ABF

What ABF does

ABF - Associação Brasileira de Franchising is a non-profit trade association founded in 1987 and headquartered in Vila Olímpia, São Paulo, Brazil. It serves as the official representative body for the Brazilian franchising sector, connecting franchisors, franchisees, suppliers, service providers, consultants, and startups through membership, advocacy, market data, and industry convening. ABF operates a portfolio of flagship events including the ABF Franchising Expo (33rd edition, June 2026, described as the largest franchise exhibition in the world), the ABF CON annual convention, ABF Franchising Summit, ABF Franchising Week, and a network of seven regional chapters spanning all major Brazilian regions. The association also publishes the Guia Oficial de Franquias (a 300+ page annual guide, now in its 23rd year of partnership with Editora Lamonica), the Franquia & Negócios magazine, and the Fala Franchising podcast, while delivering professional development through ABF Educação and ABF Academy.

ABF's core technology footprint consists of standard digital platforms (the abf.com.br website, member portal Central do Associado, Portal do Franchising listing portal, event registration platforms, and newsletter distribution) rather than proprietary technology products. Its business model combines recurring revenue streams — membership fees, educational course subscriptions, and certification programs (notably the SEF Selo de Excelência em Franchising) — with episodic revenue from event registrations, exhibitor fees, sponsorships, and publication sales. The association is funded in part by partnerships with ApexBrasil (internationalization), Informa Markets (expo co-organization), SEBRAE, and a roster of major Brazilian financial institutions (Caixa, Banco do Brasil, BTG Pactual, Santander, Safra, Sicredi) that anchor the expo. According to ABF's own data, the Brazilian franchising sector it represents generated R$301.7 billion in revenue in 2025 with 202,444 operations across 3,297 networks in 3,828 municipalities and 1.762 million direct jobs, and ABF holds formal affiliations with FIAF and the World Franchise Council.

Name

ABF

Legal name

ABF - Associação Brasileira de Franchising

Website

https://abf.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ABF is Brazil's official franchising trade association, founded in 1987, representing franchisors, franchisees, suppliers, and startups. It operates through membership fees, major industry events (ABF Franchising Expo, ABF CON), educational programs, publications, and 7 regional chapters across Brazil.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services (Franchising Industry)

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Account-Based Marketing (ABM) for Events (THAHAGAF)

Keywords

• Franchise trade association
• Industry membership services
• Franchise expo events
• Franchise education programs
• Franchise market intelligence

Headquarters

HQ city

Vila Olímpia

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership fees (Associados): ABF generates revenue primarily through membership fees charged to franchisors, franchisees, suppliers, and other companies in the franchising ecosystem. Members receive access to the Central do Associado portal, networking events, regional meetings, and other member benefits. The association also offers the 'Seja um Associado' (Become a Member) program with tiered benefits.
2. Event and exhibition revenue: ABF organizes and promotes major franchise exhibitions and conferences including ABF Franchising Expo, ABF CON Convention, ABF Franchising Summit, and ABF Franchising Week. Revenue is generated through exhibitor fees, sponsorships, attendee registrations, and booth rentals at these events.
3. Educational programs (ABF Educação / ABF Academy): ABF offers educational courses and training programs for franchising professionals through ABF Educação and ABF Academy. Revenue is generated through course fees, certifications, and educational content subscriptions.
4. Publications and guides sales: ABF publishes the Guia Oficial de Franquias (Official Franchise Guide), a 300-page annual publication available for sale through the Livraria ABF. Additional publications include the Franquia & Negócios magazine, 'Na Mira' newsletter, and specialized books on franchising topics. Revenue is generated through sales of these publications.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ABF is a non-profit trade association that represents the Brazilian franchising sector by offering membership services, organizing large-scale industry events (most notably the ABF Franchising Expo, billed as the world's largest franchise exhibition), publishing market intelligence (including the Guia Oficial de Franquias and quarterly sector performance reports), running educational programs through ABF Educação and ABF Academy, administering the SEF excellence certification, and advocating for franchising interests with government bodies and international associations (FIAF, World Franchise Council). Its paying customers are franchisors, franchisees, suppliers, service providers, and startups seeking representation, networking, market data, and standards within the franchising ecosystem.

