2026-2027 Cohort Learning Journey Map
Welcome to the 2026-27 Franchise Ascension Initiative! The Franchise Ascension Initiative (FAI) is a six-month franchise accelerator program implemented by the IFA Foundation. It is designed to provide aspiring franchise owners with the essential knowledge, resources, mentorship, and support needed to confidently pursue franchise ownership. Throughout this guided experience, participants will engage in a dynamic blend of: Structured online courses Interactive and experiential learning Mentorship from accomplished franchise leaders This journey is led by a team of franchise professionals, educators, and leaders representing all aspects of the franchise business model — from start-up and launch to expansion, growth, and long-term success. Participants will benefit from real-world insights and practical tools designed to help them take meaningful steps toward business ownership. A highly qualified group of individuals has been selected to join the 2026-27 cohort. Over the course of the program, participants will complete structured coursework, engage in collaborative learning, and develop a comprehensive business plan tailored to a hypothetical franchise concept. The program culminates with the 2026-27 FAI capstone project —a final demonstration of each participant’s knowledge, strategy, and readiness, built over months of learning and preparation. The learning journey map is included in this document and is subject to updates throughout the program. Participants will be guided step-by-step through the full learning journey and will have 24/7 access to all program materials, resources, and updates via IFA Academy. For questions or assistance anytime throughout your journey, please reach out at dsmith@franchise.org.
Week 1 | August 24 - 30, 2026 Activity IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
Topic Introduction to Franchising Video learning via Liniger Center on Franchising, University of Denver
Est. Time 10 hours
Week 2 | August 31 - September 6, 2026
IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
Podcasts & Interviews Listen to the podcast, “Exploring the Role and Impact of the International Franchise Association with Matthew Haller and Jennifer Brandeen,” with Dr. Kathleen Gosser, Director, Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence & Yum! Associate Professor of Franchise Management
2 hours
Listen to the podcast, “From Howard Law to Crunch Fitness: Chequan Lewis on Leadership, Franchising and Building Belonging.”
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Independent Work
Overview of the Business Plan Template Virtual learning w/ Gary Masterson, Professor, University of Louisville
1 hour
Become familiar with the franchise business plan template sections Explore franchise opportunities Consult your mentor as needed for assistance 2+ hours As you explore franchise opportunities – pay attention to the sections of your business plan and create a matrix for comparison of key areas within the various franchise opportunities you are exploring.
Week 3 | September 7 - 13, 2026 LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Foundations of Franchising Welcome & Orientation Tuesday, September 8 at 5:00pm ET Virtual introductory session with Dr. Kathleen Gosser, Director, Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence & Yum! Associate Professor of Franchise Management
1 hour
IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
Franchise Fundamentals (Week 1) Online learning with virtual subject matter expert guidance via Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence, University of Louisville
10 hours
Meet with your FAI mentor prior to the World Franchise Show
1 hour
Independent Work
Week 4 | September 14 - 20, 2026 IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
Independent Work
Franchise Fundamentals (Week 2) Online learning with virtual subject matter expert guidance via YUM! Center for Global Franchise Excellence, University of Louisville
10 hours
Meet with your FAI Mentor prior to the World Franchise Show Review World Franchise Show Exhibitor List & Program Agenda
1 hour
Week 5 | September 21 - 27, 2026 IN PERSON (Travel Required)
IFA World Franchise Show - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Sept 24-25
Week 6 | September 28 - October 4, 2026 IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
IFA Fran-Guard™ - Part 1 Topic 1 - Background of Fran-Guard Topic 2 - Building a Culture of Compliance Topic 3 - Disclosure Topic 4 - Registration
4 hours
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Brand Presentation
1 hour
Week 7 | October 5 - 11, 2026 IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
IFA Fran-Guard™ - Part 2 Topic 5 - Financial Performance Representations Topic 6 - Violations & Consequences Topic 7 - Wrap up Final Quiz
4 hours
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Brand Presentation
1 hour
Week 8 | October 12 - 18, 2026
IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Independent Work
Profit Soup Series 1: A Fresh Perspective on Financials Measure, Understand, Get it Done! Financial Statements: Where the Story of Your Business is Told Profit Soup Series 5: Breakeven PLUS Series Profit is Not Optional Complete Breakeven Basics Better Decision-Making with Breakeven Plus Building Your Profit Maker’s Intuition
Brand Presentation
Explore franchise opportunities Continue engaging with your mentor
1 hour
3 hours
1 hour
2+ hours
Week 9 | October 19 - 25, 2026 LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Cohort Deep Dive: Franchise Finance A Facilitated by Barbara Nuss, CEO, Profit Soup
1 hour
Independent Work
Continued exploration of franchise opportunities and topics. Engage with your mentor, and build on previous weeks’ assignments.
2+ hours
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Brand Presentation
1 hour
Week 10 | October 26 - November 1, 2026 IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
Profit Soup Series 2: Better Financials, Better Decisions Your Income Statement Your Balance Sheet Tips for Better Books
3 hours
Independent Work
Continued exploration of franchise opportunities and topics. Engage with your mentor, and build on previous weeks’ assignments.
2+ hours
Brand Presentation: Chick-fil-A Wednesday, October 28 | 5:00pm ET
1 hour
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Week 11 | November 2 - 8, 2026 LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Independent Work
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Cohort Deep Dive: Franchise Finance B Facilitated by Barbara Nuss, CEO, Profit Soup
1 hour
Continued exploration of franchise opportunities and topics. Engage with your mentor, and build on previous weeks’ assignments.
