Issuu

Year in Review

2025: A Year That Redefined the Future of Franchising PG. 8

Reflecting on 20 Years of Growth, Innovation, and Purpose at Spavia Day Spa PG. 10

Building Momentum Through Innovation and Impact

How a Culture of Giving Back Fueled Double-Digit Growth PG. 18

Sport Clips Haircuts Elevates Client Experience With New Seasonal Scents, Custom SportsInspired Barber Chairs, and More… PG. 20

TECHNOLOGY & TRENDS 5 Ways to Optimize Your 2026 Franchise Marketing Strategy for AI

From SEO to GEO: How Generative AI Is Redefining Search for Franchise Brands PG. 28

How AI Is Rewriting the Rules of Senior Care PG. 32

Turn Your Franchise Website Into a LeadGeneration Machine PG. 34

How AI-Powered Influence Is Reshaping Franchise Marketing for 2026 PG. 38

PG. 24

PG. 14

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CONTENTS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025 • VOLUME 57 • ISSUE 6

YEAR IN REVIEW

Year in Review

5 Ways to Optimize Your 2026 Franchise Marketing Strategy for AI By Lizzy Young, CFE, Tidehouse

From SEO to GEO: How Generative AI Is Redefining Search for Franchise Brands By Steve Buors, Reshift Media 2025: A Year That Redefined the Future of Franchising

How a Culture of Giving Back Fueled Double-Digit Growth

Reflecting on 20 Years of Growth, Innovation, and Purpose at Spavia Day Spa

Sport Clips Haircuts Elevates Client Experience With New Seasonal Scents, Custom SportsInspired Barber Chairs, and More…

PG. 8

PG. 18

TECHNOLOGY & TRENDS 5 Ways to Optimize Your 2026 Franchise Marketing Strategy for AI

From SEO to GEO: How Generative AI Is Redefining Search for Franchise Brands PG. 28

How AI Is Rewriting the Rules of Senior Care

2025: A Year That Redefined the Future of Franchising PG. 10

Building Momentum Through Innovation and Impact

PG. 20

PG. 32

Turn Your Franchise Website Into a LeadGeneration Machine

PG. 34

How AI-Powered Influence Is Reshaping Franchise Marketing for 2026

How AI Is Rewriting the Rules of Senior Care

PG. 38

PG. 24

PG. 14

By Jerod Evanich, A Place At Home

FRANCHISE.ORG

Reflecting on 20 Years of Growth, Innovation, and Purpose at Spavia Day Spa

By Allison Langenderfer, Spavia Day Spa

Building Momentum Through Innovation and Impact By Amber Burke, Burn Boot Camp

Turn Your Franchise Website Into a Lead-Generation Machine By Scott White, Thunderly Marketing

How AI-Powered Influence Is Reshaping Franchise Marketing for 2026 By Liberty Bernal, Sweet Influencers

How a Culture of Giving Back Fueled Double-Digit Growth By Al Pellecchia, Wireless Zone

Sport Clips Haircuts Elevates Client Experience With New Seasonal Scents, Custom SportsInspired Barber Chairs, and More…

By Edward Logan, Sport Clips Haircuts 2 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

WORLD

FRANCHISING INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

FRANCHISE INSIGHTS

FOOD & BEVERAGE

The Evolving Restaurant and Beverage Industry: Innovation, Growth, and Emerging Challenges By Huaiyi Jiang, FRANdata

Beyond the Classroom: How Purpose-Driven Education Franchises Are Shaping the Future of Learning

EDITORIAL: Publisher Matt Haller Associate Publisher Jennifer Brandeen Editor-in-Chief Courtney Pettinella

By Navin Gurnaney, Code Ninjas

What I’ve Learned About Building a Franchise That Lasts By Kristen Denzer, Tierra Encantada

MARKETING & PRODUCTION: Creative Director Heather Bartlow Graphic Designer Catherine Marinoff

ADVERTISING & CIRCULATION: Advertising Senior Director Carly Wooley

Technology & Operations Director Sara Williamson

By Sharon Arthofer, Sip Fresh

Manager, Advertising Lauren Anderson

Industry Spotlight: Beverages

COLUMNS 4

From the Desk of IFA’s President and CEO

People & News

Featured Franchisees

FranPAC Report Card

Franchising World (ISSN 1041-7311) “Volume 57, Number 6,” is published by the International Franchise Association, 1900 K St., N.W., Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20006. For advertising information, call: IFA Advertising Department (202) 628-8000. Franchising World welcomes views and comments from its readers. Correspondence should be addressed to Editor, c/o Franchising World at 1900 K St., N.W., Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20006. Franchising World reserves the right to edit letters for publication and also reserves the right to refuse advertising. With the publication of Franchising World, IFA is not offering legal, financial or any other professional advice or endorsements. Readers are encouraged to seek advice from professionals in specialized fields before acting on any information published herein. The views and opinions expressed in Franchising World are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of IFA members or staff. Copyright © 2025 International Franchise Association.

Welcome New IFA Members November/December 2025 / FRANCHISING WORLD 3

From the Desk of IFA President and CEO Matt Haller

his year delivered major wins for the franchising community — victories that position us for even greater progress ahead. When we put out the call to make 2025 the “Year of Franchising,” we did so with confidence in this community’s strength. The results speak for themselves, but none of this would have been possible without the engagement and leadership of our members. While there are far too many accomplishments to list, there are several that stand out. Launching the year with a modernized brand and a fully redesigned website, IFA is positioning franchising for the future. The new site streamlines navigation by consolidating 11 platforms into one and introduces features built to support franchisees and elevate their stories. With the highest domain authority in franchising, our website reflects the depth of IFA’s impact and the strength of our community. On the policy front, the introduction of the landmark American Franchise Act marks the most significant proactive legislative development for franchising. This bill would finally provide long-overdue clarity on the joint employer issue after a decade of uncertainty. The bill entered the House with strong bipartisan support — a rare sign of unity that underscores just how essential the franchise model is to local economies. Alongside this effort, IFA launched a major, multi-year campaign called Franchise Means Local, an initial $5 million effort to shift perceptions and remind the public that franchises are small, local businesses. By elevating franchisee stories from across the country, we’re showing the real people behind the brand names and the impact they make in their communities. On the business front, IFA acquired long-time partner Franchise Update Media (FUM). Bringing FUM into the IFA family strengthens our ability to serve our members with unmatched industry insights, expanded storytelling capacity, and deeper connections across the franchise ecosystem. Each of these accomplishments reflect IFA’s commitment to meeting members where they are and delivering tools, data, and advocacy resources that match the needs of today’s franchise community. As we conclude the year and look ahead into 2026, IFA will carry this momentum into the new year. The 2026 IFA Annual Convention will be transformative — bringing together franchisees, franchisors, and suppliers this February to “evolve” into the business model of the future. The convention will feature many of the aspects of the IFA Annual Convention that you know and love and many new features to celebrate franchise excellence, unpack trends, and provide insights into the world of franchising. The future of franchising is bright. Thank you for everything you do for this community and the people you serve. Together, let’s make 2026 our best year yet.

Matt Haller President & CEO International Franchise Association

4 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

IFA’S MISSION

The International Franchise Association protects, enhances and promotes franchising.

IFA’S VISION

The preeminent voice and acknowledged leader for franchising worldwide.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Mary Kennedy Thompson, CFE BNI Chair Sam Ballas, CFE East Coast Wings + Grill and Sammy’s Sliders Vice Chair Gary Robins The G & C Robins Company Second Vice Chair

Steve Hockett Great Clips Immediate Past Chair

Rob Branca Branded Management Group, Inc. Chair, Franchisee Forum

Bill Hall, CFE Treats Investment, LLC Treasurer Robin Gagnon, CFE We Sell Restaurants Ron Feldman, CFE Chair, Franchisor ApplePie Capital Chair, IFA Foundation Forum Board of Trustees Marcia Mead M Squared Franchise Catherine Monson Consulting Propelled Brands Chair, Supplier Forum Vice Chair, IFA Foundation Board of Advisory Board Trustees

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Tushaar Agrawal Greg Flynn Marriott International Flynn Group

Jyoti Sarolia, CFE Ellis Hospitality Group

Jerry Akers Great Clips & The Joint

Karen Satterlee, CFE Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

Tiffany Atwell Ecolab Tom Baber IHOP / Money Mailer Marcus Banks Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Inc. Mitch Cohen Jersey Mike’s Subs; Sola Salon Suites Ashley Coneff Inspire Brands Adam Contos, CFE Area 15 Ventures John Crawford Jani-King International, Inc.

Nate Garn Sizzling Platter Matt Haller IFA Daniel Halpern Jackmont Hospitality Dustin Hansen, CFE InXpress Jon Hixson Yum! Brands

Heidi Schauer The Wendy’s Company Abby Schmidt Paychex Michael Seid, CFE MSA Worldwide

Stephen Shields Express Employment Harvey Homsey, CFE Express Services, Inc. Omar Simmons Exaltare Capital Earsa Jackson, CFE Management Clark Hill Strasburger Lynette Eaddy Smith Tam Kennedy Chick-fil-A, Inc. Twin City TJs Jesse Keyser Keyser Enterprises

Aslam Khan Randy Cross, CFE Falcon Holdings Fish Window Cleaning Lillian Kirstein Kimberly Crowell 7-Eleven Kalo Companies Rolf Lundberg Steve Danon Choice Hotels Restaurant Brands International International Ned Lyerly, CFE Emma Dickison, CFE Starheel Ventures Home Helpers Home Care Dave Mortensen Purpose Brands, LLC Jay Duke BDO USA, LLP David Ostrowe O&M Restaurant Clint Ehlers Group FASTSIGNS of Willow Grove, PA and Cherry Caroline Oyler Hill, NJ Papa John’s

Richard Snow

Amplify Franchise Financing Christine Son Dine Brands Global Jeffrey Sopp Kensington Hill Partners John Teza Hand & Stone Franchise, LLC Carolyn Thurston, CFE Wisdom Senior Care Larisa Walega, CFE Ziebart International Corporation Charles Watson, CFE Smalls Sliders

Steve White Tim Evankovich Todd Recknagel PuroClean Oasis Senior Advisors PCRK Group, National Franchise System, LLC Envy Development Tim Williams Williams Fried Chicken Shane Evans, CFE Laura Roberts, CFE Heights Wellness Gabby Wong Lali Ventures, LLC Retreats (Massage FranConnect Heights Franchising) Meg Roberts, CFE Tony Zaccario Head to Toe Brands Sean Falk, CFE Stretch Zone Al Rodriguez Just for Your Paws, Sport Clips LLC Rocco Fiorentino, CFE Azim Saju Benetrends Financial Ark Holdings Group

Visit constantcontact.com/franchise-webinar

PEOPLE & NEWS Top

People ON THE MOVE

Brad Smith

Brandon Ciaccio

Jennifer Durham

Marco’s Pizza has appointed Brad Smith as vice president of franchise growth.

Grasons has named as brand president.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop has appointed Jennifer Durham as senior vice president of franchising and development.

Brian Maciak

FullSpeed Automotive has appointed Brian Maciak as chief executive officer.

Ken Doty

Caring Senior Service has named Ken Doty as its chief operating officer.

Brands Expanding

Floor Coverings International has signed 15 franchise agreements in August and 30 throughout the third quarter. With 70 signed agreements year-to-date, the brand is rapidly closing in on its goal of 100 new agreements by year’s end.

MassageLuXe opened a Venice, Florida, location in October. The Venice spa is owned and operated by John Rowland, a Floridalicensed Property Manager, and his wife Veronique, a school teacher — both of whom have been longtime MassageLuXe customers. Their personal connection to the brand and professional experience in community leadership inspired them to bring the benefits of regular massage and skincare services to Venice.

6 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill has opened of its first-ever special venue location inside the world-class T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The milestone marks the brand’s debut in the sports and entertainment venue space, bringing fresh Mediterranean flavors to the bustling concourse of one of Las Vegas’ premier destinations for concerts, sporting events, and live entertainment. The new restaurant represents a strategic expansion by local entrepreneurs and brand co-founders Nick Della Penna and Trent Jones. The pair acquired the first Great Greek Mediterranean

Grill restaurant in Las Vegas in 2016 and after years of growing the brand’s footprint throughout the Las Vegas Valley, recognized that traditional real estate options were becoming more limited. To continue fueling growth, they began exploring nontraditional spaces.

PEOPLE & NEWS Franchising Gives Back Taco John’s continues its Wyoming expansion with a signed franchise agreement in Casper, slated to open in spring of 2026. The restaurant will be owned and operated by the Stilwell family — long-time franchisees of the brand. The opening will mark their tenth Wyoming Taco John’s restaurant and third in Casper — continuing a nearly five-decade legacy with the brand. The Stilwell’s journey with Taco John’s began in 1976 when Daryl and Lori Stilwell opened their first restaurant in Utah before relocating to Buffalo, Wyoming. Daryl later served as a field representative for Taco John’s International, while Lori managed operations locally. Their daughter, Lindsay, grew up inside the

restaurants, even spending her early years in a playpen in the back office. In 2008, Lindsay became Vice President of Operations for the family’s portfolio, overseeing growth and operations across multiple locations across Wyoming. Today, she is set to carry the family legacy forward with the new Casper restaurant.

Lindsay Stilwell

Anytime Fitness has opened its first club in Dubai. Dubai is a strategic gateway to the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, positioning Anytime Fitness for regional growth. Rising demand for tech-enabled, wellness-focused experiences in the UAE aligns perfectly with Anytime Fitness’ SmartCoaching and personalized health services. With this launch, Anytime Fitness now operates in 49 countries and territories, offering its 5 million members global access to clubs worldwide.

SPONSORED BY

My Salon Suite has raised $129,215 for its annual “Suite Relief” Fundraiser in benefit of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, exceeding its 2025 goal to raise $125,000 in support of the organization. For the seventh consecutive year, the entire My Salon Suite network has rallied together to support St. Jude’s life saving mission that provides quality care to children with life-threatening diseases. Through financial donations, the salon suite franchise has been able to raise over $946,000 to date, impacting more than 8,000 families a year. The top 10 My Salon Suite fundraising locations include: • New Centre Commons, North Carolina: Linda & Jack Bunyan • West Melbourne, Florida: Mike & Tonya Hilliard • Embassy Oaks, Texas: Aaron Gillaspie • Port Jefferson, New York: Scott & Lisa Neglia • Smithtown, New York: Scott & Lisa Neglia • East Meadow, New York: Rebecca & Brian Muellers • Westminster, Colorado: Tracy Ulmer • Pasadena, Texas: Aaron Gillaspie • Aurora Southlands, Colorado: Lashelle Taylor and Leann Reynolds • West Chester, Ohio: Darlene & Mark Bugajski

In addition to supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through its Suite Relief Program, My Salon Suite offers disaster relief grants to Members impacted by natural disasters, as well as educational scholarships that help both Members and students continue advancing their craft. In partnership with PBA Charities, the brand has awarded over $252,000 in disaster relief aid and $117,000 in scholarships to date.

