EVENT SCHEDULE
As of print date.
Monday, November 18
8:00 am – 5:30 pm Registration Desk Open
9:00 am – 11:00 am
CFE Session: Brick, by Brick: Your 7 Foundational Building Blocks to Franchisor Success
Additional Registration Fee
Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your franchise?
The unique franchise business model has long been hailed as an economic catalyst, providing entrepreneurs with the brand recognition, established systems, value proposition, and support necessary to achieve personal wealth and contribute to job growth across the economic spectrum. As a franchisor, you understand the power and potential of this model, but have you considered how you can best support your franchisees in critical areas such as real estate, construction, finances, acquisitions, second-generation planning, etc.?
Join us for this special session featuring Jerry Akers, a seasoned franchise expert, known for his remarkable track record of success and support. In this interactive workshop, Jerry will guide you through seven of the top building blocks that will lay a solid foundation for your franchise’s growth. With Jerry’s expertise and insights, you will learn how to transform your franchise dream into a practical, step-by-step success path for your franchisees.
Speaker: Jerry Akers, CEO of ZDynamix, President of Sharpness Inc., and Multi-Unit Franchisee of Great Clips & The Joint Chiropractic
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
CFE Session: Financial Accelerator: Turbocharge
Franchisee Sales and Profits
Additional Registration Fee
For early-stage and emerging franchisors, it is critical that franchisees achieve profitability as quickly as possible. In this dynamic 3-hour workshop, learn to coach franchisees to win the race to profit. That is, to grow to profitability before their cash runs out. Explore how to choose and use KPIs for effective sales management, set growth goals with an investor’s ROI mindset and create a culture of profitable growth from day one. This workshop blends proven high-level strategies and practical tactics used by the most profitable and successful franchise systems. Come prepared to learn and share in an interactive, high-energy environment.
Speakers: Barbara Nuss, CPA, Founder, Profit Soup; Larry Layton, CFE, Director of Franchise Services, Profit Soup
11:45 am – 3:30 pm
Franchisor Field Trip: Sport Clips, Inc.
Additional Registration Fee
Join your fellow franchisor attendees on a tour of a local Franchise headquarters and hear from their leadership. Bus departs at 12:00pm and arrives back at the hotel by 3:30pm. (Registration is limited to 25 people.)
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
CFE Session:Foundations of a Successful Franchisor
Additional Registration Fee
The critical systems every new franchisor must implement as they are expanding their brand. During this session Aicha Bascaro, Founder & CEO of the American Franchise Academy will review the 5 enterprise systems that allow franchisors to support the growing needs of the brand and their franchisees.
Speaker: Aicha Bascaro, Founder & CEO, American Franchise Academy
3:15 pm – 3:45 pm
Pre-Event Networking Break with Table-Top Exhibitors
3:45 pm – 4:30 pm
Welcome and Opening General Session: The Growth Leverage: Do What is Yours to Do
One of the biggest challenges for emerging franchisors is shifting from “doing” to “leading.” The decision to expand requires franchisors to think differently about growth, leadership and risk. In the opening keynote, you will hear real-life stories that will highlight
• The shift from “doing” to “leading”
• How to recognize opportunities to empower others
• The importance of creating a company culture that encourages initiative and ownership
Emcee: Dustin Hansen, CFE, Global Board Director, InXpress
Speaker: Monica Rothgery, Author and Keynote Speaker, US Army Veteran & Former COO, KFC US
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Conference Coach Roundtables and Franchise Business Speed Dating
Speakers and Task Force members will serve as conference coaches and will be paired up with a cohort of attendees to help guide at
least once before and during the program. Prior to the conference, at minimum, they have connected during the pre-conference webinar. The Conference Coach will help guide them through the conference and ensure they take away the education and solutions to help their brand. In addition, there will be an organized speed dating format led by the moderator for attendees to meet other franchise professionals in the room to share best practices and help build their network.
Moderator: Shannon Wilburn, CFE, Co-Founder, Advisor & Mentor, Just Between Friends
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
“Good Ole Time” Networking Event
Location: Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que
Enjoy an evening of live music, networking and camaraderie with your fellow attendees and meet other members of IFA team.