2+ hours
Brand Presentation
1 hour
Week 12 | November 9 - 15, 2026
IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
Profit Soup Series 3: Evaluating Financial Performance Your Cash Flow Using Business Ratios Benchmark Your Franchise Business Profit Soup Series 4: Building a Business Improvement Plan Case Study: Metro City Hardware Your Own Business (review this quickly, spend your time on the case study
3 hours
2 hours
Independent Work
Continued exploration of franchise opportunities and topics. Engage with your mentor, and build on previous weeks’ assignments.
2+ hours
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Brand Presentation
1 hour
Week 13 | November 16 - 22, 2026 LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Independent Work
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Cohort Deep Dive: Franchise Finance C Facilitated by Barbara Nuss, CEO, Profit Soup
1 hour
Continued exploration of franchise opportunities and topics. Engage with your mentor, and build on previous weeks’ assignments.
2+ hours
Brand Presentation
1 hour
Week 14 | November 23 - 29, 2026 No new content. Please make sure you are caught up on all previous modules, and enjoy your holiday break!
Week 15 | November 30 - December 6, 2026 IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
Franchise Marketing Certificate: Part I Introduction Module 1: Franchise Marketing Module 2: Franchise Digital Marketing Module 3: More Traditional Advertising Options
4 hours
Independent Work
Continued exploration of franchise opportunities and topics. Engage with your mentor, and build on previous weeks’ assignments.
2+ hours
Brand Presentation
1 hour
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Week 16 | December 7 - 13, 2026 IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
Franchise Marketing Certificate: Part II Module 4: Other Brand Building Marketing Efforts Module 5: Marketing Extras Franchise Marketing Certificate: Final Quiz Certificate Course Completion
4 hours
Independent Work
Continued exploration of franchise opportunities and topics. Engage with your mentor, and build on previous weeks’ assignments.
2+ hours
Brand Presentation
1 hour
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Week 17 | December 14 - 20, 2026 IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
Podcasts & Interviews Watch the webinar, “Stronger Together: Why Inclusion Drives Franchise Growth,” hosted by the Pride Franchise Leadership Council (PFLC).
1 hour
Independent Work
Continued exploration of franchise opportunities and topics. Engage with your mentor, and build on previous weeks’ assignments.
2+ hours
Brand Presentation
1 hour
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Week 18-19 | December 21 - January 3, 2026 No new content. Please make sure you are caught up on all previous modules, and enjoy your holiday break!
Week 20 | January 4 - 10, 2026 IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
Team Building: Build Stronger Teams, Drive Better Results
1 hour
Independent Work
Business Plan Focus: Operations & Management Draft your organizational structure. Identify your internal team and external advisors (e.g., legal, financial, consultants), and define roles that support long-term success.
2+ hours
Brand Presentation
1 hour
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Week 21 | January 11 - 17, 2026 IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
2026 Annual Convention On Demand: Franchise Relations Track
3 hours
Independent Work
Business Plan Focus: Management & Organization Draft your organizational structure. Identify your internal team and external advisors (e.g., legal, financial, consultants), and define roles that support long-term success.
2+ hours
Brand Presentation
1 hour
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Week 22 | January 18 - 24, 2026 IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
Leadership Skills vs. Management
1 hour
Independent Work
Business Plan Focus: Startup Expenses & Capitalization and Financial Plan Create your startup budget, outline funding sources, and develop basic financial projections including cash flow, break-even analysis, and profit/loss estimates.
2+ hours
Brand Presentation
1 hour
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Week 23 | January 25 - 31, 2026 IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
2026 IFA Annual Convention On Demand: Franchise Technology & Data Pathways
3 hours
Independent Work
Business Plan Focus: Operational Plan (Refinement) / Financial Plan (Refinement) Integrate technology tools and platforms into your operations and financial planning. Identify scalable tech systems that enhance efficiency and track performance.
1.5+ hours
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Brand Presentation
1 hour
Week 24 | February 1 - 7, 2026 IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
Strategic Thinking Skills: Which Business Strategy? Fundamental Choices
1 hour
Independent Work
Business Plan Focus: Company Description / Strategic Growth Roadmap Write your company description, including your mission, vision, business model, and brand identity. Then draft your strategic growth plan outlining goals for expansion in Years 1, 3, and 5.
3+ hours
Brand Presentation
1 hour
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Week 25 | February 8 - 14, 2026 IFA Academy (Self- Paced Online Learning)
Independent Work
Trust in Franchising
1 hour
Finalize Capstone Project (Tips) Demonstrate understanding of franchise business fundamentals Reflect on key program takeaways Present a compelling vision for growth and leadership
3+ hours
If presenting, finalize presentation slide deck (4–6 slides), rehearse delivery, and complete your full written reflection.
LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Classroom
Brand Presentation
1 hour
Week 26 | February 15 - 21, 2026 LIVE FULL COHORT Virtual Peer Coaching
Independent Work
Presentation structure and storytelling tips Cohort team member idea share and feedback Slide deck and presentation time management tips
Finalize Capstone Project (Tips) Demonstrate understanding of franchise business fundamentals Reflect on key program takeaways Present a compelling vision for growth and leadership
If presenting, finalize presentation slide deck (4–6 slides), rehearse delivery, and complete your full written reflection.
2 hours
4+ hours
Week 27 | February 22 - 25, 2026 IN PERSON (Travel Required)
2027 IFA Annual Convention - Las Vegas Cohort journey review, networking, franchise education, peer learning Capstone project presentations Cohort graduation
Feb 22-24