Fish Window Cleaning Services, Inc., proudly commemorated Breast Cancer Awareness Month by providing complimentary, professional window cleaning services to women currently undergoing treatment and those who have survived breast cancer. This October, over 20 Fish Window Cleaning franchisees nationwide participated in this initiative to give back to their community.

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YEAR IN REVIEW

2025: A YEAR THAT REDEFINED THE FUTURE OF FRANCHISING By the International Franchise Association (IFA)

Year in Review Looking back, 2025 will be remembered as one of the most consequential years in modern franchising.

t the outset of the year, IFA President and CEO Matt Haller dubbed it the “Year of Franchising,” aiming to go on offense to strengthen and protect the franchise business model — and that held to be true. It was a year defined by collective momentum, clarity and connection — a year when the entire franchise community — along with policymakers and stakeholders — came together to support the business model that supports nearly 850,000 local businesses across the U.S.

February — A New Brand Identity and Website Designed for the Future

IFA opened the year with a major transformation: the rollout of a refreshed brand identity and completely redesigned Franchise.org website to better serve IFA members and serve as the centralized resource for franchise information. The redesigned platform is designed to make it easy for members — and those looking for information about franchising — to find resources, engage in advocacy, pursue professional development and networking, and learn about franchise opportunities. Most importantly, the website reflects the faces, stories and values of franchising itself — energetic, people-driven, and built for opportunity.

TECHNOLOGY

of ueled 8 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025 Growth

May — The First-Ever World Franchise Show Debuts

In May, IFA launched the inaugural World Franchise Show in Miami, Florida, the first global event designed to unite franchise leaders with franchise opportunity seekers in a new format that redefined the traditional “expo.” Thousands of attendees experienced an expansive, modern environment with multiple on-floor theaters, featuring some of the top franchising leaders sharing their expertise. The debut event featured participants from more than 40 countries, a welcome address by the Miami Mayor’s office, and highlighted the growing role U.S. franchising plays in global markets. From international expansion strategies to cross-border regulatory cooperation, the World Franchise Show quickly cemented itself as a new pillar of IFA’s global leadership.

April, May, June — Franchisees Bring Their Voices to the White House and on Capitol Hill In two separate committee hearings, four IFA franchisor and franchisee members testified before Congress on the urgent need for tax relief and clarity surrounding the changing joint employer standard. Their real-world stories underscored how uncertainty chills growth, slows hiring, and increases operational costs for locally owned franchise businesses. Their message was clear and bipartisan: franchisees want certainty and to be treated as individual small, business owners. Additionally, IFA and nine franchisee members were invited to attend an event at the White House to show their support — and the urgency — around passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which provided essential tax relief for franchise businesses. The presence of each one of these members in Washington helped set the stage for passage of

From SEO to GEO: How Generative AI Is Redefining Search for Franchise Brands

Turn Your Franchise Website Into a LeadGeneration Machine PG. 34

the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which included all of the provisions IFA advocated for to support franchisees, as well as major policy milestones that followed later in the year.

July — IFA and Franchise Update Media Announce Merger

On July 1, IFA acquired Franchise Update Media (FUM), combining the world’s leading franchising trade association with franchising’s most trusted source of news, data, and events. This merger creates unmatched value for the franchising community — integrating IFA’s policy, education and events leadership with FUM’s media, research, and event platforms — especially those serving the multiunit franchising community. Together, the unified organization strengthens everything from franchisee education to development benchmarking to major conferences such as MUFC, FCXC, and FLDC.

“

…IFA and nine franchisee members were invited to attend an event at the White House to show their support — and the urgency — around passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which provided essential tax relief for franchise businesses.”

September — Introduction of the American Franchise Act

After setting the stage for a landmark year for franchising, September brought one of the most important policy developments in IFA history: the introduction of the American Franchise Act (AFA). A new, bipartisan legislative approach designed to codify a clear, permanent joint employer standard, the AFA protects both franchisees’ independence and franchisors’ ability to provide brand support without triggering legal liability. The bill represents years of coalition-building by IFA, bipartisan champions in Congress, and thousands of franchise owners nationwide. Its introduction marked a breakthrough moment as it was introduced

by seven Republicans and seven Democrats — one of the most bipartisan bills introduced this Congress. Immediately following introduction, 400 IFA advocates came to Washington to meet with their members of Congress to push for the bill. These collective efforts have led to over 50 bipartisan cosponsors and over 100 groups announcing their support for the bill.

October — Launch of the “Franchise Means Local” Campaign Public perception has always been central to the health of the franchise business model and franchisee success. In October, IFA launched Franchise Means Local, a multi-year, $5 million nationwide campaign to reinforce that franchises are small, local businesses, rather than faceless corporations. Through digital storytelling, local media features, influencer partnerships, and grassroots engagement, the campaign is helping Americans see franchising not as a corporate structure, but as a network of neighbors: the family who owns your local gym, the veteran running your neighborhood salon, the mother of three who opened a child-care center in your town.

November — Franchising at the Presidential Stage

In November, an IFA delegation visited the White House for a policy discussion with Vice President J.D. Vance. The meeting, with IFA President and CEO Matt Haller and franchise owners, reinforced franchising’s role in job creation, community development, and upward mobility — and underscored the need for regulatory clarity to support franchise small business owners. Later in the month, nearly 100 IFA members were invited to attend President Trump’s speech at the McDonald’s Impact Summit in Washington, where President Trump thanked IFA and our attendees for their “fantastic work.”

A Year of Progress — And a Foundation for 2026

From a revitalized public presence to historic advocacy milestones, 2025 reinforced that the franchise model works — and that it works best when our community joins together. As we look to 2026, IFA will continue amplifying the voices of franchisees, advancing pro-growth policy, strengthening the value of membership, and elevating the voices in franchising.

November/December 2025 / FRANCHISING WORLD 9

YEAR IN REVIEW

REFLECTING ON 20 YEARS OF GROWTH, INNOVATION, AND PURPOSE AT SPAVIA DAY SPA By Allison Langenderfer, Spavia Day Spa

10 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

As Spavia Day Spa celebrates 20 years of redefining accessible luxury, 2025 has proven to be one of our most dynamic and purposedriven years yet as the nation’s leading provider of resort-inspired wellness experiences.

hat began in 2005 with a single location in Centennial, CO, has evolved into a national movement built on one belief — that wellness should be customized, result-driven and affordable. With more than 60-day spas now open across 25 states, Spavia continues to grow through thoughtful expansion, design-led development, and a commitment to care that reaches beyond the treatment room, affirming that wellness is the new luxury.

Expanding Our Footprint and Franchise Family

Spavia’s 20th milestone year was defined by momentum. We successfully entered two new states, Kansas and South Carolina, and we signed nine new franchise agreements in 2025, expanding development into Colorado, North Carolina, Northern New Jersey, Florida and Virginia. At the same time, our urban thematic, Sway by Spavia, signed its first two franchise agreements with locations planned for Dallas, TX, and Washington, D.C., in 2026 We also celebrated four new openings across several key markets this year. With a vision to reach 200 open locations within the next decade, Spavia continues to attract passionate entrepreneurs who share our mission

to create meaningful experiences that help guests relax, recenter and renew — solidifying our position as the leader in affordable luxury spa experiences while making a positive difference in the communities we serve.

Enhancing the Guest Experience Through Innovation

Innovation means listening to our guests and evolving to meet their needs. In 2025, we expanded our spa offerings to include Lash and Brow treatments and Cupping Massage Boosts, further elevating our reputation for result-driven facials and therapeutic massages. In 2026, we have plans to roll out additional innovative advancements, including Microcurrent Treatments to Spavia locations nationwide.

“

Innovation means listening to our guests and evolving to meet their needs.”

The new Lash Lift, Brow Lamination, and Tinting treatments help guests look and feel their best with longlasting results. Meanwhile, Spavia’s Cupping Massage Boosts use suction therapy to enhance circulation, release tension, and support muscle recovery, offering guests a deeper level of relaxation and performance-based results. For guests, these enhancements cement Spavia’s reputation as a well-rounded, one-stop destination for wellness and a place where monthly self-care routines can be elevated. Upon arrival, guests can split into plush spa robes and sandals, enjoy warm aromatherapy neck pillows, and relax in a tranquil retreat room with exotic teas and calming music. Each new offering gives guests a reason to return more often and experience more of what they love, reinforcing the trust and sense of personal connection that define every Spavia experience.

Making a Difference Beyond the Spa Through our national philanthropic initiative, Spavia Cares, our franchisees and team members continued to make meaningful contributions to their local communities beyond spa walls. In September, Spavia’s national team celebrated the brand’s 20th anniversary through a partnership with IMAGE Skincare and Blessings in a Backpack, raising over $32,000 to help feed children facing food insecurity.

November/December 2025 / FRANCHISING WORLD 11

“

We’re also leveraging insights from more than 54,000 guest experiences through our point-of-sale system to better understand what our guests value most and to use that data to refine our treatments and brand storytelling.”

At the local level, franchise owners across the country mirrored this initiative, supporting a variety of community organizations through donations. Now in its 20th year, Spavia Cares has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars nationwide and remains one of our proudest initiatives, a reflection of the heart that defines our franchise system.

Leading the Future of Modern Wellness

Our innovation story has continued to evolve with Sway by Spavia leading the next generation of wellness innovation. Designed for busy, modern lifestyles, Sway reimagines self-care for Millennials, Gen Z, and beyond, blending advanced technology with approachable luxury. The urban design first opened its doors in Denver in early 2025, quickly earning media recognition as one of the most anticipated wellness openings of the year. Sway’s Remedy Room is a dedicated space to enhance overall physical well-being, featuring scientbacked recovery modalities including a sauna, Normatec Lymphatic Compression by Hyperice, Cold Plunge, Sauna and LED Light Therapy by LightStim.

12 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

At the core of the Sway experience is Aescape, an AI-powered massage system that personalizes pressure and technique in real time, redefining the future of body recovery and the first of its kind in the state of Colorado. With new locations set to open in Dallas and Washington, D.C., Sway continues to be a natural extension of the Spavia brand and its mission to make self-care elevated and attainable in big cities.

Design-Led Growth and Data-Driven Strategy

Spavia’s foundation remains anchored in thoughtful design and operational excellence. Every location reflects one of our four curated interior concepts, Mountain, Coastal, Vineyard, or Sway (urban), allowing franchise owners to select a design that fits their community while delivering our signature resort-inspired experience. Strategic partnerships with leading skincare and wellness brands, including FarmHouse Fresh, Comfort Zone, IMAGE Skincare, and Pure Fiji, continue to strengthen our retail, gift and treatment offerings. We’re also leveraging insights from more than 54,000 guest experiences through our point-of-sale system to better understand what our guests value most and to use that data to refine our treatments and brand storytelling.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, Spavia’s strategy is to strengthen the foundation we’ve built while introducing new ways for guests and franchisees to experience the brand. We’ll continue expanding into key markets and refining our membership model to ensure lasting profitability for our owners and affordability for our guests. Equally important, we’ll keep investing in innovation that defines modern wellness, from technology-forward enhancements to personalized, result-driven facials and recovery treatments. Through every evolution, our mission remains to make a positive difference in the lives of others, one guest at a time and to create experiences that our guests can’t live without.

Allison Langenderfer is the co-founder and president of Spavia Day Spa, a Denver-based franchise transforming lives through resort-inspired wellness experiences. With more than 60 locations across 25 states, Spavia provides affordable luxury and promotes relaxation, recentering and renewing as core values. For more information about IFA franchisor member Spavia Day Spa, please visit franchise.org/franchise-opportunities/spavia-day-spa/.

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YEAR IN REVIEW

BUILDING MOMENTUM THROUGH INNOVATION AND IMPACT By Amber Burke, Burn Boot Camp

14 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

Looking back on 2025, three words define our year: evolution, energy, and empowerment.

ogether, our franchise partners, trainers, and members have strengthened the culture of community and impact that drives everything we do. This year has been full of significant milestones and meaningful growth. What started in the parking lot of a gymnastics studio has evolved into a revolutionary movement that continues to change lives — both inside and outside of the gym. As we reflect on the past year, our efforts have been guided by a relentless focus on franchisee success, innovative solutions, and a purpose-driven culture.

“

What started in the parking lot of a gymnastics studio has evolved into a revolutionary movement that continues to change lives — both inside and outside of the gym.”

Driving Growth and Success with Purpose

Our franchise partners are the heart of Burn Boot Camp. Each new opening and milestone achieved begins with the owners who share our mission to inspire, transform, and lead. In 2025, we expanded our footprint to 44 states and proudly celebrated 27 grand openings nationwide, with more new locations still to come before the year ends. Prioritizing a franchise partner-first model, we offer multiple revenue streams through our retail and Burn Nutrition lines. Furthering this commitment, we’ve also continued to invest in systems that support our owners’ success. From evolving our onboarding process to introducing new operational resources, we want to give each franchise partner the foundation

and tools they need to thrive. Behind every new unit, we’re building a brand where people come first, and where transformation is both physical and personal. Our network continues to grow stronger — not just in numbers, but in connection. Across the country, franchise partners are creating spaces where members lift each other up and celebrate growth together. That same spirit of collaboration thrives among our owners, 80 percent of whom are women. The Burn Boot Camp network is built on mentorship, shared best practices, and a genuine sense of community that fuels sustainable growth.

Inspiring Innovation Through Technology and Training

Innovation has been one of the top drivers of our progress this year — both in technology and in our approach to fitness and community. We introduced several initiatives designed with our franchise partners and members in mind. Our proprietary Burn Intelligence platform was built to empower franchise partners through a unified, trusted data system. This platform provides critical insights that guide decision-making and enhance operations. Instead of building a dashboard that primarily served corporate’s needs, we flipped the script on the traditional corporate reporting model and focused on what franchise partners need to successfully run their gyms. By integrating technology with our people-first philosophy, we’re helping owners make smarter, faster, and more meaningful business decisions. After launching our Burn on Demand app two years ago, we amplified our brand’s reach and visibility beyond the four walls of our locations. The app enables users to experience transformative workouts, shop retail and nutrition, track their goals, book camps, and more. We have a technology roadmap in place with plans to further improve the user experience and expand functionality.

