Franchise Expo South Draws Record Crowd to Houston

March 5, 2014

People looking to start their own businesses flocked to Houston recently for Franchise Expo South, with 11,000 attendees checking out 200 different franchise opportunities.

Held Feb. 6-8 at the Reliant Center, while most of the attendees came from the local area, potential franchisees came from 38 states and 18 countries.

“We were extremely pleased with the record-breaking turnout at the first Franchise Expo South in Houston,” said Tom Portesy, president of MFV Expositions, producers of Franchise Expo South.

He added, “Our decision to move the Expo to Houston was a strategic decision based on the region’s growing economy and because Houston is one of the best cities in the country for small business. We look forward to many more successful years in the city.”



Franchise Expo South gave visitors the opportunity to discover what types of franchise businesses matched their needs.

The tradeshow floor highlighted hundreds of top brands across all industries including America’s Taco Shop, Burger 21, Capriotti’s, Zaxby’s, Caring Senior Service, CruiseOne, Crunch Fitness and Ready Decks, among others.



“The first Franchise Expo South in Houston was one of the busiest trade shows I have attended in my 25-year career in franchising,” said Brian Wieters, vice president of franchise recruitment for Pillar to Post Inc.

He added, “We were very impressed with the number of qualified buyers who were in attendance and expect to close three new franchise deals as a result of the show. I am sure many exhibitors would agree that the show’s move to Texas has definitely paid off.”



Sponsored by the International Franchise Association, Franchise Expo South also featured more than 50 educational seminars and conferences, several of which were approved for Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) accreditation.

These public sessions discussed the latest issues affecting the industry and further defined the impact that franchising has on both new and existing businesses.

MFV Expositions also runs the International Franchise Expo and  West Coast Franchise Expo, as well as shows in Mexico and London.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.