RIYADH, 26 August 2025 — The Social Development Bank today launched the events of the "Franchise Go" commercial franchise forum in the capital Riyadh, with wide participation from entrepreneurs, brand owners, and local and international experts, and the attendance of a number of strategic partners.

Eng. Mu'aidh bin Nasser Al-Bishi, the bank's Deputy CEO for Strategy and Innovation, explained that the forum represents a strategic platform for expanding economic empowerment opportunities, allowing entrepreneurs to connect directly with brand owners and learn about proven success stories and business models that boost expansion and sustainability opportunities.

He noted that the franchise sector has become an important economic lever in the Kingdom, with its value exceeding SAR 53 billion and an annual brand growth rate of 27%, making it a key driver in diversifying the national economy and achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The forum's first day included dialogue sessions discussing the future of commercial franchising, and the opportunities and challenges in the sector, alongside a review of inspiring success stories. The day also saw the signing of cooperation agreements between the bank and a number of chambers of commerce (Al-Kharj and Al-Zulfi) and companies, aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and small and emerging enterprises, and boosting training, financing and digital transformation.

An accompanying exhibition on the sidelines of the forum allows direct communication with brand franchisors and exploration of successful franchise models. The exhibition also offers training workshops and individual advisory sessions delivered by bank experts and consultants from the Dallani Business Center, to help entrepreneurs prepare comprehensive operational and marketing plans.

The Social Development Bank launched a specialized financing track for commercial franchising in 2021, with a ceiling of up to SAR 4 million, flexible repayment periods of up to 8 years and facilitated guarantees, alongside non-financial services including training, qualification and consultations.

The forum's events continue over two days, as part of the bank's efforts to cement its standing as a key enabler for the commercial franchise sector, and to strengthen its role in creating quality jobs, developing less-developed regions, and expanding the presence of national brands regionally and internationally.