November/December 2025 / FRANCHISING WORLD 15

at Burn Boot Camp, this recognition indicates the location has best in class culture, successfully maintains 600 or more members for a full year, and has a positive impact within its community. The “Mark of Excellence” award reflects the dedication of our franchise partners who go above and beyond to create a meaningful experience for our members. This program is reinforcing our culture and mission across the system by honoring owners who are true leaders. Every member of our Burn Boot Camp community — franchise partners, trainers, team members, and members alike — deserves credit for this momentum. Amidst these recognitions, the true reward is seeing our teams, members, and communities thrive.

We also expanded training and educational opportunities to ensure every trainer and franchise partner has access to the latest tools and techniques, helping them succeed while enhancing the overall camp experience. Our focus remains on helping all Burn Boot Camp members feel seen, supported, and strong. From refining programming to introducing recovery and wellness tools, we’re fostering engagement in communities across the country – showing what happens when innovation meets passion.

Creating a Culture of Community and Recognition

Success is not only measured by growth, but by the impact we can make on people’s lives. We were proud to be named to the Inc. 5000 list for the sixth consecutive year, further reflecting the dedication and drive of our entire franchise network. Burn Boot Camp was also named to the Franchise Times Top 400, rising 43 spots in the rankings, and recognized by Franchise Business Review as a Top Franchise for Veterans. Our focus on innovation and impact has also been acknowledged by industry leaders as we were honored with the International Franchise Association’s Most Innovative Use of Technology award, a testament of our commitment to shaping the future of franchising through creativity and forward-thinking. Internally, we established our “Mark of Excellence” award to celebrate franchise partners who are achieving exceptional growth and engagement. A significant honor

16 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

“

Innovation has been one of the top drivers of our progress this year — both in technology and in our approach to fitness and community.”

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we close out 2025 and build momentum into the new year, our mission for 2026 remains clear — to empower, innovate, and elevate. Burn Boot Camp’s priorities are focused on deepening the member experience, empowering our franchise network with next-level tools and training, and continuing to expand our footprint across the nation. The foundation we’ve built this year positions us to accelerate our impact and growth in 2026 and beyond. Every camp, trainer, and member contributes to something bigger than fitness. They are part of a movement that is building confidence through our message of strength and transformation. Through it all, our success is powered by our community. 2025 has proven that fostering meaningful connections drives lasting growth, and as we look ahead, we’re ready to continue that momentum — together. Amber Burke is the chief operating officer of Burn Boot Camp. For more information about IFA franchisor member Burn Boot Camp, please visit franchise.org/franchise-opportunities/burn-boot-camp/.

UPCOMING EVENTS 2026

February 23-25, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV

FRANCHISE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CONFERENCE

MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISING CONFERENCE

IFA ADVOCACY SUMMIT

IFA ANNUAL CONVENTION

June 2-4, 2026 | Atlanta, GA

Sept. 14-16 2026 | Washington, DC

March 24-27, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV

THE IFA WORLD FRANCHISE SHOW

INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE SHOW - LONDON

Sept. 25-26, 2026 | Ft. Lauderdale, FL

April 17-18, 2026 | London, England

Partnership event with Fortem International

FRANCHISE LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

IFA LEGAL SYMPOSIUM

May 17-19, 2026 | Washington, DC

October 6-8, 2026 | Atlanta, GA

IBA/IFA JOINT CONFERENCE

EMERGING FRANCHISOR CONFERENCE

May 19-20, 2026 | Washington, DC

November 9-11, 2026 | Nashville, TN

FEBRUARY 23-25, 2026 | LAS VEGAS, NV

Scan here to learn more about these events and plan your year with IFA!

franchise.org/events

YEAR IN REVIEW

HOW A CULTURE OF GIVING BACK FUELED DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH

KEY LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENT

EXECUTION OF CHARITABLE INITIATIVES

GROWTH AND SUCCESS OF OUR FRANCHISEES

By Al Pellecchia, Wireless Zone

For more than 30 years, Wireless Zone has supported hundreds of communities with reliable wireless services.

ut equally important is our commitment to giving back to our employees and customers, while embracing our culture of good. As we reflect on the year, three core pillars stand out: the growth and success of our franchisees, execution of charitable initiatives, and a key leadership appointment that will help us level up in 2026 and beyond.

Fueling Franchisee Success

In a year of double-digit growth, adding 44 new stores and more than 25 owner groups expanding with at least one location, our momentum has never been greater. With more than 770 franchise locations across the country, Wireless Zone is on its way to being the first wireless franchise with 1,000 locations. As our footprint grows, so do our operational efficiencies. At our convention earlier this year, we announced the rollout of our “Marketing Hub” interface

18 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

to help stores drive traffic. This simple, accessible tool provides a way for owners to easily manage their digital advertising, create and send SMS and email messages, utilize customized content and plans to support marketing initiatives, grand openings and more. We’ve also made significant investments in tools to improve customer segmentation and keep track of their data to deliver a better end-to-end experience across the customer lifecycle. Over the last few years and into 2025, our unit growth and financial stability has continued to improve. This year, we jumped more than 100 spots on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list, ranking at #91, further demonstrating our brand power. We also were recognized on the Franchise Times top 400 list, leading the category with a 41 percent increase in systemwide sales.

Supporting Our Communities

At the end of the day, our business is so much more than providing wireless services. We are deeply committed to making a positive impact in the lives of our employees, customers and communities. This is simply part of our DNA. In partnership with our parent company — Round Room, LLC — we hold quarterly initiatives that support a variety of organizations and demographics such as teachers, pet rescues and those affected by domestic violence. Our largest initiative that occurs every year is our “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway.” Since its inception 13 years ago, more than 1.5 million backpacks have been given to kids in need, and this year we also gave away a bus filled with essential supplies. One unique element of our culture is Round Room’s internal grant program which empowers anyone — whether they are a franchise owner or store employee — to contribute to a cause they are passionate about through a grant. In total, more than $8 million has been given over the years to over 1,600 nonprofit organizations, hospitals, and more. A particularly special moment this year was the surprise gifting of $40,000 as part of our “Get 10, Give 10” program. Typically, we randomly select a customer to receive $10,000 to donate to an organization of their choice and surprise them with another $10,000 for themselves. But since we reached our 20th winner, we decided to double the impact and gifted $20,000 to a hospital in Washington and another $20,000 to a local customer. Through these various programs and initiatives, we have redefined how a wireless retailer can connect with its communities and fostered a culture of shared purpose.

The Next Era of Wireless Zone

Another pivotal moment of 2025 was when I transitioned from being a longtime franchisee to the brand’s next executive vice president. Having started selling phones while I was still in college, I grew up in this industry and have seen it evolve firsthand. When I learned the company was looking to fill this role, I knew I would be a great fit because I have strong, existing relationships with the owners and know what it’s like to be in their shoes. When I stepped into this role, my number one priority was to help our franchisees become even more successful and be positioned for scalable growth, and that ultimately starts with the stores. One of the first initiatives we decided to execute was the restructuring of our regional managerial roles. This has allowed for more frequent and consistent in-store visits to support employees, which has driven higher employee engagement and stronger sales. Looking ahead, we want to continue to increase efficiency through automation, help field leaders identify areas for improvement, and further educate the frontlines on all services to ensure they’re being utilized. As we continue to grow our system and prioritize charitable contributions, we will create a movement that benefits the lives of everyone we impact — franchisees, store employees, customers, and the communities we serve. Al Pellecchia is the EVP of Wireless Zone, the nation's largest wireless retail franchisor with more than 770 independently owned and operated Verizon stores across the U.S. For more information about IFA franchisor member Wireless Zone, please visit franchise.org/franchise-opportunities/wireless-zone/.

November/December 2025 / FRANCHISING WORLD 19

YEAR IN REVIEW

SPORT CLIPS HAIRCUTS ELEVATES CLIENT EXPERIENCE WITH NEW SEASONAL SCENTS, CUSTOM SPORTS-INSPIRED BARBER CHAIRS, AND MORE… By Edward Logan, Sport Clips Haircuts

20 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

Larger successful franchises such as Sport Clips Haircuts thrive when we lean into innovation and client experience.

levating how the consumer experiences and perceives us is fundamental to how we differentiate and grow the Sport Clips brand. Recent survey results told us something important: our signature MVP Experience, which features a hot

steamed towel infused with tea tree oil, massaging shampoo, neck and shoulder treatment, and precision haircut, did not have the consumer awareness it deserves. As a brand built on delivering more than a haircut — on making it a moment — this got our attention. If our clients don’t recall the experience, how can we build loyalty? So, we set out to innovate that service to enhance it further and increase awareness. One of the most compelling pieces of our strategy emerged when we investigated the sense of smell as it relates to recall. Research from trusted sources tell us that olfactory signals go directly to the brain’s emotion and memory centers, meaning that individuals, particularly men, remember smells more vividly than other sensory inputs. That insight drove us to think differently. What if the haircut experience didn’t just feel distinctive, it smelled distinctive too?

“

At Sport Clips, we continue to innovate while sticking to what made us who we are.”

Armed with that information, our team devised a program to test scents men connected to most strongly, then layering that with naming and brand-equity work to make each scent a touchpoint. We determined which fragrances resonated with our predominately male clientele, how the names feel at first encounter, and which ones build brand equity and demand. We then approached naming with similar methodology, and the result was a scent portfolio that reinforces our MVP Experience in a way only we do…through sports. Our tea tree oil infused steamed towels combined with the scents of eucalyptus, lavender, chamomile remain a client favorite and are still core to our steamed towel treatment. But we’re now offering seasonal “Playmaker” scents with sports themes. In June 2025 we introduced Rawlings® New Leather Glove, a premier partnership with the legendary maker of baseball gloves and equipment, as well as Early Morning Practice Air, and Stadium Buttered Popcorn. The holiday season brings with it the scents of Cold Mint Plunge, Tailgate Huddle, and Halftime Chill. Another round of Playmaker scents is scheduled for spring 2026.

November/December 2025 / FRANCHISING WORLD 21

To further elevate the client experience, we’re rolling out upgraded barber chairs system-wide that are customdesigned with brand colors red and black fused into a cushioned, barber-style chair with ergonomic footstool and headrest. These new chairs have already been adopted by almost half of the system, offering clients ultimate comfort and stylists the elevated equipment they need. We expect full adoption by end of 2026. Comfortable, high-end chairs contribute to a client’s physical comfort and enhance the brand image overall. When you enter a store it’s a visual cue that we’ve invested in being more than just a haircut. They allow our stylists to cover cutting angles with efficiency, reduce fatigue, and deliver better results. I’ve often said that culture, values, and operational excellence are critical to our success, and this extends to the physical environment. These investments don’t stand alone. They support our operational strengths. • We continue to enhance our extensive suite of support services for franchisees and stylists in franchise locations. Sport Clips believes in the value of boots on the ground and in-person continuing education, and we deliver it through one of the largest field support teams in franchising. • We’ve also instituted a 24/7 free counseling platform for everything from mental health services to financial and childcare guidance. • Our THNKS recognition platform allows franchise owners and managers to show appreciation for team members. • The Sport Clips team member crisis fund, the McGlone-Gozur Relief Fund, has now contributed more than $6.5 million in grants awarded to team members facing emergent financial situations. • Our veteran-founded brand is proud to have launched and grown the VFW’s Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship program into the largest of its kind, with more than $15 million donated to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Foundation to support veterans’ transition into civilian careers

22 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

and help them grow and thrive long after. • And our Haircuts with Heart philanthropic reach continues with incredible organizations such as Dream Flights, American Red Cross, and St. Baldrick’s Foundation. For the first time this year, Sport Clips expanded its support to honor first responders by serving as an official sponsor of the World Police and Fire Games and offering hundreds of free haircuts to participants from the U.S. and around the globe. At Sport Clips, we continue to innovate while sticking to what made us who we are. We were founded on a core set of “Heart Of A Champion” Core Values; Do What’s Right, Do Your Best, and Treat Others the Way They Want to Be Treated. Leaning into our roots and company culture empowers us to add to the positives that keep Sport Clips growing. From the moment you sit in a premium chair to the sensory-jogging aroma of a steamed towel and the supportive culture behind it all, every piece connects. Our survey told us the MVP Experience lacked recognition. So instead of just tweaking it, we re-imagined it as a brand building moment. As a second-generation leader of a family-founded brand, I believe passionately in culture, values, and high performance. I often say to our leadership team that we must find our “lead domino,” the one movement that sets the others in motion. Enhancing environment, sensory cues, and service delivery was one such domino. Multiply that across hundreds of locations, and the effect is exponential. We continue to invest heavily in long-term success because we believe this brand can be more than a transaction; it can be a ritual, a habit, a moment in a client’s life. If we get everything right, the chair, the scent, the service, the culture, then our Team Leaders (franchisees), stylists, and of course clients, all win. Edward Logan is the CEO and president of Sport Clips Haircuts. For more information about IFA franchisor member Sport Clips Haircuts, please visit franchise.org/franchise-opportunities/ sport-clips-inc/.

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FEATURE

5 WAYS TO OPTIMIZE YOUR 2026 FRANCHISE MARKETING STRATEGY FOR AI By Lizzy Young, CFE, Tidehouse

24 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

With the new year just around the corner and over 400 new franchise brands each year (according to FRANdata), the franchise marketing landscape is more competitive than ever.

ith more digital channels, higher content standards, and AI at the forefront of it all, franchisors are also being challenged to evolve their marketing strategies like never before. Discussing these five considerations with your team can help you get ahead of your competition in 2026 — rather than scrambling to catch up:

Setting the Foundation for AI Success

From your website to social profiles, earned media, and local listings, AI evaluates both the quality and consistency of your content across the board. Much like SEO, GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), or how your brand appears in AI results, evaluates your brand’s E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Factors like channel diversification, authentic storytelling, executive thought leadership, media coverage, and usergenerated content play a critical role. Investing in your integrated digital presence ensures your brand is not just represented in AI, but that it’s represented accurately. If your website’s content is inconsistent, irrelevant, or overly jargony, you risk losing AI visibility. Think about what makes content easily scannable and trustworthy for humans: AI favors clear headlines, bulleted lists, shorter paragraphs, real data with cited sources, images, infographics, videos, and social proof like real customer and franchisee experiences. Q&A formats perform particularly well — if it’s easy to follow, it’s easy to pull from.