Product overview

ABF (Associação Brasileira de Franchising) is Brazil's official franchising association that serves as the voice of the sector, offering a portfolio of products and services including publications (Guia Oficial de Franquias, Revista Franquia e Negócios), major events (ABF Franchising Expo, ABF CON, ABF Franchising Week, Summit), educational platforms (ABF Educação, ABF Academy), digital platforms (Portal do Franchising), content channels (Fala Franchising podcast), certifications (SEF - Selo de Excelência em Franchising), awards (Prêmio ABF Destaque), and internationalization programs (Franchising Brasil with ApexBrasil). These offerings work together to professionalize, disseminate best practices, and strengthen franchising entrepreneurship in Brazil.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ABF Franchising Expo: Largest franchising exhibition in the world, held annually in São Paulo
• ABF Franchising Summit Brasil
• ABF Franchising Week
• Convenção ABF do Franchising
• SEF - Selo de Excelência em Franchising
• Guia Oficial de Franquias ABF
• ABF Educação
• Franchising Brasil
• ABF Academy

Products and services

• ABF Membership (Associados) Paid association membership for franchisors, franchisees, suppliers, and startups in Brazil, providing access to the Central do Associado portal, regional events, networking, market intelligence, and member benefits.
• ABF Franchising Expo Annual franchise exhibition described as the world's largest, held at Expo Center Norte in São Paulo, bringing together hundreds of exhibitor brands and thousands of prospective franchisees, with revenue from exhibitor fees, sponsorships, and booth rentals.
• ABF CON (Convenção ABF do Franchising) Largest annual franchising convention in Brazil, gathering sector leaders, franchisors, franchisees, suppliers, and specialists for networking, panels, and strategic discussion.
• ABF Franchising Summit Brasil Summit event focused on expansion strategies and business development for franchising networks in Brazil.
• ABF Franchising Week Annual week-long event bringing together the franchising sector across Brazil for networking, knowledge exchange, and celebration of the industry.
• Guia Oficial de Franquias Annual 300+ page official franchising guide published with Editora Lamonica, available for sale via Livraria ABF, profiling hundreds of franchise networks, industry segments, and investment opportunities in Brazil.
• ABF Educação / ABF Academy Educational platform and academy offering courses, a Field Consultant training course, and a mentoring program for franchising professionals, generating revenue from course fees, certifications, and content subscriptions.
• SEF - Selo de Excelência em Franchising Certification seal awarded by ABF to franchise networks that demonstrate high standards in franchisor-franchisee relationships, transparency, and operational excellence.
• Portal do Franchising Online franchise directory portal (portaldofranchising.com.br) listing franchise opportunities, suppliers, and service providers for prospective franchisees and the franchising ecosystem.
• Revista Franquia e Negócios Official ABF magazine covering franchising news, trends, interviews, market analysis, and sector-specific content, available in print and digital formats.
• Franchising Brasil Internationalization Program Internationalization program run with ApexBrasil that organizes trade missions, international exhibitions, and market research to help Brazilian franchise brands expand globally.

