Two years ago, the IFA Franchise Ascension Initiative (FAI) was simply an idea — an ambitious effort to open more doors into franchising.

Today, as the program concludes its second year, that idea has already helped launch nearly 50 aspiring franchisees onto a path toward business ownership. I had a front-row seat to the moment curiosity began turning into clarity. Over the past six months, I watched working professionals, Veterans, community leaders, and first-time entrepreneurs step into a space that, for many of them, had previously felt just a bit out of reach.

The Franchise Ascension Initiative was designed for exactly that moment.

FAI is a six-month accelerator program that prepares individuals from underrepresented groups and communities for a career in franchise ownership. The program blends best-in-class education, mentorship, coaching, and hands-on exposure to the franchise ecosystem. The goal is simple but powerful: open the door to an industry that has long been one of the most reliable pathways to business ownership and wealth creation.

But opening the door isn’t enough. People need to feel comfortable walking through it.

For many in this cohort, the most transformative part of the FAI experience was the unmatched access it provides. Some had heard of franchising before joining the program, but the mechanics of the industry — the relationships, the systems, the decision points — were largely invisible to them. That changed quickly.

When Cohort 2 attended the IFA Advocacy Summit in September and later the IFA Convention in February, something shifted. These are rooms where the future of franchising is actively being discussed and shaped. And for many FAI participants, it was the first time they saw themselves represented in those spaces.

The impact of that visibility was immediate.

Participants began asking sharper questions, making connections, and building relationships that will last well beyond the program itself. Mentorship played a critical role in that process, offering a behind-the-scenes view of how the franchise system actually works.

Cohort member, Rockquetta Harris, described the experience this way:

“My mentor, Michelle Popelka, played a pivotal role by providing behind-the-scenes access to how franchising functions at the franchisor level. Through her, I was introduced to professionals whose perspectives spanned the full franchise lifecycle: a longtime franchise business broker who recently became a franchisee, members of the franchisor sales, onboarding and support team, and an experienced former multi-unit owner who had successfully exited and now supports franchisees from within the system.”

That kind of exposure turns an abstract idea into a tangible career path.

By the end of the program, the change in perspective was unmistakable. What once felt complicated and opaque began to look structured and navigable. Participants left with a clearer understanding of the franchise landscape, stronger professional networks, and the confidence to move forward.

Harris captured that transformation perfectly:

“As I conclude my time in this FAI cohort, I find myself in a place I could not have fully imagined when I first arrived, my vision blurry, motivated but uncertain. What once felt extremely unfamiliar and out of reach now feels structured, intentional, and attainable.”

That shift — from uncertainty to intention — is exactly what FAI aims to create. Soon, these aspiring entrepreneurs will transition from prospects to official franchise business owners, bringing fresh energy, new ideas, and diverse perspectives to the franchise community.

And now, we’re preparing for the next chapter. Recruitment for the next FAI cohort is underway, with the program launching in August and running through February 2027. Applications are open through May 1, with early applicants receiving early decisions.

For anyone who has ever wondered where to begin in franchising, this program was built to answer that question. And if this year’s cohort is any indication, the next group will walk away with an even bigger support network, and a clear path forward on their journey into successful franchise ownership.

David Smith is the director of diversity programs at the International Franchise Association.

 

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