Where SEO Meets GEO: Navigating Search Generative Experience

Search engines are now using AI-powered tools like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) to summarize answers directly on the results page, meaning fewer users are scrolling or clicking through links. For example, a search for “How many franchise brands are there in 2025?” now displays the answer directly at the top of the Search Engine Results Page (SERP), reducing traffic even for top-ranking sites. These AI-generated summaries, also known as featured snippets, are redefining what it takes to appear in search results.

“

Search engines are now using AIpowered tools like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) to summarize answers directly on the results page, meaning fewer users are scrolling or clicking through links.”

Your site’s Domain Authority (DA), a score that predicts how well your website ranks, plays a key role in whether customers or franchise prospects discover your brand or a competitor’s. To stay competitive, your keyword strategy must evolve, since longer, more specific phrases now drive better visibility. Like today’s AI-driven search algorithms, DA is influenced by relevant content, strong PR, and technical factors such as ADA compliance, mobile optimization, page speed, and overall user experience. Updating your site once a year, or even once a quarter, is simply not enough to stay on top.

Simplifying AI Success: Leveraging Your Existing Brand

Great content doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. My mantra in franchise marketing? “Don’t overlook what is right in front of you.”

November/December 2025 / FRANCHISING WORLD 25

service] on social media” or “Tell us why you love [your brand].” Similarly, investing in “picture-perfect” displays, murals, or pop-ups often yields higher ROI via social media shares and local visibility. Service-based franchises can adopt these tactics with before-and-after photo contests, automated SMS review requests, and social media decals on vehicles. Finally, grassroots marketing remains evergreen. Franchisees who actively participate in community events, partnerships, online forums, and local listings or social profiles are often top performers, and their efforts can boost local AI visibility through social mentions, engagement, and press coverage. “Content” gold is often right under our noses. Most do not realize how unique and powerful real stories and insights from founders, executives, or franchisees are until they’re shared. Your people are the heart of your brand — their trials and triumphs resonate with customers, prospective franchisees, and AI alike. Another way to continuously build authority is by linking brand milestones, media coverage, and recognition on your website’s blog or “press” page. Even small updates, like adding new testimonials or awards, help AI and search engines recognize your brand as a top franchise.

Optimizing Locally: What’s Changed, and What Hasn’t

Some of the most valuable low-hanging fruit for local AI visibility comes from earned media, which now goes far beyond local news. User-generated content, influencer mentions, local awards, and reviews all act as third-party signals of reliability and authority, boosting your AI visibility without placing a heavy, long-term lift on your team. To generate more of this earned content, try social media contests that encourage users to tag your business, use a campaign hashtag, or share experiences. Small incentives, like freebies or discounts, can dramatically increase engagement. Brands that bridge the gap between on-site and digital marketing have a competitive advantage. Traditional tactics like on-site signage still work, especially when paired with QR Codes inviting users to “Leave a review” or “Follow you on social media.” Signage can solicit additional user-generated content with prompts like “Share your favorite [product/

26 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

“

Most do not realize how unique and powerful real stories and insights from founders, executives, or franchisees are until they’re shared.”

Keep Testing the Waters: AI’s Not Going Anywhere

As always, the best way to gauge marketing performance is through data. Audit your content, monitor competitors, adjust your strategy, and if something isn’t working, be willing to pivot. Test your efforts at least once a quarter by stepping into your target audience’s shoes. What would they type in on search engines or in AI platforms? Try it. Are you showing up? Are competitors? If you’re unsure how to get to where you want to be, don’t hesitate to ask your franchisees, industry peers, and vendors for help. Franchising is an open, tight-knit community with a wealth of knowledge and specialized resources, and 2026 is poised to be its biggest year yet.

Lizzy Young is a Certified Franchise Executive, Certified Franchise Marketer, and Chair of the Chicago Women’s Franchise Network. She has spent nearly her entire career immersed in the franchise industry, partnering with hundreds of franchisors and franchisees along the way. Her multifaceted experience gives her a unique, system-wide perspective on what it takes to drive meaningful change within franchise organizations. As Director of Strategic Marketing at Tidehouse, Lizzy helps franchisors stay ahead of the curve in both franchise development and consumer marketing. For more information about IFA supplier member Tidehouse, please visit franchise.org/suppliers/tidehouse-agency/.

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FEATURE

FROM SEO TO GEO: HOW GENERATIVE AI IS REDEFINING SEARCH FOR FRANCHISE BRANDS By Steve Buors, Reshift Media

28 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

AI search engines pull data from a wide variety of sources including websites, reviews, forums, social media and product listings. They do not reward keyword stuffing but focus instead on clarity, trust and structure. To appear in AI-generated answers, franchise brands must publish credible, conversational content that directly answers real questions.

Zero-Click Search and the New Visibility Game

Digital marketers have long fought for visibility in Google’s familiar list of “blue links.”

uccess meant ranking ahead of competitors, earning clicks and measuring website traffic. But that era is fading fast. Today, when someone Googles “What’s the best pizza in Greenville?” or “What is the highest-rated lawn care service near me”, they no longer see a list of links at the top of the page. Instead, they receive a complete answer written by Google’s AI Overview. Welcome to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), the next evolution of search. For franchise companies, understanding GEO is no longer optional. It’s the difference between being cited as the answer or disappearing entirely.

What Is Generative Engine Optimization?

Generative Engine Optimization is the process of helping AI systems such as AI Overviews, Gemini, Perplexity, ChatGPT and Claude find, understand and incorporate your content in generated answers. Unlike traditional SEO, which aims to win a top spot on a list of website links, GEO is about becoming part of the AI’s response itself.

AI-powered search is leading to what many people are calling a “zero-click search” because the searcher does not need to click through to a website for an answer. Even in cases where the AI includes links to their sources, studies have found that users rarely click through to explore further.

“

To appear in AI-generated answers, franchise brands must publish credible, conversational content that directly answers real questions.”

This shift doesn’t mean search optimization is obsolete, but it does change what success looks like. Instead of chasing clicks, the new goal is inclusion and customer recall. If your franchise’s name, expertise, products or location is part of the AI’s narrative, you’re winning visibility, even if the user never clicks.

Franchise Companies Are Positioned to Win at GEO

Franchise organizations are exceptionally well positioned to succeed with Generative Engine Optimization because they combine national reach with genuine local presence. These are the very qualities that AI systems value most. Generative engines assess both the corporate website and the network of local signals that support it, including Google Business Profiles, customer reviews and community mentions. To take advantage of this, each franchise location should be treated as a trusted source of local data that strengthens the company’s overall digital footprint and increases visibility in AI-powered search.

November/December 2025 / FRANCHISING WORLD 29

Your website is the primary source of information that helps AI understand who you are, what you offer and where you operate. Technical optimization such as a fast website, clean code, relevant backlinks, and updated metadata still matters, but to perform well in GEO your content should demonstrate experience, expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness (often summarized as E-E-A-T). To accomplish this, include helpful content such as FAQs, how-to guides, comparisons and real customer insights. Use structured data, clear headings and descriptive alt text so AI can quickly determine what your business does, where it operates and why it can be trusted.

“

Franchise organizations are exceptionally well positioned to succeed with Generative Engine Optimization because they combine national reach with genuine local presence.”

The national site serves as the central hub for brand messaging, product and service information and broad educational content. Local pages, however, are where intent turns into action. When someone searches for a nearby product or service, they should land directly on the local page that meets their need and invites them to connect immediately. To achieve this, franchise companies should create local microsites within their main domain rather than using separate websites or subdomains. A structure such as “yourwebsite.com/location” links each location to the parent brand, allowing all franchisees to share in the same domain authority. Each local microsite should include detailed information about that location, including its address, phone number, hours, photos, team and stories from the community. Adding structured data like local business, reviews and FAQ schema makes these details easy for AI to read and understand. In addition, franchise companies should pay close attention to “off-website” content sources, including: • Google Business Profile: Keep each listing complete and accurate. Include every service, image and detail. AI relies on this data to verify your business information. • Online Reviews: Maintain a steady flow of genuine reviews and respond publicly. AI evaluates volume, sentiment and recency across review sites.

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• Local Mentions: Aim to appear in “Top 10” or “Best of” lists on local and regional sites. Even small community features reinforce your credibility. • Consistency: Ensure your name, address, phone, and categories match across every directory. Conflicting information confuses both users and algorithms. When these elements work together, AI can easily identify your franchise as a trusted, active, and relevant business that meets the customer’s need in their exact location. This approach builds lasting authority and visibility across your entire network in the age of AI-driven search.

The New SEO Mindset

So, is SEO dead? No, but it is evolving into something more expansive which requires a major change in mindset. Website traffic from search will decrease as the use of AI grows, but visibility can still increase. Franchise brands that think beyond links and focus on creating meaningful, AI-readable content that demonstrates real local value won’t just adapt to the new search landscape; they’ll lead it.

Steve Buors is the CEO and co-founder of Reshift Media. Under his leadership, Reshift Media has become an award-winning global agency specializing in AI-driven marketing, local search optimization, and digital strategy for franchise businesses. Steve is a leading voice in how generative AI and search innovation are transforming the way franchise systems connect with customers online. For more information about IFA supplier member Reshift Media, please visit franchise.org/ suppliers/reshift-media/.

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FEATURE

HOW AI IS REWRITING THE RULES OF SENIOR CARE By Jerod Evanich, A Place At Home

Senior care is at a turning point.

ore than ten thousand Americans turn 65 and qualify for Medicare every day, and families are increasingly opting to keep loved ones at home longer. Meanwhile, the caregiver workforce is shrinking, operational costs are climbing, and recruiting remains highly competitive. Care needs are rising, and every senior care franchise owner feels these pressures in staffing, scheduling, documentation, client communication, and retention. When people talk about artificial intelligence in health care, they often picture robots or futuristic systems. In reality, AI is beginning to reshape senior care from behind the scenes. It is not replacing caregivers or removing the human touch. It is taking tasks that used to take hours and cutting them down to minutes. It creates space for caregivers to focus on what matters most. In a franchise model, that matters even more because every minute saved can be multiplied across many locations.

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At A Place At Home, we have spent the past year identifying which tasks drain the most time and energy from our teams. Scheduling, documentation, recruiting, and client communication consistently rose to the top. The goal was simple. Reduce friction. Improve consistency. Make more room for care.

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AI has done more than create efficiency. It has helped our teams become more creative in their care.”

One of the most significant breakthroughs has come from our Encinitas franchise location in California. The team began using AI to support scheduling. By sharing caregiver availability, location and preferences with AI, they can generate, for example, a 72-hour shift schedule in just a few minutes. Before, this required manual adjustments and back-and-forth phone calls. Now the team completes

scheduling about seventy percent faster and avoids unnecessary overtime. Fewer last-minute gaps mean fewer stressful calls to caregivers and better continuity for clients. Recruiting has also improved. When the Encinitas team noticed their job ads were not attracting the right applicants, they used AI to analyze the language and rewrite the posting. After testing the new versions, they saw a clear increase in qualified applicants who met their standards for professionalism and care. Hiring remains competitive. The main difference now is that the applicants are more serious about the work.

“

AI should support people, not replace them.”

Documentation has also become easier, not because AI replaces it, but because it supports accuracy and compliance. Caregivers still enter their notes manually, through their app. AI steps in afterward to help owners and office staff organize those notes, identify missing details, and ensure they meet the strict formatting requirements set by thirdparty payers, such as long-term care insurance companies, for authorizing payment. This keeps documentation clear and consistent, reduces back-and-forth with payors, and prevents reimbursement delays. Internal AI meeting tools also summarize calls and action items so nothing gets lost when cases involve multiple team members. AI has done more than create efficiency. It has helped our teams become more creative in their care. Dementia care often requires constant imagination and planning. The Encinitas franchise began using AI tools to design custom activity plans tailored to cognitive abilities and personal interests. Instead of the same puzzles or music, AI generates new activities that stimulate different areas of the brain. One client who had become withdrawn began engaging again because the caregiver introduced new sensory activities that matched her past hobbies. The team has applied similar thinking to daily living tasks. They use AI to create customized grocery lists and meal plans that take dietary restrictions, budget, and available items at local stores into account. These enhancements may seem small, but families feel the difference. Care becomes personal rather than routine. Training is evolving, too. Traditional training often requires caregivers to attend long classroom sessions,

which can be difficult for those balancing other jobs or caregiving responsibilities at home. We are shifting toward short, on-demand modules that caregivers can complete on their phones between shifts. Over time, AI will personalize these modules based on skills that need reinforcement. Better training improves confidence and reduces turnover, which reduces the strain on recruiting. Rolling out new technology across a franchise system requires discipline. We start small and test new tools in locations that have strong processes and a willingness to experiment. Encinitas has been an ideal proving ground because the owners are curious, open to learning, and comfortable testing ideas before we roll them out system-wide. We evaluate readiness based on the team’s openness to change, digital infrastructure, and reliable data. Once the new process or tool proves successful, we refine it into repeatable training and share it with other franchise locations. Our philosophy is simple. AI should support people, not replace them. We serve clients at vulnerable points in their lives. Caregiving is personal, emotional, and relational. Technology cannot replicate that. What technology can do is remove the barriers between caregivers and the people they serve. The real business benefit is scale. Strong systems help a brand grow. When prospective franchise owners evaluate opportunities, they want to see more than mission or purpose. They want proven processes. They want to know how the brand will help them win. When they see technology driving efficiency and experience, they gain confidence in the system. Smart systems paired with strong people create a franchise model that can grow without losing quality. In 2026, we are refining our technology stack, strengthening infrastructure, and aligning every part of our business to support growth. We are not adding tools for the sake of having more tools. We are choosing tools that make the work easier, faster, and more consistent across every location. AI will continue to help us reduce lower-level tasks, improve recruiting, personalize training, enrich care, and enhance the experience for caregivers, clients, and franchise owners. The future of senior care will always depend on the human element. AI simply creates space for it. Jerod Evanich is the co-founder and president of A Place At Home. For more information about IFA franchisor member A Place At Home, please visit franchise.org/franchiseopportunities/a-place-at-home-llc/.

November/December 2025 / FRANCHISING WORLD 33

FEATURE

TURN YOUR FRANCHISE WEBSITE INTO A LEADGENERATION MACHINE By Scott White, Thunderly Marketing

In a marketplace where buyers are more informed, digitally savvy, and increasingly reliant on AI-driven search, your website isn’t just a marketing asset — it’s a revenue engine.