Tuesday, November 19
7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Registration Desk Open
8:00 am – 8:45 am
Plated Breakfast with Roundtable Topic Discussion
Sponsor facilitators to lead one 40-minute topic discussion.
8:45 am – 9:15 am
General Session: From a Van to Building a Franchise Empire
Sponsored by:
Go on an entrepreneurial journey with Nick Friedman as he highlights the transformation from a modest start to a thriving franchise brand over the course of two decades. In this session, Nick will reveal challenges, mistakes and valuable lessons learned, offering key insights into what it takes to build and sustain a successful franchise business. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this session will provide inspiration and practical strategies for navigating your own path to success.
Speaker: Nick Friedman, Co-Founder and Visionary, College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk and Moving
9:15 am – 9:55 am
General Session Town Hall: Lessons in Leadership
Join IFA’s President and CEO Matt Haller with IFA member seasoned leaders, for an informative town hall about growing and protecting your emerging brand. Each of these executives
will share their words of wisdom from decades in franchising, touching on what they would do again as well as what they would do differently if starting their brand over today. This session will include a town hall style question and answer opportunity for attendees, so come ready with your questions for the speakers!
Moderator: Matt Haller, President & CEO, International Franchise Association
Speakers: Sam Ballas, CFE, President & CEO, East Coast Wings + Grill; Shane Evans, CFE, Co-Founder & CEO, Massage Heights; Steve Hockett, CEO, Great Clips, Inc., IFA Chair; Gary Robins, President, The G&C Robins Company
9:55 am - 10:20 am Networking Break with Table-Top Exhibitors
10:20 am – 11:20 am
Three Concurrent Sessions by Stage of Growth & 1:1 IFA Board Member Meetings
Stage 1 (0-10 Units)
FRANDEV | MANAGING EXPECTATION: A FRANCHISOR’S JOURNEY IN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS
Join us for an in-depth discussion on setting realistic growth expectations for emerging franchises. While some new brands may add 20-50 units annually, that is not the standard. We will explore how to set achievable goals and celebrate yearly milestones. Key topics include understanding the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and its role in franchise sales, defining territory boundaries to ensure market saturation while avoiding internal competition and optimizing franchisee success, and managing sold but not yet open franchise units.
Moderator: Shannon Wilburn, Co-Founder & Brand Ambassador, Just Between Friends
Speakers: Tim Evankovich, Founder & CEO, Oasis Senior Advisors Franchise Systems, LLC; Steve Greenbaum, CEO, Tootl Transport; Manal Hall, Attorney, Dentons
Stage 2 (11-25 Units) Stage 3 (26-50 Units)
FRANDEV | FINDING AND OPTIMIZING THE PERFECT FIT: ATTRACTING AND SELECTING FRANCHISEES FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS
Securing the right franchisees is essential for the long-term success of any franchising business. This session will cover the critical aspects of attracting, vetting, and selecting franchisees who align with your brand’s values and goals. Attendees will
Sponsored
learn effective techniques to get the selection process right the first time and explore key criteria and qualities that make for successful franchisees. Come away with insights from those who have done it before and an action plan for your success.
Moderator & Speaker: Kristie Kalinowski, CFE, Director, Franchise Sales, Primrose Schools
Speakers: Emma Dickison, CFE, CEO & President, Home Helpers Home Care; Tony Valle, Managing Partner, Clear Summit Group
Stage 3 (26-50 Units) Stage 4 (51-100 Units) MARKETING | BUILDING YOUR MARKETING PLAYBOOK: DO IT FOR THEM OR TEACH THEM MARKETING…OR BOTH!
Set your zees up for success with the right marketing support for your brand. This session should include: the foundational elements of a marketing playbook. It would include brand guidelines, creative, marketing calendar, promotions, advertising channels suggestions, etc. The focus is to give the franchisees direction when planning out their local marketing.
