By Mike Rozman, BoeFly

Franchise development is at a tipping point.

In an era where multi-brand ownership is increasingly common, candidates are evaluating franchisors as critically as consumers evaluate brands.

Every interaction — from the first inquiry to the submission of sensitive financial documents — leaves an impression. For development teams, this creates both a challenge and an opportunity: the traditional, manual processes that once sufficed are no longer competitive. Today, technology is the differentiator that allows brands to streamline workflows, enhance security, and accelerate growth.

Over the past 2–3 years, franchise development teams have faced rising pressures that demand smarter technology solutions. Franchisors that fail to modernize risk friction, delays, and missed opportunities. Candidates are savvy, having likely gone through similar processes at other brands. Redundant requests for basic information, or apparent insecure handling of sensitive data, can signal that a franchisor is behind the times. Conversely, a secure, centralized platform that minimizes repetitive steps not only improves the candidate experience, but also builds trust, positions the brand as professional, and shortens the path from inquiry to franchise award. This level of attention also signals to the candidate that the brand doesn’t award an agreement without due diligence.

Today’s smart franchisors are looking to reduce repetitive tasks, provide real-time visibility into the application pipeline, and ensure security of personal identifiable information (PII). As candidates engage with multiple brands simultaneously, every detail matters: speed, accuracy, and professionalism directly influence conversion rates.

What Modern Franchise Development Tech Means in 2026

The conversation around “modernizing” franchise development is about more than automation — it’s about intelligent, secure, and centralized workflows. Key features franchisors should prioritize include:

• Security: Advanced encryption, multi-factor authentication, and secure cloud storage protect sensitive candidate data, reducing risk and building trust.
• Elimination of Redundancy: Platforms that allow candidates to submit data once and share it across relevant forms reduce frustration and increase engagement.
• Pipeline Visibility: Knowing when a candidate started, stopped, or paused their application allows sales teams to tailor follow-up and improve conversion rates.

These capabilities not only support compliance and operational efficiency but also enhance the overall franchisee experience, which is increasingly a critical factor in closing deals.

Digital Applications Transform Onboarding

One tangible example of this trend is the rise of digital application platforms. These tools consolidate workflows, reduce manual steps, and give candidates a responsive, intuitive experience. Our company launched a new digital application tool in 2025 to meet modern franchisors’ needs and early adopters report measurable improvements in both efficiency and candidate satisfaction.

Beyond centralizing candidate information, these tools offer analytics, custom branding, and integrated financial verification, all while reducing administrative burden and allowing sales teams to focus on relationship-building.

Measurable Impact

Adopting the right technology should yield clear, quantifiable results. An analysis of our bVerify platform revealed that the time from franchise disclosure to brand approval dropped by half — from 62 days to 31 days. We could also see that applicants who received financial prequalification were 67 percent more likely to become franchisees than those who did not.

These metrics are not unique to BoeFly; they reflect a broader principle: when systems reduce friction, improve visibility, and safeguard sensitive data, the entire franchise development process becomes faster, more efficient, and more predictable.

Best Practices for Implementation

Even the best technology only delivers results if it’s implemented thoughtfully. Successful rollouts include:

• Senior Buy-In: Leaders must champion the change to ensure alignment and adoption across teams.
• Education on “Why”: Users need context on why workflows are changing, not just how.
• Ongoing Training: Follow-up sessions address inevitable questions and build confidence in the platform.
• Feedback Loops: Sales teams often know best what features help or hinder the development process. Listening to them guides continuous improvement.

By following these principles, franchisors can modernize without disrupting day-to-day operations.

Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond

The next 12–24 months will bring even more transformative tools. Artificial intelligence will enhance candidate scoring, provide predictive insights, and allow development teams to better understand the ROI of marketing investments. Franchisors will increasingly combine proprietary data with AI to make smarter decisions about where to focus resources and which candidates to prioritize.

Those who remain curious and proactive about integrating these technologies will enjoy not just efficiency gains but strategic advantages in a competitive market.

Franchise development is no longer a purely manual, paper-based process. Today’s candidates expect a seamless, secure, and efficient experience. Franchisors that embrace technology to deepen relationships with their candidates will reap measurable rewards: faster approvals, higher conversion rates, and stronger brand perception.

The message is clear: modern technology isn’t optional; it’s a strategic imperative for every franchisor looking to grow efficiently and sustainably in 2026 and beyond.

Mike Rozman is the CEO and founder of BoeFly. For more information about IFA supplier member BoeFly, please visit franchise.org/suppliers/boefly-llc/.