34 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

f it’s not performing like one, you’re leaving money (and momentum) on the table. When prospects see your ads, hear you on a podcast or read your linked-in thought leadership piece, they will likely head straight to your website. If your website looks outdated, is difficult to navigate, or fails to tell a compelling story, you’ve just wasted all that impactful marketing and likely lost a potential franchisee before they even pick up the phone. Even the best franchise concepts with strong support systems and proven ROI lose candidates simply because their websites fail to convert.

Franchise Buyers Aren’t Your Customers

Before your website can drive leads your way, you must understand who your target audience is. A frequent mistake we see brands make is to bury their franchise opportunity within their consumer website, which can be costly, as your website isn’t reaching the right people. It’s the same as a retailer putting their store in a back alley and hoping their customers will be willing to drive around town until they do happen to find the location. Franchise prospects need clear, focused messaging, easy-to-navigate pages, and compelling reasons why your franchise is the right choice. A dedicated franchise development website lets you engage directly with that audience with clear, persuasive storytelling, and should include the following: • Transparent financials that build confidence • Real franchisee testimonials that validate success Brand story videos that make an emotional connection • Detailed training and support sections that demonstrate commitment • Without this information, you’re asking someone to invest in your business without showing them why they should.

Your Website Is Your HardestWorking Salesperson

It goes without saying that your franchise development website is a 24/7 salesperson and it is critical that your website is the best, most functional representation of your business as possible. Wouldn’t you rather have it generating leads and pushing candidates down your pipeline, than turning customers off and sending them to your competitors?

Outdated design, confusing navigation, or slow load times instantly send potential franchisees packing. A site that looks great but isn’t built for performance is like a beautiful showroom with a locked front door. Franchise prospects expect a seamless, informative experience that answers their questions, validates your credibility, and provides the reassurance that motivates them to take the next step.

“

Franchise prospects need clear, focused messaging, easy-to-navigate pages, and compelling reasons why your franchise is the right choice.”

Where Websites Lose Qualified Leads When your website isn’t performing, the problem usually isn’t a lack of traffic; it’s what happens once visitors get there. When a franchise development website isn’t built to convert, qualified leads slip through the cracks. The most common reasons we’ve seen for poor conversion rates: • Lack of clear information, incorrectly built forms, and hard-to-navigate interfaces • Forms that are too long or hidden on secondary pages • Calls to action that are vague or buried • Pages that load slowly or aren’t mobile-optimized

According to Google, bounce rates increase by 32 percent when load times increase by one to three seconds. A strong website removes friction and guides users naturally toward the next step, whether that’s scheduling a call, downloading an info kit, or watching a testimonial video.

Build Trust With Video and Storytelling

Ask any franchise development executive what truly drives franchise sales, and you’ll hear the same answer: nothing sells an opportunity like real stories from successful franchisees. Video testimonials put faces and voices to your brand, helping the franchise opportunity feel relatable and trustworthy. A well-produced brand video captures the heart of your franchise, highlighting what makes it unique and why people should invest.

November/December 2025 / FRANCHISING WORLD 35

Incorporating schema markup, such as FAQ, How-To, and Review data, helps search engines and AI tools understand your content contextually. Supporting your claims with facts from reputable sources and quotes from authors with verified credentials, further strengthens credibility and signals trustworthiness. If you’re not doing this, you will be invisible in one of the fastest-growing channels for lead discovery.

“ Telling your story through video creates an emotional connection that static text and images simply can’t match. Sprinkling franchisee testimonials, brand story features, and “Day in the Life” videos throughout your site gives potential franchisees an inside look at the real success stories within your brand — straight from those who’ve already leaped.

From SEO to AIO: Optimizing for AI

Just a few years ago, strong SEO could keep your brand visible to franchise candidates searching online. That’s still true, but the way visibility works is changing fast. AIO — optimizing content for AI comprehension and summarization — will be essential in this new landscape. In this new environment, you will need to make your information as relevant to AI as it is to your human prospects. AI-generated search isn’t just changing the rules; it’s changing the game. Prospects are now using tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to discover franchise opportunities. With “zero-click search,” users often get the info they need directly from the AI response, without ever visiting your website. That means fewer clicks, less traffic, and a major blind spot for traditional analytics. To show up in AI results requires much more than the right keywords. Your marketing tactics — including your franchise development website — must be designed to build authority and credibility and do it with a unified message across all platforms. As a result, your franchise development website must demonstrate authority, structure, and clarity. This means organizing content with clear headings, bullet points, and concise answers that make information easy to interpret.

36 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

A well-produced brand video captures the heart of your franchise, highlighting what makes it unique and why people should invest.”

Conversion Starts With Alignment

AI doesn’t like mixed messages. Even the best-performing website won’t deliver results if it’s disconnected from your broader marketing strategy. Consistency across earned and paid media, social, and web content is critical. So if your fran-dev marketing involves multiple departments or agencies, it is critical that they are working together to ensure a consistent message. Having a single department or an agency offering a full menu of services handle all marketing initiatives ensures a cohesive and fully-integrated strategy for your brand.

The Bottom Line

If your site isn’t converting, chances are it’s not your ads. Start by looking at your website. Have you built a site that works for you 24/7? Once you achieve that, you’ll turn casual clicks into qualified candidates ready to take the next step. Because in today’s franchise landscape, the brands that win online are the ones that understand this simple truth: a website that doesn’t sell is just a billboard on the side of the internet highway. Scott White is the CEO and co-founder of Thunderly Marketing. For more information about IFA supplier member Thunderly, please visit franchise.org/suppliers/ thunderly/.

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2026 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

BRITTANY HODAK Award-winning Entrepreneur and Customer Experience Expert Author of Creating Superfans

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JIM CRAIG

Goaltender for the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team

FEATURE

HOW AI-POWERED INFLUENCE IS RESHAPING FRANCHISE MARKETING FOR 2026 By Liberty Bernal, Sweet Influencers

Franchising has always been built on trust and relationships.

he most successful brands know that growth begins with credibility — between franchisor and franchisee, and between local owners and their communities. Yet in today’s marketplace, those trusted local voices have changed. They’re not billboards or banner ads anymore — they’re creators. Real people whose audiences believe them because they’ve earned that trust. As we reflect on 2025, it’s clear that the year belonged to brands that combined authenticity with innovation. And as we look ahead to 2026, the question for franchisors isn’t whether to use influence in their marketing — but how to do it responsibly, locally, and at scale.

38 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

The Year in Review: Trust and Technology Drive Growth

Across the franchise sector, 2025 marked a pivotal shift. Thriving brands were those that simplified their systems, embraced AI tools for smarter marketing, and doubled down on storytelling that felt real. Instead of spending more on ads, they invested in trust capital — equipping franchisees to be visible, authentic, and data-informed. Local marketing has always been the lifeblood of franchising, but this year, the game changed. As algorithms evolved and consumers demanded transparency, traditional paid media couldn’t carry the same weight. Franchisors began asking: How do we maintain national consistency while empowering local authenticity? The answer increasingly came from AI-powered influencer technology — tools that match brands with genuine local creators who already hold community credibility.

The Problem with “Let’s Just Try Influencers”

Many brands experimented with influencer marketing in the past, often in a trial-and-error fashion — engaging creators ad hoc, tracking results manually, and hoping for the best. These efforts tended to fail for predictable reasons: • Discovery drag: Finding the right, brand-safe creators within a few miles of each unit was time-consuming and often inefficient. • Fake reach: Inflated engagement and bot-driven metrics gave the illusion of success.

“

Looking ahead, AI-powered influence is poised to be one of the hottest franchise marketing trends of 2026…”

• Rights confusion: Lacking proper licensing agreements, brands couldn’t legally repurpose content that performed well. • Measurement gaps: Without structured analytics, franchisors couldn’t prove ROI beyond likes and comments. • Operator distraction: Franchisees became part-time social managers instead of focusing on operations. This unstructured approach often turned what should have been a scalable marketing channel into a costly experiment.

The Turning Point: AI Meets Authenticity

In 2025, the most forward-thinking systems found a better path — AI-powered influencer marketing that marries technology, compliance, and creativity. At Sweet Influencers, we developed an approach designed specifically for franchisors and multi-unit operators: one that safeguards brand integrity while amplifying authentic local stories. Here’s how it works: • Smart Discovery: AI tools identify and vet nearby creators within a drive-time radius of each franchise location, using data points like content tone, audience

demographics, and engagement authenticity. • Authenticity Analysis: Proprietary AI flags fake engagement or misaligned audiences, ensuring only trusted creators represent the brand. • Campaign Management: Streamlined briefs, approvals, and rights management make it simple for franchisors to maintain oversight while freeing operators from extra admin work. • Closed-Loop Measurement: Built-in attribution tools connect influencer activity to tangible outcomes — site visits, bookings, or revenue — closing the loop between marketing and sales. • Balance of Brand Control and Creator Freedom: National guardrails stay intact, while local creators are empowered to communicate in their authentic voice. The result is influence at scale — measurable, compliant, and locally resonant.

Rosen Karol Salis, PLLC

Providing legal services in the franchise field for over 40 years. Rosen Karol Salis, PLLC, has provided the highest-quality legal services in the franchise field for over 40 years. Our firm has represented franchisors, franchisees, and franchisee organizations in all areas of franchise law. Located in New York City, we provide legal services to clients nationwide. Our firm has represented clients in all areas of franchise law, from setting up franchising systems and programs, forming all entities, drafting, and negotiating (on all sides) franchise and multi-unit development agreements, disclosure, and other ancillary documents, as well as mediating, arbitrating, and litigating in both state and federal courts. We negotiate lease agreements and financing documents for the sale or acquisition of franchise related real estate, and handle all matters applicable to franchise transactions. Rosen Karol Salis represents franchisors and franchisees in nearly all industry fields, including restaurants, real estate brokerage, healthcare, fast food, fitness, energy, hospitality, education, health and beauty, telecommunications, senior care, courier services, apparel and many more. Rosen Karol Salis are authors of the section on Franchise Law in the United States which appears in the Third, Fourth and Fifth Editions of the (International) Franchise Law Review. Since 2017 our law firm has written the review of franchise law in the U.S. which appears in the International Comparative Guide to Franchise Law. Rosen Karol Salis, PLLC is highest rated by Martindale Hubbell amongst franchise law firms in the U.S. Our Firm, Richard L. Rosen, John Karol, and Len Salis, have won numerous awards and honors in the field of Franchise Law.

RLR ROSEN KAROL SALIS, PLLC

Richard L. Rosen Professionalism Experience Integrity

110 East 59th Street, 23rd Floor | New York, NY 10022 Tel: 212-644-6644 | Fax: 212-644-3344 Email: rlr@rosenlawpllc.com

www.richardrosenlaw.com

November/December 2025 / FRANCHISING WORLD 39

What It Looks Like in the Field

Across verticals — fitness, food, home services, and senior care — AI-vetted micro-creators are transforming local marketing. The best results come when franchisors treat creators not as vendors but as community partners. • Customer acquisition: Local creators drive hyper-targeted awareness, leading to measurable increases in appointments and conversions. • Recruitment: Real-life employee and owner stories attract candidates better than job boards. • Community engagement: Collaborations with trusted neighborhood personalities reinforce the “neighbors serving neighbors” brand promise. • Franchise development: Consistent online presence strengthens validation and attracts quality prospects. Franchisors using structured programs through Sweet Influencers have seen significant increases in brand search volume, offer redemptions, and customer engagement within 30–45 days of campaign activation — results that can be replicated across markets.

“

The most valuable asset in franchising has always been trust, and technology is finally catching up to help us scale it.”

The Top Franchise Marketing Trend for 2026: Scalable Authenticity Looking ahead, AI-powered influence is poised to be one of the hottest franchise marketing trends of 2026 — for one simple reason: it brings structure, safety, and scale to what was once a fragmented process. Franchisors now recognize that influencer marketing is not about “going viral.” It’s about building localized micro-trust ecosystems — hundreds of small, genuine conversations that collectively shape national reputation. As AI continues to mature, brands can expect tools that: • Automate creator vetting with real-time compliance monitoring • Link influencer posts directly to franchise CRM data for performance tracking • Predict campaign ROI before launch • Integrate seamlessly with national marketing calendars and ad budgets

40 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

This shift also changes the franchisor’s role. No longer just content producers, they become trust architects, designing frameworks that blend brand storytelling with the authenticity of everyday voices.

How to Get Started — Responsibly For brands considering entry into this space, success depends on balance: structure without rigidity, freedom without chaos. A few best practices for 2026: 1. Start with pilot markets. Test with a small set of high-performing franchisees. Measure engagement, sentiment, and sales lift before scaling. 2. Vet technology partners carefully. Look for platforms purpose-built for franchising, like Sweet Influencers, that handle rights management, creator compliance, and closed-loop analytics. 3. Establish brand guardrails early. Provide clear do’s and don’ts for tone, imagery, and disclosures to protect both your franchisees and the brand. 4. Prioritize creator authenticity over follower count. Nano- and micro-influencers often drive stronger local action than celebrity names. 5. Train franchisees for simplicity. Make execution frictionless — five clicks, not fifty.

Beyond Marketing: The Future of Connection

The most valuable asset in franchising has always been trust, and technology is finally catching up to help us scale it. AI will not replace the human touch — it will reveal and reinforce it. In 2026, the strongest brands will not be the loudest, but the most believed. They’ll understand that AI’s true power lies not in automation, but in enabling empathy at scale — turning data into stories, and stories into action. At Sweet Influencers, that’s the mission: helping franchisors grow through measurable authenticity — one creator, one community, one trusted conversation at a time.

Liberty Bernal is the president and chief operating officer of Sweet Influencers, an AI-enabled influencer marketing platform helping franchise systems amplify brand visibility through authentic local voices. A seasoned franchise leader and entrepreneur, Liberty has more than two decades of experience building and scaling franchise brands, driving operational excellence, and empowering franchisees for growth. She is passionate about innovation, brand storytelling, and fostering meaningful engagement between businesses and their communities. For more information about IFA supplier member Sweet Influencers, please visit franchise.org/suppliers/sweet-influencers/.

THE PATH TO BECOMING A CERTIFIED FRANCHISE EXECUTIVE TM (CFE) Application.

Applications may be completed online at franchise.org/cfe

Acceptance.

Applicants will receive email notification regarding acceptance of CFE candidacy and next steps to launch your CFE journey.

Acquire credits.

