2023 Emerging Franchisor Conference

Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your franchise? The unique franchise business model has long been hailed as an economic catalyst, providing entrepreneurs with the brand recognition, established systems, value proposition, and support necessary to achieve personal wealth and contribute to job growth across the economic spectrum. As a franchisor, you understand the power and potential of this model, but have you considered how you can best support your franchisees in critical areas such as real estate, construction, finances, acquisitions, second-generation planning, etc.?

Join us for this special session featuring Jerry Akers, a seasoned franchise expert, known for his remarkable track record of success and support. In this interactive workshop, Jerry will guide you through seven of the top building blocks that will lay a solid foundation for your franchise's growth. With Jerry's expertise and insights, you will learn how to transform your franchise dream into a practical, step-by-step success path for your franchisees.

This workshop is designed to provide you with invaluable knowledge and practical strategies to strengthen your franchise support systems and empower your franchisees. Whether you're a seasoned franchisor or just embarking on your franchising journey, this session offers a unique opportunity to gain the insights and expertise necessary to take your franchise to new heights.

Speaker: Jerry Akers, Franchisee Owner, Great Clips of Palo, IA

Credits: 3 CFE Education Credits

$399(member fee)/ $499(non-member fee)

Understanding the numbers involved in single and growing, multi-unit franchising and knowing what to do to make them more favorable will give you a clear picture of the current franchise financial model and how to succeed with it.

Speaker: Aicha Bascaro, Founder & CEO, American Franchise Academy LLC 

Credits: 1.5 CFE Education Credits

$250(member fee)/ $350(non-member fee

Join your fellow franchisor attendees on a tour of Painting with a Twist Franchise headquarters and hear from their marketing and operation leadership. To top it off you will spend time in their studio painting a creation to take home.

(Registration is limited to 25 people.)
(Bus departs at 12:00pm and arrives back at the hotel by 3:30pm)

Becoming a franchisor is more than selling the rights to duplicate your brand. You must have systems in place to protect it, support your franchisee’s success, scale the number of units, increase revenue, and manage the enterprise business. Having these systems in place is what allows the brand to have long-term success.

Speaker: Aicha Bascaro, Founder & CEO, American Franchise Academy

Credits: 1.5 CFE Education Credits

$250(member fee)/ $350(non-member fee

Emcee: Meg Roberts, CFE, CEO & President, The Lash Lounge

Speaker: David Barr, Chairman, PMTD Restaurants LLC; Managing Director & Partner, Franworth

We are offering the role of conference coach this year, where program speakers will be paired up with a cohort of attendees to help guide at least once before and during the program. Prior to the conference, at minimum, they have connected during the pre-conference webinar. The Conference Coach will help guide them through the conference and ensure they take away the education and solutions to help their brand. In addition, there will be an organized speed dating format led by the moderator for attendees to meet other franchise professionals in the room to share best practices and help build their network.

Moderator: Meg Roberts, CFE, CEO & President, The Lash Lounge

Enjoy an evening of networking and camaraderie with your fellow attendees and take the opportunity to engage with members of the IFA Government Relations team. Discover firsthand how IFA is committed to actively advocating for the protection and sustainability of the franchise model.

off-site location: Lucy’s, 701 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

Sponsor facilitators to lead one 40-minute topic discussion starting at 7:50 AM.

Private Equity, platforms, franchise brokers and Franchise Sales Outsourcing companies (FSO) are very attractive to an emerging brand looking to grow their business and take the world by storm. This session will help guide emerging brands to identify and qualify what is best for their brand and existing franchisees. Learn about the opportunities and risks of the different perspectives from franchise leaders that have seen it all! And hear how the IFA translates these approaches when advocating on the Hill to protect local business owners.

Moderator: Matt Haller, President & CEO, IFA

Speakers: Sam Ballas, East Coast Wings + Grill, ZorAbility & Myfrii; David Humphrey, IFA Chair; Vice Chair, Ignite Fitness Holdings; Steve Hockett, CEO, Great Clips, Inc.; Mary Kennedy Thompson, IFA Vice Chair; COO of Franchise Brands, Neighborly

This group activity adds value to every attendee by connecting them with seasoned franchising and operations experts (“mentors”) in a problem-solving setting. Come prepared with a specific problem in your field you would like to find an innovative solution for. After a brief introduction, the mentor asks participants what their specific problem is and other attendees at the table can offer relevant feedback and ideas based on experience.

Speaker: Aaron Harper, CEO & Owner, Rolling Suds

Sponsor facilitators to lead two 40-minute topic discussions.

Hear from franchisees telling their stories about what a good franchisor can do/does for them.
 

Chat with your conference coaches and share instant feedback which may allow for any redirection after this full day of content.

Stress free networking – Need help taking the first step in forging new business relationships? Join a small group of ten franchisors to dine at a nearby restaurant. Get a taste of New Orleans while creating bonds with your fellow attendees. (Included in registration fee.)

What does it take to succeed in franchising/business? How can you train your mind to be unstoppable? How do you handle pressure? (Pressure Makes Diamonds) Will you fold like a cheap chair or will you FUEL YOUR DRIVE and Succeed!
 

Speaker: Josh York, Founder & CEO, GymGuyz