One of the most practical and honest conversations at the 2026 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference was found in the growth workshop, “Getting Out of the ‘Hell Zone.’” The title clearly struck a nerve with the audience, because for many franchisees, the “Hell Zone” is one of the hardest phases of growth: that stretch where you are […]
At the 2026 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference, one of the most timely conversations focused on a challenge every franchise operator is feeling: how to win when consumers are more cautious, labor is harder to find and keep, and the definition of value has fundamentally changed. In the general session, “The Great Consumer and Employee Reset: Rethinking […]
In a lively Growth Workshop at the 2026 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference, Susan Black-Beth, Alec Fogarty, and Blake Lantero unpack the realities of outside capital, growth partnerships, and what investors are really looking for. For multi-unit franchisees, private equity can represent opportunity, optionality, and growth capital—but it can also raise big questions about control, culture, timing, […]
By Matt Haller, President & CEO, International Franchise Association On the opening day of the 2026 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference (MUFC), I had the opportunity to sit down with Greg Flynn, Founder and CEO of Flynn Group and IFA Board member, for a fireside chat on the main stage. This was a unique moment for the […]
Smarter Than Raising Prices or Cutting Staff: How 5 Franchise Brands Reengineered Value When rising costs put pressure on customers and franchisees alike, the traditional responses have been to raise prices or cut staff. But a new wave of franchise leaders is taking a different path: value reengineering — cutting what doesn’t matter to customers […]
At the 2025 Emerging Franchisor Conference, attendees were treated to a true masterclass in franchising fundamentals, led by industry veteran and IFA Past Chair, David Barr. In his session, “Franchise Fundamentals for Lasting Growth,” Barr drew from decades of experience – from restaurant frontlines to boardrooms – to help emerging franchisors cut through the noise, […]