You will be provided with a CFE Getting Started Guide that explains the program requirements and details for selecting the education courses that best fit your schedule and goals.

Program completion.

Program requirements can be satisfied through a combination of professional franchise experience, approved event participation, and authorized education courses.

Congratulations! You’re a Certified Franchise Executive!

You now join the ranks of thousands of franchise leaders worldwide who have earned the esteemed CFE designation!

APPLY TODAY! BEGIN TODAY! Visit: franchise.org/certification

Email: cfe@franchise.org

TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT

With 55+ AI-powered business software in nearly every major category, such as finance, marketing, sales, and customer experience, Zoho Corporation is one of the world’s most prolific technology companies. Zoho owns and operates its entire tech stack, including data centers, ensuring complete oversight of customer data, privacy, and security. Well over 130 million users around the world, across

more than nine hundred thousand companies, including local and global franchisors and franchisees, rely on Zoho every day to run their businesses. Serving the world since 1996, Zoho is headquartered in Austin, Texas. With over 18,000 employees, the company is privately held and profitable. Zoho respects user privacy and does not have an ad-revenue model in any part of its business, including its free products.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Blake Dow 823-769-2213 | blake@zohocorp.com www.zoho.com

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: Restaurants & BeveragE INDUSTRY

THE EVOLVING RESTAURANT AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY: INNOVATION, GROWTH, AND EMERGING CHALLENGES By Huaiyi Jiang, FRANdata

he restaurant and beverage industry is one of the largest and most diverse sectors in franchising, accounting for 36.1 percent of all franchise brands across a broad range of foodservice categories. It includes quick-service restaurants (QSRs), full-service restaurants, beverage-focused concepts, and food retail businesses that reflect evolving consumer preferences. QSRs represent 50.5 percent of all restaurant and beverage franchise brands, followed by sit-down restaurants at 26.1 percent, highlighting continued demand for casual and family dining. Other key segments including retail food (9.5 percent), frozen desserts (7.6 percent), and baked goods (6.3 percent) demonstrate the industry’s adaptability and role as a major driver of consumer spending and local economic activity. When examining the leading subsectors, coffee & tea and pizza franchises tie for the top position, each representing 8.5 percent of all restaurant and beverage franchise

44 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

brands. They are followed by fast food – other concepts (7.6 percent) and frozen desserts (7.6 percent), then chicken fast food (5.6 percent) and Mexican fast food (4.6 percent). Additional emerging categories include fruit drink-related fast food (3.8 percent), health fast food (3.0 percent), Japanese fast food

(3.0 percent), and cafés (2.9 percent). The “fast food – other” category encompasses a broad range of specialty and regional quick service concepts offering diverse cuisines and menu formats, including Mediterranean, Hawaiian, poke, rice bowl, mac and cheese focused offerings, etc.

Brand Distribution by Industry Baked Goods Frozen Desserts

Retail Food

10%

QSR

50% Restaurants (Sit-Down)

26%

Source: FRANdata

Franchise Expansion Trends

The total number of franchised establishments in the restaurant and beverage industry rose steadily from 231,469 to 245,027 units, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.4 percent. Annual growth ranged between 1.0 percent and 2.1 percent, indicating steady, moderate expansion. During this period, major brands maintained consistent development activity. Among 22 leading franchised brands, each averaging more than 100 new units opened per year. Key contributors included Subway, Dunkin’, Jersey Mike’s, Chick-fil-A, Domino’s Pizza, Wing-Stop, and Taco Bell, all supporting strong growth pipelines. The sustained pace of new openings underscores continued franchise investment momentum despite broader economic challenges.

Performance across Key Sectors

Average unit revenues for franchised locations in the restaurant and beverage industry have shown steady growth in recent years, rising from $956,653 in 2020 to $1,289,625 in 2024, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8 percent. Among the major categories, frozen desserts posted the highest growth with a CAGR of 10.1 percent, followed by sit-down restaurants at 9.8 percent. Their success was supported by the return of dine-in traffic, menu diversification, and greater consumer demand for elevated casual dining experiences. Retail food and baked goods expanded to 7.1 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively, as brands focused on hybrid retail and on-the-go models to maintain consistent sales. Quick-service restaurants (QSRs),

Brand Distribution by Sector – Top 10 Coffee and Tea Pizza Fast Food – Other Frozen Desserts Chicken Fast Food Mexican Fast Food Fruit Drink-Related Fast Food Health Fast Food Japanese Fast Food Cafe 0

Source: FRANdata

150

brand in the Chicken Fast Food segment of QSR, also reported a 9.7 percent CAGR during the same period, supported by sustained consumer demand for convenient, high-quality quick-service options. Paris Baguette, part of the Café segment, reported a 16.9 percent CAGR in average unit revenue.

the largest category by number of brands, grew at a 6.1 percent CAGR. Within individual sectors, several brands demonstrated outstanding growth. Jersey Mike’s, representing the Sub Shops segment within QSR, achieved a 9.7 percent CAGR in average unit revenue from 2020 to 2024. Wingstop, a leading

250,000

100

No. of Franchised Establishments (Restaurant and Beverage)

245,000 240,000

w th G ro

Ra t e

= 1.4

235,000 230,000 225,000 220,000

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Source: FRANdata

November/December 2025 / FRANCHISING WORLD 45

Key Trends in the Restaurant and Beverage Segment in 2025

46 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

$1,400 $1,179.7

$1,200 $1,000 Thousand

• Health-Conscious and Personalized Dining: Consumers are increasingly seeking healthier and more personalized dining options. According to a recent Toast survey, more than 53 percent of restaurant patrons actively seek establishments that offer healthier menu choices. Over 55 percent of customers say that nutritional value and ingredient quality affect their dining decisions, with growing interest in high-protein and low-carb meals. Franchise brands are responding by expanding customizable menus and using AI-driven analytics to tailor loyalty programs and promotions. For example, Smashburger’s redesigned customer rewards system leverages AI and machine learning to analyze guest behavior, segment customers by purchase patterns, and deliver personalized offers such as targeted menu recommendations or exclusive rewards based on individual preferences and visit frequency. This data-driven personalization has helped the brand increase customer engagement and loyalty while driving incremental sales growth.

Average Unit Revenues (Restaurant and Beverage) $1,252.3

$1,290.6

$1,289.6

2022

2023

2024

$956.7

$800 $600 $400 $200 $0

2020

2021

Source: FRANdata

• Delivery Expansion and Platform Integration: Franchise restaurant brands are increasingly integrating third-party delivery platforms into their operations as at-home dining continues to grow. About 70 percent of restaurants now rely entirely on third-party apps such as Uber Eats or DoorDash, while 69 percent of consumers say they prefer delivery over dining in. For franchise systems, this trend supports broader market access, lower front-of-house costs, and more flexible expansion through off-premises models. • Experiential and Interactive Dining: Younger consumers, especially those from Gen Z and Millennial groups, are showing strong interest in restaurants that offer interactive and memorable experiences. According to OpenTable, reservations for experiential dining increased by 27 percent year over year, and 42 percent of diners plan to choose experience-focused restaurants in 2025. Reports from Yelp also show rising demand for restaurants that combine atmosphere, storytelling, and entertainment

with dining. For franchise brands, this trend has encouraged the development of themed concepts, immersive pop-up events, and on-site experiences that attract social-media-active customers and strengthen brand engagement.

Emerging Trends Shaping the Industry in 2026 The 2026 restaurant and beverage outlook highlights ongoing innovation in operating models, technology, and consumer engagement.

Cloud Kitchens

Cloud kitchens, or delivery-only facilities, are becoming a preferred expansion model for franchise brands. They allow operators to serve delivery and takeout orders without the cost of dine-in spaces, lowering overhead and accelerating market entry. A single kitchen can host multiple virtual brands, improving flexibility and efficiency. Several franchise brands are testing or expanding through this model to capture growing off-premises demand. Brands such as Marco’s Pizza have partnered with CloudKitchens to open

delivery-only facilities in multiple U.S. markets, allowing franchisees to serve customers without the cost of dine-in operations. The model is expected to play an increasingly important role in franchise expansion strategies through 2026 as consumer preference for at-home dining continues to rise.

Artificial Intelligence and Automation

Artificial intelligence is transforming restaurant operations as brands use technology to improve efficiency and control costs. AI-based forecasting systems now analyze sales data, weather, and local events to optimize inventory and labor planning. A 2024 Popmenu study found that 79 percent of U.S. restaurant operators have implemented or are considering AI for order taking, food preparation, marketing, and back-office functions. Several major franchise brands have already moved beyond pilot programs. Wendy’s partnered with Google Cloud to launch FreshAI, a drive-thru voice assistant that reduced average order times by 22 seconds and reached 99 percent accuracy in testing. Domino’s is collaborating with Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service to enhance store operations and delivery systems, while McDonald’s and Taco Bell are using AI to improve maintenance, workflow, and drive-thru ordering. Generative AI is also emerging as a tool for menu development, customer personalization, and marketing.

Franchise brands are actively piloting robotics to improve productivity and address workforce challenges. Jack in the Box partnered with Miso Robotics to use the Flippy 2 system for automated frying, while Buffalo Wild Wings applied a similar platform for chicken wings, reporting efficiency gains of up to 20 percent. Chili’s Grill & Bar adopted Bear Robotics’ Servi robot to deliver food and clear tables, and Pizza Hut and Domino’s Pizza are testing robots for service and delivery in select markets.

Conclusions and Projections

The restaurant and beverage industry continues to evolve through innovation, consumer preference shifts, and technological integration.

Franchise systems are adapting to rising food and labor costs by adopting automation, robotics, and AI-driven solutions to improve efficiency and maintain profitability. Growth in off-premise dining, health-oriented menus, and immersive dining concepts will continue shaping brand strategies through 2026. However, challenges such as staffing shortages, supply chain volatility, and increasing competition from digital-first and cloud kitchen models will pressure operators to remain agile. Brands that balance technology adoption with customer experience and menu innovation will be best positioned for long-term success in this dynamic market. Huaiyi Jiang is a credit analyst at FRANdata. For more information about IFA supplier member FRANdata, please visit franchise.org/suppliers/ frandata/.

Restaurant Robotics

Robotic technology is emerging as a practical solution for restaurant operators facing persistent labor shortages and rising wage pressures. Automation is being adopted across both kitchen and front-of-house environments to enhance speed, consistency, and operational efficiency.

November/December 2025 / FRANCHISING WORLD 47

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: Restaurant and Beverage Industry

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: BEVERAGES By Sharon Arthofer, Sip Fresh

The specialty beverage industry is experiencing major shifts in consumer behavior that are not only rooted in what beverage consumers are drinking, but in the role beverages play in consumers’ lives.

eading Sip Fresh has strengthened my passion for understanding what today’s consumers want to ensure we are prepared to meet new expectations and expand upon them. Across the category, three key forces are shaping the future of the specialty beverage space: the continued decline in alcohol consumption, a growing demand for customization, and a renewed love for nostalgic flavors. Each trend tells a story about how consumers are redefining enjoyment and self-expression through what they are drinking.

Adapting to SoberCurious Movement

The continued decline in alcohol consumption has been steady for multiple years. According to a recent Gallup poll, U.S. adults who say they consume alcohol have fallen to the lowest rate in nearly 90 years, with Gen Z leading the shift towards lower or no alcohol consumption. The rising popularity of Dry January and Sober October is fueled by the sober curious movement, where individuals either fully remove alcohol from their lives or substantially reduce their intake for an extended time. As this trend

48 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

continues to gain momentum, brands have an opportunity to become more creative by reimagining their menu offerings to include mocktails and other alcohol-inspired, zero-proof beverages. Sip Fresh has embraced this notion of creating elevated, alcohol-free beverages that still encapsulate fresh, bold flavors, such as our spirit-free takes on Strawberry Mojitos and Piña Coladas.

Tapping Into the Power of Familiar Flavors

Finally, nostalgic flavors continue to capture consumers’ hearts and taste buds. People are drawn to tastes that remind them of a favorite moment or childhood treat, something familiar that is reimagined. The enduring appeal of seasonal favorites shows how powerful nostalgia can be in creating comfort and connection within your consumer base. Our team at Sip Fresh continues to prioritize nostalgic flavors in our menu offerings, as we recently brought back our Strawberry Hot Chocolate Sip for the winter season and are also exploring and testing new flavor profiles, like apple cinnamon, for future launches.

Personalization Becomes Looking Ahead As these three trends continue to the New Standard Another defining change for the industry is the desire for personalization. According to Keurig Dr. Pepper’s State of Beverages 2025 Report, approximately 65 percent of Americans now prefer to customize their beverages. Whether adjusting sweetness or mixing various flavor profiles, consumers increasingly want to play a role in creating their own drink. Beverage concepts that encourage customers to engage with the process, such as taste testing and mixing flavors, can capitalize on this trend. The Sip Fresh experience involves providing samples and mixing and matching our beverage flavors right at the counter for the ultimate, customizable experience.

shape the specialty beverage industry, it’s clear that today’s consumers are seeking beverage experiences that are meaningful, flavorful and engaging. Brands that align with these preferences through creativity and innovation will push our industry forward.

Sharon Arthofer is the founder and CEO of Sip Fresh. She is an esteemed retail executive and seasoned entrepreneur with a passion for franchising and business development in the food and beverage space. She brings more than 25 years of multi-unit experience as a franchisee for respected national brands like Wetzel’s Pretzels. With her experience growing start-ups and proven success in bolstering national brands across the nation, she created Sip Fresh — a specialty beverage concept serving fresh fruit-based juices, smoothies and teas in a fun and engaging way. For more information about IFA franchisor member Sip Fresh, please visit franchise.org/ franchise-opportunities/sip-fresh/.

RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT

Aroma Joe’s is a high-growth coffee and energy drink franchise offering entrepreneurs a proven, scalable model in the booming specialty coffee sector. Founded in 2000, the brand has built a strong reputation for exceptional beverages, standout service, and a community-centric culture. With over two decades of disciplined expansion, Aroma Joe’s continues to enter new markets with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and local connection. The concept differentiates itself through handcrafted, made-to-order coffee, tea, energy drinks, and all-day food options— all delivered through a drive-thru-first model designed for speed, convenience, and an elevated guest experience. This

operational design aligns directly with modern consumer behavior and supports consistently strong unit economics. Franchisees benefit from comprehensive training, operational support, marketing resources, and ongoing business development guidance. The streamlined operating model, simplified supply chain, and loyal customer base allow operators to run efficient, highimpact units with lower overhead compared to many traditional QSR formats. Ideal for multi-unit and multi-brand operators, Aroma Joe’s partners with franchisees who value quality, integrity, and community engagement. With the coffee industry continuing to grow, Aroma Joe’s offers a compelling opportunity to build a profitable, future-focused enterprise while delivering joy to customers, one cup at a time.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ashley Sidney 207.931.7803 | asidney@aromajoes.com Website: Franchising.aromajoes.com

FRANCHISOR INSIGHTS

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: HOW PURPOSE-DRIVEN EDUCATION FRANCHISES ARE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF LEARNING By Navin Gurnaney, Code Ninjas

Learning is evolving, and entrepreneurs are leading the charge, crafting programs that equip students to navigate a world that’s changing faster than the classroom can keep up.

