and professionalism
This year the Excellence Awards went to:

The stand that best represented its concept: HAPPY
The stand offering the best reception: AVIS IMMOBILIER
The stand providing the best information: GUY HOQUET IMMOBILIER
The winners of the 7th Espoirs de la Franchise were Pro Duo, in the new concepts category and EKYOG in the new exhibitors'category.

Paul and Lori Hogan, founders and presidents of Home Instead Senior Care, received the Business Award Franchise 2007, which recognized the success of an international franchisor.
In the current economic situation, the 26th Franchise Expo Paris performed well, establishing its position in the French commercial landscape as a vital channel for employment, creativity and changes of direction.