Quantifiable outcome

• 301.7 billion BRL in sector revenue tracked and reported by ABF
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Informa (Informa Markets)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Informa (through Informa Markets) is the co-organizer of the ABF Franchising Expo, described as the largest franchise exhibition in the world. Informa is responsible for the operational organization of the event alongside ABF. The Expo is held at Expo Center Norte, São Paulo.
• Caixa Econômica FederalcoreOthers · 1 October 2025Caixa Econômica Federal sponsored a panel at ABF CON 2025 titled 'A Jornada da Digitalização das Franqueadoras' (The Journey of Digitalization of Franchisors), with Juarez Leão (Leão Group) moderating the discussion.
• DOM Strategy PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025DOM Strategy Partners developed an unprecedented reputation index for franchise networks in partnership with ABF's Sustainability Commission. The study will measure the value of sustainability combined with company reputation using an indicators matrix specific to the franchising sector.
• SULTSminorOthers · 1 January 2025SULTS is listed as a sponsor of ABF Regional MG/ES events, providing support for regional franchising events and encounters.
• Unilever ProminorOthers · 1 January 2025Unilever Pro is listed as a sponsor of ABF Regional MG/ES events.
• ApexBrasilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024ABF partners with ApexBrasil (Agência Brasileira de Promoção de Exportações e Investimentos) on the 'Franchising Brasil' internationalization program. The program promotes Brazilian franchise brands internationally through trade missions, exhibitions, and market research. Recent missions include Argentina (September 2025), China, Costa Rica, Panama, and Argentina. The program has reportedly generated expected business of approximately US$920,000 from the Argentine mission.
• FIAF - Federação Ibero-Americana de FranquiascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024ABF is a member of FIAF (Federação Ibero-Americana de Franquias), the Ibero-American Franchising Federation. ABF participates in FIAF activities and its member representatives attend FIAF meetings. At ABF CON 2025, representatives from FIAF member countries including Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Portugal, and Uruguay were present.
• World Franchise Council (WFC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024ABF is a member of the World Franchise Council, a global body bringing together national franchising associations. ABF's logo appears on the WFC website as a member organization. The WFC logo is displayed on ABF's website footer.
• Informa MarketscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Informa Markets organizes the 'Rota do Conhecimento' (Knowledge Route), an educational space within the ABF Franchising Expo that includes the Livraria ABF bookstore where the Guia Oficial de Franquias and other specialist books are sold.
• SEBRAEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024ABF maintains a partnership with SEBRAE (Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas). The organizations collaborate on initiatives including the 'Novo Convênio ABF-Sebrae' that strengthens franchising and small businesses. SEBRAE supports regional ABF events in various locations.
• Editora LamonicacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021Editora Lamonica is the official publishing partner of ABF for the Guia Oficial de Franquias (Official Franchise Guide). The publisher produces the 300+ page annual guide, representing over 23 years of partnership with ABF.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• International Franchise Association (IFA): The largest franchising trade association in the United States, serving as the official industry voice for franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers. Functionally equivalent to ABF as a membership, advocacy, events, and education body, but serving the U.S. market rather than Brazil.
• Asociación Española de Franquiciadores (AEF): Spain's franchising trade association, providing advocacy and member services to Spanish franchisors. Functionally analogous to ABF as a national franchise industry body and fellow FIAF member, but for Spain.
• Deutscher Franchiseverband (DFV): Germany's franchising trade association, representing the interests of German franchisors and franchisees. Comparable to ABF in serving as the national franchise association with membership, ethics, and event functions, but for the German market.
• British Franchise Association (bfa): The UK's franchising trade association, focused on accreditation, ethical standards, and member services. Operates the bfa HSBC Franchise Awards and is structurally similar to ABF in serving as the recognized industry body, but in the UK market.
• Fédération Française de la Franchise (FFF): France's franchising federation, promoting and representing the French franchise sector since 1972. Comparable to ABF in scale, role, and longevity as a national franchise trade body, but serving the French market.
• Franchise Council of Australia: Australia's national franchising industry body, providing advocacy, education, and a code of conduct for the franchise sector. Comparable to ABF in mission and member-based model, but operating in Australia rather than Brazil.
• Canadian Franchise Association (CFA): Canada's national franchising trade association, providing advocacy, education, events, and member services to franchisors and franchisees. Operates the Canadian Franchise Show and is functionally analogous to ABF, but for the Canadian market.
• Asociación Mexicana de Franquicias (AMF) / MexBest: Mexico's national franchising trade association. Closely comparable to ABF in role, scale, and Latin American focus, and a fellow FIAF member; serves the Mexican franchising ecosystem with similar membership, events, and internationalization programs.

Others

• World Franchise Council (WFC): Global umbrella body of national franchising associations, of which ABF is a member. Functions as a peer network and international coordination layer rather than a direct competitor to ABF.
• Federación Iberoamericana de Franquicias (FIAF): Ibero-American Franchising Federation bringing together Latin American and Iberian franchise associations. ABF is an active member; FIAF serves as a coordination and standards body rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@abfoficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/abfoficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/abfoficial
• Instagraminstagram.com/abfoficial
• Xx.com/abfoficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ABF