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When you hear the words franchising and licensing, your first thought might be about boardrooms, investors, and big business deals. But as Franchising & Licensing Asia (FLAsia) celebrates its 20th edition from 18–20 September 2025 at Marina Bay Sands, this year’s showcase proves that it’s so much more.
FLAsia isn’t just for entrepreneurs — it’s also a stage for jobseekers, mid-career switchers, students, and creatives to find new opportunities, make meaningful connections, and even step into the colourful world of pop culture design.
“FLAsia has always held a special place in Singapore’s franchising and licensing journey. It’s where ideas spark, partnerships form, and businesses take their first steps toward growth. As we mark SG60, I’m proud FLAsia continues to be a trusted stage for entrepreneurs and brands.” – Mr Gan Shee Wen, President, Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore)
Organised by the Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore) and Constellar, FLAsia 2025 cements its reputation as Asia’s premier franchising and licensing marketplace, serving as a launchpad for cross-border business expansion, innovation, and collaboration, bringing together over 250 brands from more than 50 countries and regions, alongside 4,500+ industry attendees.
Here’s why I think FLAsia 2025 is going to be one of the most exciting editions yet.
Career & Growth Opportunities: Beyond Just Business
This year, FLAsia is debuting its first-ever Career Fair on 20 September. And it’s not your usual job fair where you shuffle through brochures.
Imagine walking into a space buzzing with employers from big names like AIA, Popeyes, Exceltec, FastJobs, and Kim Yew Integrated, all ready to meet people looking for a fresh start or a new path. Whether you’re a student exploring your first step into franchising and retail, or a mid-career professional thinking of a switch, this is your chance to connect directly with industry players.
Themed “Empowering Franchising and Licensing Success in Asia,” FLAsia 2025 will showcase a diverse mix of franchise concepts and licensable IPs across food & beverage, education, wellness, lifestyle, and retail.
What’s exciting is that the fair isn’t just about recruitment. It’s about upskilling and future-ready roles, with support from OOm Institute, e2i, Lifelong Learning SG, and FastJobs FastGig. It feels like the organisers are saying: “We’re not just growing brands, we’re growing people too.”
Aligned with Singapore’s SG60 celebrations, this initiative reinforces a bigger story: building a workforce that’s adaptable, innovative, and ready for the next wave of opportunities.
Knowledge Arena: Learning Made Accessible
Beyond the fair, there’s the Knowledge Arena, running across all three days of FLAsia. This is where learning becomes hands-on and modular, where there are panels, workshops, roundtables, and even a brand-new Chinese-language conference, supporting Mandarin-speaking entrepreneurs with strategies on regional expansion, AI adoption, financing, and supply chain localisation.
I love that they’ve included the Singapore–Asia Franchising Conference conducted in Mandarin, co-organised with Asiawide Franchise Consultants. It’s a thoughtful touch, opening doors for Mandarin-speaking business owners and investors to access the same insights on AI adoption, supply chain localisation, financing, and cross-border expansion.
Another highlight of FLAsia 2025 will also be the debut of the Chinese-language conference, co-organised with Asiawide Franchise Consultants and supported by BOSSES Network, making the event more inclusive than ever.
Creativity Meets Commerce: A Playground for Designers & Pop Culture Lovers
Of course, it wouldn’t be Huney’Z World if I didn’t dive into the fun, design-forward side of things!
One of the highlights I’m looking forward to is the Design WAH! Showcase, presented with Creativeans and part of Singapore Design Week 2025. This space celebrates Singapore’s rising creative talents, from polytechnics like Temasek and Nanyang, to NAFA, MAGES Art, and 3dsense Media School.
Original characters, playful designs, bold product concepts, and even pattern prototypes that could one day become the next Hello Kitty, Rilakkuma, or Pokémon will be on display. It’s a vivid reminder that design isn’t just art — it’s a business powerhouse.
And speaking of pop culture, the Licensing Village is like a treasure chest.If you’ve ever wondered how your favourite characters leap from screen to lifestyle products, like Bandai Namco’s game and toy IPs, Avex Asia’s licensing gems (Pokémon, Rilakkuma, Sonic the Hedgehog), and Korea’s BMSmile with its cheeky Wiggle Wiggle brand, this is where you’ll see creativity turn into commerce.
It’s basically a playground for creatives, designers, and pop culture fans, showing how ideas can cross into fashion, food, retail, or even education. Link to exhibitors list - https://designwah.sg/.
Celebrating Excellence: FLA Awards 2025
The opening ceremony on 18 September will be officiated by Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Trade and Industry, who will also present the FLA Awards 2025.
This year’s awardees include:
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KC Group – Fastest-growing brands (Kskin and Clippers Barber)
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Anytime Fitness
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Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks (Snack Empire Holdings)
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Hua Cheng Education Centre
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Mount Faber Leisure Group
These winners exemplify excellence in brand development, scalability, and global competitiveness.
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New-to-Market Debuts
FLAsia 2025 will spotlight innovative first-time entrants, including:
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Bibijae – Michelin Bib Gourmand brand from Busan, modernising Korea’s iconic Bibimbap
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BMSmile – Korea’s playful lifestyle IP brand Wiggle Wiggle, debuting in Singapore
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Bobae F&B Group – Innovative Korean dining operator with global ambitions
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Crown HOF – Premium beer pub with slow-aged brews
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Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC – Heritage brand showcasing authentic Ceylon tea
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MapleBear – Global bilingual education provider with 65,000 students across 40 countries
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rumeL – Singapore’s first Neapolitan sourdough pizza concept by Hersing Culinary and award-winning chef Silvo Gropelli
These exciting newcomers join an impressive roster of over 250 international brands.
“As a brand built on playful creativity, FLAsia gives us the perfect platform to showcase our Wiggle Wiggle IP to a global audience and explore new partnerships.”
– Ms Lily Park, CEO, BMSmile RHQ Singapore
Why It All Matters
Franchising and licensing aren’t just about scaling businesses, they’re about creating jobs, fuelling creativity, and opening new pathways for people from all walks of life.
Whether you’re:
a jobseeker exploring new career opportunities,
a student curious about creative careers, or
a pop culture lover who wants to see how design transforms into global brands…
FLAsia 2025 has something for you.
As Singapore celebrates SG60, this landmark 20th edition feels especially meaningful. It shows how far we’ve come as a hub for innovation, and how much further we can go when business, talent, and creativity come together.
So… are you ready to step into a space where careers grow and creativity meets commerce?For more details and to register, visit the FLAsia website or follow updates on LinkedIn and Facebook.