52 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

he future of education isn’t limited to desks, textbooks, or the traditional model anymore. Technology, careers and the world around us are evolving faster than ever; and students need more than rote instruction to keep up. By pairing hands-on experiences, real-world projects and innovative enrichment programs with strong foundational curriculum, supplemental education franchises equip young learners with the skills, curiosity and confidence to thrive in a rapidly changing world. As we move into 2026, families are increasingly seeking learning environments that enable kids to grow into confident, curious, capable thinkers, and that’s where supplemental education franchises are stepping up and making meaningful difference.

From After-School to Future-Proofing

A decade ago, enrichment programs were about boosting grades or filling time after school. Today, they’re about future-proofing children for an unpredictable world. Parents increasingly recognize that schools alone can’t teach adaptability, creativity, or digital fluency at the pace industries demand. According to the National Afterschool Alliance’s 2025 report, more than 60 percent of U.S. families now enroll children in programs emphasizing coding, robotics, or digital design, up from 42 percent just five years ago. Supplemental education franchises meet that need by transforming curiosity into capability. They give students a sandbox for experimentation, where mistakes are lessons and projects lead to discovery, all while building foundational skills that align with the future of work.

AI Literacy Is the New Reading and Writing

Literacy now means much more than reading and writing. It means understanding, collaborating with, and even questioning artificial intelligence. AI literacy is fast becoming as essential as numeracy once was. The most forward-thinking education franchises are integrating AI-driven tools and concepts directly into their curriculum. The overarching goal is to guide students in a way that helps them to think alongside technology. Whether that means using AI to design a video game, simulate a business, or debug code, children are learning how to problem-solve in partnership with emerging tools. I see this as the ultimate differentiator: brands that evolve

“

According to the National Afterschool Alliance’s 2025 report, more than 60 percent of U.S. families now enroll children in programs emphasizing coding, robotics, or digital design, up from 42 percent just five years ago.”

with the tools shaping tomorrow’s workforce will lead not just in education, but in relevance.

Franchise Models as Local Innovation Engines

Every successful franchise system depends on consistency. But the most powerful ones, especially in education, also enable innovation at the local level Each Code Ninjas location, for instance, operates as a neighborhood innovation hub. Franchisees bring national systems and curriculum to life, but they also adapt to their local community, partnering with schools, hosting hackathons, engaging parents, and creating micro-ecosystems of creativity. This model shows franchising at its best: combining scalable structure with human connection. Each unit becomes a node in a larger network of innovation, proving that transformation doesn’t just flow top-down; it can grow organically, community by community.

The Workforce Gap Is a Business Opportunity

The global workforce is changing faster than our traditional education pipelines. The World Economic Forum projects that while 85 million jobs will be displaced by automation by 2030, 97 million new roles will emerge, demanding digital fluency, creative problem-solving, and collaboration across disciplines. That’s not just an educational challenge. It’s a franchise opportunity. Supplemental education brands are uniquely positioned to close the skills gap while creating scalable, purpose-driven businesses. They sit at the intersection of workforce development, technology, and local entrepreneurship. When a parent invests in their child’s digital future, and a franchisee invests in a center that provides it, both are contributing to the same economic evolution. Purpose and profitability aren’t competing goals. They’re converging ones.

Preparing Students for the Future Workforce

At Code Ninjas, we see students design video games, prototype AI tools, and collaborate on real coding challenges – mirroring how modern teams work in tech today. The future of work is being rewritten in real time. Entire industries are emerging around technologies that didn’t exist just a few years ago. According to the World Economic Forum, nearly 39 percent of the skills workers rely on today will be outdated by 2030. That means adaptability, creativity, and technical fluency aren’t optional anymore; they’re essential.

November/December 2025 / FRANCHISING WORLD 53

The Rise of PurposeDriven Education Franchising

Franchise ownership is becoming increasingly mission driven. Yes, investors look for strong unit economics and proven systems, but they also want to build something meaningful in their communities. In supplemental education, franchisees get both: a business model that works and the ability to shape the next generation of innovators. When executed thoughtfully, franchising combines structured operational systems with passionate entrepreneurs who are invested in the success of children in their neighborhoods. By creating learning environments that foster digital

“

The overarching goal is to guide students in a way that helps them to think alongside technology.”

literacy, problem solving and creative thinking, these franchise owners are equipping students with the skills they’ll need for careers that may not exist yet. This combination of purpose and business has made education enrichment one of the fastest-growing, most dynamic segments in franchising.

260+ locations in North America and Europe Will the next location be yours? Scan to start your journey

54 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

A Growing Market, A Meaningful Mission

The future belongs to curious, adaptable learners, and supplemental education franchises give children the freedom to explore, experiment, and grow without fear of failure. By removing barriers and fostering creativity, these programs are doing so much more than simply supporting education, they empower students to succeed and inspire entrepreneurs to build a future of learning that is collaborative, imaginative, and full of possibilities.

Navin Gurnaney is the CEO of Code Ninjas. For more information about IFA franchisor member Code Ninjas, please visit franchise.org/franchise-opportunities/ code-ninjas-llc/.

17-18 APRIL

2026

FRANCHISOR INSIGHTS

WHAT I’VE LEARNED ABOUT BUILDING A FRANCHISE THAT LASTS By Kristen Denzer, Tierra Encantada

When I founded Tierra Encantada in 2013, my goal was simple: create the childcare experience I wanted for my own kids — Spanish immersion from infancy, freshcooked global meals, and diversity and inclusion in every classroom.

hat first center nearly broke me financially. I underestimated costs, opened with more staff than students, and burned through my working capital in two months. But I also learned foundational lessons that became the bedrock of our franchise system today — a fast-growing brand with locations across the country and consistent double-digit growth every year since we opened our doors. The journey from a single center to a scaling franchise has reinforced for me that real growth isn’t just about selling more units — it’s about building a system strong enough to succeed well beyond the “emerging” stage. Here are the lessons and insights I’ve learned along the way.

56 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

Build for 200 Units From Day One 1

One of the biggest mistakes I see is waiting to put scalable systems in place until you “get big enough.” If you want 200 locations, build the processes, tech, and reporting structures for 200 — even if you only have two. For example, we required P&L and balance sheet submissions from franchisees from day one, not after we hit a certain size. That discipline means we’re able to provide comparative financial insights that some of the largest franchisors in the United States are not able to offer their franchisees.

Invest in Product and Experience First, Growth Second 2

A deep moat isn’t built from marketing spend alone; it’s built from delivering a product so good that customers become your marketers. Before expanding aggressively, we doubled down on our differentiators: full Spanish immersion and a culinary program that expanded children’s palates. Today, most families find us through word-of-mouth, the most sustainable lead source there is.

Hire Before You “Need” the Role

No entrepreneur has ever said, “I regret hiring that rock star too early.” Talent leads growth, not the other way around. We brought in experienced leadership — marketing, operations, curriculum — before the workload was crushing. That early bench strength has helped us weather rapid growth without compromising quality.

4 Document Everything

If processes live only in your head, you’re the bottleneck. Early on, I delayed hiring because training someone felt slower than just doing the work myself, a trap many founders fall into. The fix? Document every recurring process, from ordering supplies to onboarding a franchisee. It’s an investment that pays for itself the first time you hire and can get someone up to speed in days instead of months.

Build Culture Through Talent — Not Taglines 5

“

Culture isn’t created by slogans; it’s built by the people you hire and how they show up every day.”

ensuring our franchisees succeed. We keep franchisee profitability front and center to all decisions, and before making any change to systems or classrooms, we ask: How many children would it take to cover that cost? Will this change help them enroll more children?

Culture isn’t created by slogans; it’s built by the people you hire and how they show up every day. For a franchise system to grow with excellence, you need A-players who not only have the skills but share your values. Hire people who care deeply, who will lose sleep if a franchisee isn’t hitting their numbers and will work tirelessly to help them turn it around. Use rigorous hiring processes and don’t settle for mediocre talent just to fill a seat. Be willing to carry a heavier load a little longer if it means finding the right person who will protect the brand, live the culture, and champion the success of every franchisee.

Address Conflict Early and Hold the Line on Standards

Unit Profitability Is Non-Negotiable

One of the most consistent pieces of feedback I hear from franchisees is how much they value open, candid communication. I’ve learned the hard way that decisions without context breed assumptions and frustration; decisions explained with data and reasoning build trust. Whether it’s a policy change or a strategic shift, I share the “why,” not just the “what.” When they see the bigger picture, they’re more likely to stand with you, not against

For franchisees, this isn’t just a business — it’s often their life savings, retirement funds, or the equity in their home. The stakes couldn’t be higher, which is why I approach franchising with the mindset that failure is not an option. Every decision, from site selection to marketing investment is made with rigor and a clear goal —

Conflict is inevitable in franchising, but how you handle it determines whether your system stays strong or slowly unravels. Don’t settle, and don’t give in to changes that compromise your brand. If you bend for one market and then another, before long your system won’t look anything like the brand you set out to build.

Lead with Transparency

you. Accountability and empathy aren’t opposites, together, they protect both the brand and the relationship.

Weather the Emotional Highs and Lows with Perspective 9

Franchising, like entrepreneurship, is a rollercoaster. There are moments of exhilaration like signing a new multi-unit deal, and moments that keep you up at night like an underperforming location or a staffing crisis. Resilience comes from knowing the lows aren’t permanent, the highs aren’t automatic, and your purpose is bigger than either. Lead with optimism, keep moving forward, and approach every twist and turn with an onward and upward mindset.

10 Know When You’re Ready to Franchise

One piece of advice I recently shared with another emerging franchisor: if your business can’t sustain itself without franchise fees, keep opening corporate locations and perfecting the model. Franchise fees should fuel growth, not keep the lights on. We waited to franchise until we had multiple profitable locations, strong systems, and enough cash flow to invest in franchising excellence. That foundation meant we could bring on the right talent and resources from day one, without relying on early franchisees to fund the infrastructure our franchisees deserved. Kristen Denzer is the CEO & founder of Tierra Encantada. For more information about IFA franchisor member Tierra Encantada, please visit franchise. org/franchise-opportunities/tierra-encantada/.

November/December 2025 / FRANCHISING WORLD 57

FEATURED FRANCHISEES The International Franchise Association is proud to celebrate our franchisee members. See below to learn more about some of our Featured Franchisees — why they got into franchising, their unique backgrounds and how they contribute to their local communities.

DAWN BENT

Dawn Bent, Signarama Franchisee, Huntington, NY

Thirty-seven years after opening a single storefront shop with a team of four, Signarama in Huntington has grown into a bustling operation employing 27 artisans, craftspeople and welders. The team there leverages modern technology to enhance traditional sign making techniques and create high-quality signage in a fraction of the time. Dawn

Bent opened that first shop in 1988 with her father, Nick Ziccardi, later expanding the leadership team to include her brother and partner, Mike Ziccardi. She’s the longest-term franchisee in Signarama, the largest company in the United Franchise Group portfolio of brands. The shop is recognized by the City and State of New York’s Women-Owned Business Enterprise program, one of many achievements that reflect Bent’s belief in giving back by giving a hand. “I am deeply committed to coaching and mentoring new designers and others coming into the trade, particularly women,” Bent said. “Now we see women out there on trucks, doing installations and project management at all stages. I endeavor to make the pathway for women in the sign industry to be imagined and attainable.” Bent’s shop has also created a Master Academy, a comprehensive weekend course for fellow Signarama franchisees that focuses on sign fabrication. She plans to continue positioning her shop as a mentor to rising sign professionals. “As we look ahead, I would like to introduce young designers and makers to the sign industry with increased offerings at trade programs and vocational schooling,” she said

FEATURED FRANCHISEES

JESSICA STARKS

Jessica Starks, Exit Factor and Transworld Business Advisors Franchisee, Grand Rapids and Lansing, MI

Jessica Starks took a leap of faith when she left a decade-long career in business banking to join the franchise industry. “I was stepping into a startup environment where income wouldn’t come right away,” she says, “but I saw franchising as a powerful way to accelerate my move into entrepreneurship.” Soon after beginning a career in public accounting, Starks realized it wasn’t the path meant for her. She moved briefly into payroll sales and then business banking. Eventually, in 2016, she found her way to Transworld Business Advisors and added her Exit Factor franchise in 2024. The two companies help business owners prepare for the sale of their companies and guide them through a strategic course to market. She knew she had found her niche. “The structure, resources and supportive community that came with franchising played a pivotal role in our success,” she says, “and reminded me that with the right foundation, bold moves can lead to incredible outcomes.” It’s been her honor and passion, and a success as well. She was recognized as the Transworld Business Advisors’ Rookie of the Year in 2018 and has earned several President’s Club awards for franchise performance. Starks appreciates the early stages of her career, recognizing them as the foundation that led her to her current success. “It’s incredible how each experience, whether big or small, can guide you toward your true calling,” she says. “Every step matters, and it’s amazing to see how the story unfolds.”

RYAN RATKOWSKI

Ryan Ratkowski, Turbo Tint Franchisee, Allen, TX

Ryan Ratkowski is proof that business success doesn’t need to follow a clear, linear path. Prior to becoming a franchisee with Turbo Tint, Ryan built a diverse professional background spanning financial planning, staffing and recruiting, and digital marketing. Over 25 years, he developed a unique skill set by learning to adapt quickly, lead teams, and solve complex problems across multiple industries. Despite a successful corporate career, Ryan wanted to pivot to entrepreneurship and sought franchise opportunities that offered structure, support, and the chance to partner with a proven system while still making an impact in his community. After considering eight franchises, he chose Turbo Tint for its strong reputation and a discovery day that allowed him to connect directly with the leadership team. He appreciated the personal approach and transparency and saw an opportunity to leverage his experience in people, processes, and marketing to grow his franchise successfully. Since opening his store in July 2024, Ryan has applied his “many hats” mentality to leadership, customer service, and team development. He has built a standout location in Allen, Texas, with plans to expand across Dallas. Ryan isn’t in the business to become a millionaire — he aims to leave a lasting impact for his customers and employees. Living by the core value of “service above all,” he ensures customers leave satisfied, even when challenges arise, while also prioritizing employee growth and retention. His story demonstrates how diverse experience and a focus on people can drive success in franchising.

