Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA)

What Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) does

The Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) is a Kuala Lumpur–headquartered nonprofit industry association established in 1994 to support the Malaysian government's franchising development program, operated by a 24-person secretariat. It is the only association in Malaysia recognized by the World Franchise Council (WFC) and the Asian Pacific Franchise Confederation (APFC), and operates in formal partnership with the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), MATRADE, and Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PERNAS). Its service portfolio comprises membership, franchise directories (which absorb 85% of website visitor traffic), training programs (MFA Franchise Foundation and Certified Franchise Executive), legal and counselling services, media services, and a forum platform, anchored by two flagship annual events — Franchise International Malaysia (FIM) and the Malaysia Franchise Awards (MAF).

MFA's core products are organized around five service lines: Membership (recognition, networking, code of ethics), Franchise Directories (online brand discovery), Events (FIM exhibition co-organized with KUSKOP, MAF awards, and bilateral trade missions to China, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and Pakistan), Training (foundation courses and executive certification), and International Expansion (trade mission facilitation). The technical footprint is conventional: a website (www.mfa.org.my) with a business directory, an e-newsletter (E-Franchise Mind), and social channels (Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube), with no API, SDK, or proprietary AI/ML components disclosed.

MFA is a membership-based nonprofit rather than a revenue-driven company. Its revenue mechanics rely on membership dues, event and exhibition fees (FIM 2026 is targeting RM600 million in potential investments, up from RM424 million at FIM 2025), training and certification fees, media services, and government co-funding through KUSKOP for exhibitions and trade missions. Customer segments are diversified across franchisors/franchise brands, prospective franchisees and entrepreneurs, and SMEs exploring franchise conversion, with no disclosed anchor-customer dependency. The association's strategic role is to serve as the industry's policy-aligned convener, education provider, and international gateway under the National Franchise Policy 2030 framework.

Name

Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA)

Legal name

Malaysian Franchise Association

Website

https://mfa.org.my

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) is a Kuala Lumpur–based nonprofit industry body, founded in 1994, that supports Malaysia's franchising ecosystem through membership, training, events, and international trade missions for franchisors, franchisees, and SMEs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Franchise Industry Association Services

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education & Training Providers (EDABALAI)

Keywords

• Franchise association services
• Franchise development support
• Franchise training programs
• Franchise exhibition events
• Franchise industry advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Kuala Lumpur

HQ country

Malaysia

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

MFA is the national franchise industry association of Malaysia, offering a portfolio of membership, training, events, directories, media, and international expansion services to franchisors, franchisees, and SMEs in the franchise ecosystem. Its core deliverables include association membership, an online franchise brand directory, structured training programs (MFA Franchise Foundation and Certified Franchise Executive), flagship events (Franchise International Malaysia exhibition and Malaysia Franchise Awards), and government-aligned trade missions to overseas markets.

Product overview

Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) operates as a service-based organization offering a portfolio of membership, directory, event, training, and media services to support the franchising ecosystem in Malaysia. The core offerings include Membership for franchise industry recognition, Franchise Directories for brand discovery, Events (Franchise International Malaysia and Malaysia Franchise Awards) for industry exposure, Training programs (MFA Franchise Foundation and Certified Franchise Executive) for professional development, International Expansion services for global market penetration, Media Services for promotional support, and a Franchise Forum for community networking. MFA serves as the only association in Malaysia recognized by World Franchise Council (WFC) and Asian Pacific Franchise Confederation (APFC).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• World Franchise Council (WFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMFA is the only association in Malaysia recognized by the World Franchise Council, providing international legitimacy and networking opportunities for Malaysian franchise brands.
• Asian Pacific Franchise Confederation (APFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMFA is the only Malaysian association recognized by APFC, enabling regional franchise cooperation and expansion support.
• Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry that partners with MFA for franchise policy development, trade missions, FIM exhibition, and national franchise initiatives including DFN 2030.
• Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with MFA for international trade missions including Mihas@Dubai, bringing Malaysian franchises to global markets.
• Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PERNAS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational corporation that partners with MFA for franchise financing, PIFF exhibitions, and entrepreneur development programs across Malaysia.
• Franchise Asia PacificminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional franchise organization that coordinates ASEAN-level franchise activities and conventions.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Franchise Association (IFA): The largest and most established franchise trade association in the United States. Directly comparable as a national franchise membership body that advocates for the industry, offers training/certification, and runs flagship events and trade missions.
• Franchise Council of Australia (FCA): Australia's peak franchise industry body, providing member services, training, and policy advocacy. Comparable to MFA in its Asia-Pacific regional positioning and similar mandate to develop the domestic franchise sector.
• British Franchise Association (bfa): The UK's national franchise trade association, recognized under the European Code of Ethics for Franchising. Closely comparable to MFA in its role accrediting franchise brands, providing member services, and serving as the entry point for international franchisors in its home market.
• Canadian Franchise Association (CFA): Canada's national franchise association, providing membership, education, and advocacy services. Directly comparable to MFA as a country-level franchise association with government engagement and member accreditation programs.
• Asosiasi Franchise Indonesia (AFI): Indonesia's national franchise association and a fellow ASEAN/APFC member. Comparable to MFA in regional context, focusing on developing the local franchise ecosystem and supporting international expansion.
• Philippine Franchise Association (PFA): The national franchise association of the Philippines, a fellow Southeast Asian market with a very active franchise sector. Directly comparable in member services, expo organization (franchise show), and government engagement.

Broad incumbents

• European Franchise Federation (EFF): The umbrella federation for European national franchise associations. Comparable to MFA's own international positioning (WFC, APFC) as a multi-country franchise coordinating body, providing governance and Code of Ethics frameworks.
• Asian Pacific Franchise Confederation (APFC): The regional franchise confederation of which MFA is a member. Comparable as a higher-tier franchise association body that MFA belongs to, providing regional recognition and cross-border networking across Asia-Pacific.

Regional players

• Singapore Franchise & Licensing Association (FLA): Singapore-based franchise and licensing industry association. Comparable to MFA as a regional ASEAN franchise body, though operating in a smaller home market and serving primarily as a regional hub for international franchisors.
• Japan Franchise Association (JFA): Japan's national franchise association. Comparable to MFA as an APFC member representing a mature franchise market, though for a very different consumer demographic and regulatory environment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/franchisemy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCz7f9_TQupPyBtBNpUIImVA
• Facebookfacebook.com/FranchiseMalaysia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/franchisemalaysia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA)