The FEM MRCA exhibition held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) brought together a wide variety of local and international brands under one roof, creating a vibrant platform for business networking, franchising opportunities, and industry collaboration.
FEM MRCA further expanded its promotional reach through an integrated outdoor advertising campaign featuring both static and digital billboards across strategic
The Franchise Expo Malaysia (FEM) organised by the Malaysian Retail Chain Association has successfully gained nationwide attention through extensive media coverage across various major news and broadcasting platforms in Malaysia.
Malaysia's capital market has carried its strong momentum from previous years into 2026. Following a record-breaking 2025, where Malaysia topped Southeast Asia with 60 IPOs raising RM5.96 billion, Bursa Malaysia has set an ambitious target of RM28 billion in total IPO market capitalization for 2026
In the dynamic landscape of Malaysia’s SME sector, 2026 is proving to be a year of bold transitions. Among the most notable recent developments is the formal move by Inspace Creation Berhad, an interior fit-out specialist, to transition from a private entity to a public-listed company on the Bursa Malaysia ACE Market. With the application period officially closing today, April 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM, the company is poised for its trading debut on May 8, 2026. This listing is not merely a capital-raising exercise; it is a strategic blueprint for how service-based SMEs can scale in an increasingly competitive commercial property market.
dobiQueen has transformed from a simple coin laundry into a premium “Total Convenience” brand — offering on-site staff, pickup & delivery, and AI-driven site selection for investors. With over 80 outlets across Klang Valley and a strong buy-back guarantee, it’s built for those who want a semi-passive income with strong ROI potential.
Shift in Franchise Profile: Traditionally, franchisees were hands-on operators managing a single outlet, relying on family labor and seeing it as a full-time occupation. Emergence of Franchise Investors: Modern buyers approach franchising as a scalable investment model, aiming to build multi-unit portfolios rather than running a single outlet. Investor Characteristics: Seek professional management and centralised operations Focus on ROI, operational efficiency, and growth potential Often plan regional or cross-border expansion within ASEAN Impact on Franchise Brands: Brands must offer robust systems, multi-unit scalability, and transparent performance metrics Franchise agreements are evolving to include area development, multi-unit incentives, and exit/transfer clauses ASEAN Market Advantage: Large consumer populations, urbanisation, and familiarity with franchising make the region attractive Investors increasingly prefer brands that can replicate success across multiple markets New Franchise Model: Franchising is evolving from a “hands-on business” to an investable asset class, where strategic portfolio building takes precedence over lifestyle entrepreneurship.
Shift from Single-Unit to Portfolio Ownership: Modern franchise investors focus on owning multiple outlets rather than operating a single store. Territorial and Area Development Rights: Investors prioritize area development or master franchise agreements to expand strategically within a region or country. Centralised Management: Multi-unit ownership is supported by shared back-office systems for finance, HR, marketing, and supply chain, improving efficiency. Economies of Scale: Running clusters of outlets reduces costs and optimizes staffing, procurement, and marketing. Sector Trends in Malaysia: This model is particularly evident in Food & Beverage, Education & Enrichment, Healthcare & Wellness, and Retail/Convenience formats. Strategic Advantages: Building outlet clusters allows investors to spread risk, optimise overhead, and increase enterprise value, turning franchising into a portfolio investment strategy.