Sponsored by:
Moderator & Speaker: Lindsay Simpson, Chief Marketing Officer, The Dog Wizard
Speakers: Marci Kleinsasser, Vice President of Marketing, Home Franchise Concepts; James Doyle, CMO, Pirtek USA
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Two Concurrent Sessions by Stage of Growth & 1:1 IFA Board Member Meetings
Stage 1 (0-10 Units) Stage 2 (11-25 Units)
LEADERSHIP | UNLOCK YOUR FRANCHISE POTENTIAL: BUILDING YOUR EXTERNAL DREAM TEAM OF STAKEHOLDERS, MENTORS, AND ADVISORS
Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Discover the key players who will propel your growth and success! Join us for a dynamic breakout session designed specifically for emerging franchisors. Learn how to assemble a powerhouse team that includes essential external stakeholders like accountants, attorneys, key suppliers, and franchise consultants. In this session, you will:
• Identify the critical roles and individuals needed to support your franchising journey.
• Explore the benefits of establishing an Advisory Board and leveraging external expertise.
• Understand how to strategically align your team for maximum impact and growth.
• Gain insights from industry leaders and successful franchisors on building and maintaining a strong support network.
Moderator & Speaker: Michael Seid, CFE, Managing Director, MSA Worldwide
Speakers: Kim Gubera, CFE, CEO, Pirtek USA; Kim Hanson, CEO, LearningRx Franchise Corporation
Stage 3 (26-50 Units) Stage 4 (51-100 Units) TECHNOLOGY | HARNESSING AI INNOVATIONS: CASE STUDY FOR EMERGING BRANDS
Unlock the power of AI in your franchise business model at our dynamic, on-trend session! Discover how successful scaling franchisors have revolutionized their operations management, enhanced customer relationships, and driven growth and profitability through cutting-edge AI technology. From streamlining routine tasks and reducing costs to connecting with more customers on a deeper level, you’ll gain actionable insights and hear some inspiring success stories; and maybe hear about some expensive lessons also. Whether you’re new to AI or looking to elevate your strategies, this session will share with you the knowledge and tools to transform your franchise business. Join us and help lead the future of franchising!
by:
Moderator & Speaker: Kris Stuart, Founder/COO, Bloomin’ Blinds Speakers: Clarissa Bradstock, Any Lab Test Now; MJ Worsham, Director, Restaurant Technology , Five Guys; Matt Favier, VP Restaurant Sales, SoundHound AI
12:30 pm – 1:50 pm Boxed Lunches with C-Suite “FRANHACK” Problem Solving Roundtables
This is a group activity that adds value to every attendee by connecting them with seasoned franchising and operations experts (“mentors”) in a problem- solving setting. Come prepared with a specific problem in your field you would like to find an innovative solution for. After a brief introduction, the mentor asks participants what their specific problem is and other attendees at the table can offer relevant feedback and ideas based on experience.
Moderator: Tony Valle, Managing Partner, Clear Summit Group
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Sponsored by:
Three Concurrent Sessions by Stage of Growth
Stage 1 (0-10 Units) Stage 2 (11-25 Units) FINANCE | AND HERE WE GO: HOW TO LAUNCH, BUILD, AND GROWS
Royalty self-sufficiency is the first major milestone of an emerging brand. Some brands underestimate when that will happen and create long term budgets on initial franchise purchase fees to run their
Sponsored
business, which are often overstated. So how much cash is needed, and what should an emerging franchisor plan for (and do) to make sure they have the cash to grow and thrive.
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Networking Break with Table-Top Exhibitors
Sponsored by:
Moderator: Steve Beagelman, CEO/Founder, SMB Franchise Advisors
Speakers: Chris Pena, CEO & Founder, Franchise Incubator and President & Founder, BODY20; Bill Hall, CFE, CEO, Treats Investments, LLC
Stage 2 (11-25 Units) Stage 3 (26-50 Units) FRANCHISE RELATIONS | SETTING THE STAGE WITH FRANCHISEES FOR EFFECTIVE FRANCHISE COACHING
What happens when a new franchise owner is handed off from development to operations? Gaps can form at this point, causing confusion and doubt with a new franchisee. This stage is crucial for reassuring new franchisees that their business coach is up to speed on their development and new franchisee onboarding and ready to take them from opening to success and profitability. This session would cover the meetings and expectation setting between the business coaches and new (or existing) franchisees so that both sides get more of what they want through understanding of the franchisor/ franchisee relationship. This is also a great time to define what makes a great coaching call and a cadence of calls or location visits.