November/December 2025 / FRANCHISING WORLD 59

FEATURED FRANCHISEES

RON BANDYK

Ron Bandyk, The Grout Medic Franchisee, Naperville, IL

When Ron Bandyk left a career in accounting and finance to become a business owner, he never imagined he’d be running a grout and tile restoration company. But in 2011, after years of corporate work in public accounting, commercial real estate, and foreclosure auctions, Ron decided it was time to build something of his own. He purchased an existing Grout Medic location in Naperville, Illinois, drawn to the brand’s long track record and reputation for quality service. In the early years, support from the franchisor was limited, and Ron had to learn quickly. “We were always cashflow positive, but growth was slow because we didn’t have the vendor relationships or marketing systems most franchises provide,” he recalled. He invested in new technology, streamlined processes, and over time built a team he could rely on, several of whom have been with him for more than a decade. Today, as part of Premium Service Brands, Ron has leveraged national systems, vendor partnerships, and peer networking to scale. He’s transitioned into more of a general manager role, empowering his senior technicians and salespeople to lead day-to-day operations while he focuses on growth. The business is on track to earn nearly $1 million this year. Ron also makes giving back a priority. Through KidsLift, he’s led coat drives, food collections, and “birthday box” initiatives to support families in need. “This business gives me the flexibility to serve my customers, my employees, and my community,” he said. “That’s what I’m most proud of.”

60 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

JAMIE SEEBURGER

Jamie Seeburger, PJ’s Coffee Franchisee, St. Louis, MO

Jamie Seeburger has built her career around hospitality and service. She started at 15 as a hostess at her local Denny’s and spent the next decade learning every station while putting herself through college and a master’s program. Those years shaped her approach to leadership, consistency, and hospitality. Her interest in coffee took hold during graduate school, when she wrote her thesis in a small local café. After moving to Lake St. Louis, Missouri, she saw an opening for a welcoming place where people could study, meet, and feel connected. That idea became PJ’s Coffee of Lake St. Louis. Today, Jamie’s café serves as a neighborhood hub. She partners with local schools and community groups, hosts fundraisers and seasonal events, and records Couchside Coffee, a podcast produced in-store that spotlights area business owners, educators, and nonprofit leaders. Jamie’s focus is on creating a space that feels personal and familiar — a place where good coffee and genuine connection go hand in hand.

PREFERRED VENDORS

IFA's preferred vendors offer franchisors and franchisees products and services to advance their brands. www.franchise.org/ifa-preferred-venors

AnswerConnect is an industry leader in live reception services, offering complete support for your entire franchise system—whether it’s franchise development or individual franchisees. Available 24/7/365, AnswerConnect expertly handles calls, sets appointments, qualifies leads, transfers calls, integrates with CRMs, and much more. answerconnect.com/franchise

As the authority in franchise funding, Benetrends has been funding America’s most popular brands for 40 years. Benetrends' innovative and comprehensive suite of funding solutions not only helps franchisees successfully launch their dreams, but also helps catapult growth of franchise systems. www.benetrends.com

Constant Contact simplifies digital marketing for franchisors with an all-in-one platform for email, social, landing pages, and more. Whether you’re an emerging franchise or an established system, our platform empowers franchisors to decide how much control to maintain at the top while giving franchisees the flexibility they need for local marketing success. www.constantcontact.com/partners/ franchise

Consumer Fusion helps franchise systems maintain brand consistency, safeguard their reputation, and accelerate digital growth. From AI-powered reputation management and sentiment analysis to streamlining social media and local SEO, Consumer Fusion delivers franchise-specific technology and strategic support. www.consumerfusion.com

Morrow Hill is a technology-driven commercial real estate firm that exclusively represents tenants with an unbiased, market-true lens. Through our Build + Design + Manage Services, we provide expert site selection, space planning, and project management supported by a dedicated client team. www.morrowhill.com

Paychex is a leading provider of integrated human capital management solutions for payroll, benefits, human resources, and insurance services. We’re a digitally driven HR leader on a mission to help franchise businesses succeed by making complex challenges brilliantly simple. www.paychex.com/franchise

Scorpion is the leader in helping franchises succeed by focusing on what truly matters—driving revenue. Our digital marketing solutions support your network every step of the way, helping tell your story online, attract more of the right customers, and turn those opportunities into measurable results. www.scorpion.co/ifa

FRANPAC’S CURRENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF FEDERAL CANDIDATES AS OF DECEMBER 12, 2025. =

REPORT CARD

IFA’s political action committee, FranPAC, supports pro-franchise, pro-business candidates for U.S. Congress.

2024-2025 Cycle Expenditures: $ 412,000

Republicans............... $ 277,000 (67%) Democrats................. $ 135,000 (33%) U.S. House of Representatives NAME

STATE

PARTY

Rep. Adam Gray

Democratic

$2,500

Rep. Ami Bera

Democratic

$5,000

Rep. Brad Schneider

Democratic

$2,500

Rep. Chris Pappas

Democratic

$1,000

Rep. Don Davis

Democratic

$7,500

Rep. Ed Case

Democratic

$3,500

Rep. Eric Sorensen

Democratic

$1,000

Rep. Haley Stevens

Democratic

$5,000

Rep. Henry Cuellar

Democratic

$2,500

Rep. Hillary Scholten

Democratic

$5,000

Rep. Janelle Bynum

Democratic

$1,500

Rep. Jared Golden

Democratic

$2,500

Rep. Jim Costa

Democratic

$2,000

Rep. Jimmy Panetta

Democratic

$2,000

Rep. Josh Gottheimer

Democratic

$1,000

Rep. Kevin Mullin

Democratic

$1,000

Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet MI

Democratic

$3,000

Rep. Lateefah Simon

Democratic

$1,000

Rep. Lou Correa

Democratic

$5,000

Rep. Marc Veasey

Democratic

$2,000

Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon

Democratic

$1,000

Rep. Morgan McGarvey

Democratic

$4,000

Rep. Nellie Pou

Democratic

$1,000

Rep. Nikki Budzinski

Democratic

$1,000

Rep. Nydia Velazquez

Democratic

$1,000

Rep. Pete Aguilar

Democratic

$1,000

62 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

AMOUNT

Rep. Scott Peters

Democratic

$3,500

Rep. Shomari C. Figures

Democratic

$2,000

Rep. Troy Carter

Democratic

$1,000

Rep. Vicente Gonzalez

Democratic

$3,000

Rep. Aaron Bean

Republican

$3,500

Rep. Ashley Hinson

Republican

$2,000

Rep. Beth Van Duyne

Republican

$5,000

Rep. Blake Moore

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Bob Onder

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Brandon Gill

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Brett Guthrie

Republican

$2,000

Rep. Buddy Carter

Republican

$3,000

Rep. Burgess Owens

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Carol Miller

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Chuck Edwards

Republican

$2,500

Rep. Cliff Bentz

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Darin LaHood

Republican

$1,000

Rep. David Rouzer

Republican

$4,000

Rep. Erin Houchin

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Glenn Grothman

Republican

$2,000

Rep. Greg Steube

Republican

$1,000

Rep. James Comer Jr.

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Jason Smith

Republican

$6,000

Rep. Jeff Hurd

Republican

$1,000

Rep. John Moolenaar

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Julia Letlow

Republican

$5,000

Rep. Julie Fedorchak

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Kevin Hern

Republican

$5,000

Rep. Kevin Kiley

Republican

$2,000

Rep. Lance Gooden

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Lisa McClain

Republican

$6,000

Rep. Lloyd Smucker

Republican

$5,000

Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar

Republican

$2,500

Rep. Mark Harris

Republican

$4,500

Rep. Michael Baumgartner

Republican

$1,000

Sen. Markwayne Mullin

Republican

$5,000

Rep. Michael Rulli

Republican

$2,000

Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Mike Carey

Republican

$1,000

Sen. Mike Crapo

Republican

$2,000

Rep. Mike Lawler

Republican

$1,000

Sen. Mike Rounds

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Mike Johnson

Republican

$40,000

Sen. Roger Marshall

Republican

$5,000

Rep. Mike Kelly Jr.

Republican

$1,000

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Nathaniel Moran

Republican

$1,000

Sen. Susan Collins

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Pete Stauber

Republican

$5,000

Sen. Ted Budd

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Rich McCormick

Republican

$2,500

Sen. Thom Tillis

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Roger Williams

Republican

$1,000

Sen. Tom Cotton

Republican

$2,500

Rep. Ron Estes

Republican

$1,000

Sen. Jim Banks

Republican

$2,500

Rep. Rudy Yakym III

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Scott Fitzgerald

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Stephanie Bice

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Tim Walberg

Republican

$7,000

Rep. Tom Barrett

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Tom Emmer Jr.

Republican

$5,000

Rep. Tom Kean Jr.

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Tony Wied

Republican

$5,000

Rep. Trent Kelly

Republican

$1,000

Rep. Vince Fong

Republican

$1,000

U.S. Senate

Leadership PACs/Party Committees Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Democratic

$5,000

New Democrat Coalition Action Fund

Democratic

$5,000

CBC PAC

Democratic

$2,500

JUNTOS PAC

Democratic

$1,000

DSCC

Democratic

$15,000

I GOT YOUR BACK PAC

Democratic

$5,000

Blue Dog PAC

Democratic

$5,000

BADLANDS PAC

Republican

$3,000

National Republican Senatorial Committee

Republican

$15,000

NRCC

Republican

$30,000

Republican

$5,000

Sen. Angela D. Alsobrooks

Democratic

$1,000

Sen. John Hickenlooper

Democratic

$6,000

BUILDING A NATIONAL KNOWLEGEABLE SECURITY PAC

Sen. Mark Kelly

Democratic

$5,000

AMERICAN REVIVAL PAC

Republican

$5,000

Republican

$1,000

Republican

$3,500

Sen. Mark R. Warner

Democratic

$5,000

GUTHRIE VICTORY FUND

Sen. Bill Cassidy

Republican

$4,500

SOCK IT TO 'EM PAC

Sen. Dan Sullivan

Republican

$3,000

Sen. Eric S. Schmitt

Republican

$5,000

Sen. James Lankford

Republican

$5,000

Sen. John Cornyn III

Republican

$3,500

Sen. John Thune

Republican

$5,000

Sen. John A. Barrasso

Republican

$1,000

Sen. Jon A. Husted

Republican

$2,000

Sen. Joni Ernst

Republican

$2,500

Sen. Josh Hawley

Republican

$3,500

Sen. Katie Britt

Republican

$1,000

November/December 2025 / FRANCHISING WORLD 63

WELCOME

NEW IFA MEMBERS.

Franchisors

Commercial Investigations LLC, dba CIChecked

Promont Insurance Advisors, A DOXA Company

Franchise Flippers

RBO PrintLogistix, Inc

FranLift

ReputationStacker

Joel Worthington Leadership

Ringba

Suppliers

Robinson, TX Contact: Mr. Joel Worthington www.joelworthington.com

Adyen NV

Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter Co, LPA

Sendible

Aterra

KORTX

Soulkal Apparel Business Solutions

Balconi Mediation Services, LLC

Mendelson Consulting Inc.

Sweet Influencers

Black Iron Advisors

NeatBooks LLC

The Consultant Exchange

Block, Inc.

Netfor

The Local Agency

Cascade Coaching

Opus Training

Vetrepreneur

Cerca

Pioneer Equity Partners

Vox-Pop-Uli Inc.

2B Organized Franchise Systems, Inc. Springfiled, MO Contact: Ms. Betsy Miller www.2b-organized.com

iBoost Talent

Atlanta, GA Contact: Bill Tasillo, CFE www.iboosttalent.com

Jersey Mike’s Subs

Manasquan, NJ Contact: Mr. Brian M. Sommers www.jerseymikes.com

San Francisco, CA Contact: Phil Crawford www.adyen.com West Des Moines, IA Contact: Jack Esser aterracs.com Marshfield Hills, MA Contact: Mr. Brian Balconi www.balconimediation.com

Denver, CO Contact: Mr. Boris Katsnelson www.blackironadvisers.com Oakland, CA Contact: Mr. Connor Haffey block.xyz Dallas, TX Contact: Clint Justice www.leadwithcascade.com Macey, Grand Est Contact: Mr. Louis Chevalier cerca.io/en

64 FRANCHISING WORLD / November/December 2025

Latham, NY Contact: Heidi Winterble www.cichecked.com/ifa

Fort Collins, CO Contact: Christopher Baker www.franchiseflippers.com Van Alstyne, TX Contact: Deora Pollock franlift.com

Columbus, OH Contact: John Eddy www.keglerbrown.com

Berkley, MI Contact: Erik Stubenvoll kortx.io Pembroke Pines, FL Contact: Payton Viator www.mendelsonconsulting.com Doral, FL Contact: Maria Martinez neatbooksllc.com Indianapolis, IN Contact: Mr. Ian Medley www.netfor.com New York, NY Contact: Frances Liu www.opus.so Waxhaw, NC Contact: Mr. Graham Weihmiller, CFE pioneerequity.com

Fort Wayne, IN Contact: Marvin Cigarroa www.promontadvisors.com

Maryland Heights, MO Contact: Cathy Armstrong www.rboinc.com San Francisco, CA Contact: Cherlin Johnson ReputationStacker.com Dover, DE Contact: Chad King www.ringba.com London, Contact: Simon Sothcott www.sendible.com Vista, CA Contact: Tom Vollbrecht soulkal.com

Scottsdale, AZ Contact: Ms. Angela Olea www.sweetinfluencers.ai Austin, TX Contact: Steven Inglefield www.theconsultantexchange.com Miami, FL Contact: Paul Warren thelocalagency.com/ Moon Township, PA Contact: Mr. Chris Hale vetrepreneur.com Peachtree Corners, GA Contact: Daniel Hajdak vox-pop-uli.com

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resource for reaching qualiﬁed franchise buyers

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ADVERTISE WHERE IT COUNTS Brent Davis VP, Franchise Sales (949) 622-7126 bdavis@entrepreneur.com Sources: *Ipsos 2024 Spring, ^MRI 2024 Summer and Entrepreneur Survey