Sponsored by:
Moderator & Speaker: Tam Kennedy, Franchisee, Owner, Taco John’s Speakers: Jackie Adams, CFE, Senior Director of Operations, Floor Coverings International; Jami Stigliano, Founder & CEO, DivaDance
Stage 4 (51-100 Units) OPERATIONS | UNLOCKING SYSTEM GROWTH AND SCALABILITY THROUGH UNIT-LEVEL ECONOMICS
Discover the key to a sustainable and scalable franchise model with robust unit-level economics. By mastering the financial performance of individual units, you can attract new franchisees and investors, fueling system-wide expansion. Dive into a comprehensive analysis of how revenue, costs, and margins that ensures each unit thrives financially can fuel your brand’s growth to the next level. Learn how Peer Groups can be a powerful tool for benchmarking and sharing best practices, propelling your franchise system to new heights. Don’t miss this opportunity to drive profitability and scalability across your franchise network!
Sponsored by:
Moderator & Speaker: Dustin Hansen, Global Board of Directors, InXpress
Speakers: Sam Ballas, President & CEO, East Coast Wings + Grill; Anya Bokeria, VP of Corporate Ops and Compliance, Body20
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Conference Coach Huddle with Attendees
Chat with your conference coaches and share instant feedback which may allow for any redirection after this full day of content.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
General Session: Partnerships & Business Solution Roundtables
Another key to business growth is creating successful supplier partnerships. This session will kick off with an IFA Franchisor leader and supplier partner sharing how to create a successful business partnership. Afterward, there will be roundtable discussions lead by an exhibitor sponsor facilitator with a potential business solution for attendees.
Moderator: Dustin Hansen, CFE, Global Board Director, InXpress Speakers: Todd Evans, Chief Franchise Officer, Franchise Group, Inc.; Rocco Fiorentino, CFE, CEO & Vice Chairman of the Board, Benetrends Financial; Abby Schmidt, Franchise Partnership Development Manager, Paychex, Inc.; Charles Thurston, CFE, COO, Wisdom Senior Care
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Reception with Table-Top Exhibitors
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Sponsored Dine-Arounds
Stress free networking – Need help taking the first step in forging new business relationships? Join a small group of franchisors to dine at a nearby restaurant. Get a taste of Austin while creating bonds with your fellow attendees. (For franchisor and franchisee attendees only. Pre-registration required.)
Wednesday, November 20
8:00 am – 12:00 pm Registration Desk Open
8:00 am – 8:45 am
Continental Breakfast with Table-Top Exhibitors
8:45 am – 9:45 am
Two Concurrent Sessions by Stage of Growth
All Stages
FINANCE | FOUNDER’S ONLY SESSION: CAPITAL, SEED CAPITAL, GROWTH CAPITAL, EXIT/LIQUIDITY EVENT, AND HUMAN CAPITAL: ALL MONEY IS GREEN – WHAT ELSE ARE THEY BRINGING TO THE TABLE?
Talking through the importance of qualifying candidates, establishing your system/structure while balancing a startup business in need of cash. This session will cover mindset and governance while you own 100%. When do you bring on capital (debt/equity), advisory boards vs actual boards. Transaction process and adjustments to mindset post transaction.
Learner Outcomes –
1. Turning lemons into lemonade: What I wish I did differently
2. Biggest mistake I ever made and best decision I ever made
3. The golden goose may not be the big PE Exit. Not all brands are meant to have the big exit
4. Franchisees need to make money
Sponsored by:
Moderator: Ron Feldman, Franchise Strategy Solutions & Board Member, Apple Pie
Moderator & Speaker: Paul Preston, Co-Founder, Aqua-Tots School Holding, LLC
Speakers: Edward Logan, CEO & President, Sport Clips; Gordon Logan, Chairman & Founder, Sports Clips
All Stages TECHNOLOGY | MASTERING EARLY ADOPTION OF TECHNOLOGY AND DATA-DRIVEN STRATEGIES FOR EMERGING FRANCHISORS
This integrated session will provide the knowledge and tools needed to leverage digital technology and data-driven strategies, ensuring your franchise’s growth and success. Specific topics covered will be Early Adoption of Digital Technology, Navigating Technology for Early-Stage Franchise Brands, and Leveraging Data to build an initial set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Sponsored by:
Moderator: Siddharth Desai, Chief Digital & Technology Office, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Corp.
Speakers: Kris Douglas, Vice President, Technology, Smalls Sliders; Robin Gagnon, CEO/Co-Founder, We Sell Restaurants; Andrea Hohermuth, President, FASTSIGNS
9:45 am - 10:00 am
Networking Break with Table-Top Exhibitors
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Three Concurrent Sessions by Stage of Growth & 1:1 IFA Board Member Meetings
Stage 1 (0-10 Units) Stage 2 (11-25 Units) OPERATIONS | SETTING THE BAR: ESTABLISHING MINIMUM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR FRANCHISEES
Establishing and enforcing minimum performance standards is essential for the long-term success of an emerging franchisor. By setting clear expectations, providing support, and fostering a culture of accountability, franchisors can ensure their network operates at a high level, driving growth and maintaining brand integrity. This includes setting early standards for the production of financial reports and setting a defined chart of accounts for benchmarking as the system grows.
Sponsored by:
Moderator: Whitney Mann, Sr. VP of Brand Operations, East Coast Wings
Speakers: Mitch Cohen, Franchisee, Sola Salon Suites & Jersey Mike’s Sub; Jaime Denney, Vice President, Franchise Operations, Scooter’s Coffee; Angelique McMillan, Vice President, Marketing, Handyman Connection
Stage 1 (0-10 Units) Stage 2 (11-25 Units) MARKETING | EFFECTIVE LEAD GENERATION STRATEGIES FOR EMERGING FRANCHISORS
Where Do I Spend My Marketing Dollars - Franchise Development or Consumer?Unlock the secrets to maximizing your marketing investments in our session on “Effective Lead Generation Strategies for Emerging Franchisors.” In today’s competitive landscape, knowing where to allocate your marketing budget can make or break your franchise’s growth. This session will provide you with the insights and tools needed to make informed decisions on whether to focus your marketing efforts on franchise development (fran dev) or consumer marketing.
Sponsored by:
Moderator & Speaker: Will Fraker, VP of Brand and Performance Marketing, Good Feet Worldwide
Speakers: Angela Paules, CFE, Chief Marketing Officer, Buzz Franchise Brands; Erin Snyder, Vice President, Franchise Development, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
Stage 3 (26-50 Units) Stage 4 (51-100 Units) LEADERSHIP/RECRUITMENT | ASSEMBLING YOUR INTERNAL FRANCHISE DREAM TEAM: STRATEGIC HIRING AND BUDGET-FRIENDLY SOLUTIONS FOR EXPLOSIVE GROWTH
You bootstrapped yourself this far - hiring the right team at the right time is crucial for scaling your franchise, even when budget constraints are a challenge. This session will guide you through
the process of identifying key roles, including when to hire key leadership talent, and how to attract top talent without breaking the bank. Learn from experts who have built successful teams on a budget and discover best practices for recruitment, onboarding, and retaining high-performing leaders.
Moderator & Speaker: Tracy Panase, CFE, CEO, Just Between Friends
Speakers: Shane Evans, CFE, Co-Founder & CEO, Massage Heights; Whitney White, CEO, Wise Coatings
11:15 am – 12:00 pm
Closing General Session: Building Trust to Build a High Growth Franchise
• How to use purposeful communication to followers to give clarity to the organization
• Why the right mix of empathy and accountability creates trust
• Real world actions (to include responsible franchising) that build trust with your franchise owners and teams
• Building a team of experts that create trust with their expertise and transparency
• The Shadow you cast as a leader – doing what is yours to do
Speaker: Mary Kennedy Thompson, CFE, Chief Executive Officer, BNI
12:00 pm Conference Adjourns
FRANCHISING WORLD - EMERGING FRANCHISOR ISSUE
Read the Emerging Franchisor Issue of Franchising World Magazine in your registration bag, or scan the QR code below!
400+ franchisors use Listen360 to create wildly loyal customers that boost reputation, attract new business, and drive revenue.
