Just got back from a great International Franchise Association (IFA) Annual Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, for 2024. From participating in the IFA’s Membership Committee, I learned that this year's convention attendees numbered 3,800, with 488 first-timers. Great to see the growth! This year was, I believe, my 35th time attending an IFA Convention. I started at an early age with my family’s franchise business, and yes, I'm getting a bit older. I love it!
The franchise industry is full of events throughout the year. Many of these events are specific and focused on a particular area or topic; others are more broad, and of course, most brands have their own conferences to bring their owners and people together. As this year starts, I thought I'd touch on the first three events I'm planning to attend this first quarter.
As 2023 comes to a close, I've taken some time to reflect on the year, and I have to say it was a great year overall. The year included many conferences, several speaking engagements, and plenty of board meetings. It was a very successful year for myself and those I work with. As a franchise expert, advisor and speaker, I really enjoy the work that I do and the people I get to collaborate with. My business travel adventures started with a fun time at the IFA Convention in Las Vegas, where my wife and two daughters joined me. That was a lot of fun and the first time we've ever done that.
In early November, I had a great time participating at this year's IFA's Emerging Franchisor Conference in New Orleans. I have been to this event several times before and was fortunate enough to be invited back again as a speaker and roundtable facilitator.
Being a franchisee in a successful brand is a significant achievement that typically takes lots of time, money, hard work and excellent execution by the franchisee at the local level. If you developed yourself to this level of success, congratulations! It is no accident, and you deserve to be proud and excited about achieving this success.
I am just back from the Franchise Business Review Franchise Summit event in Austin, Texas, and it was a great time! This was my second time participating in this event. There was great energy in the room, many people providing perspective insights and solid advice, and several great speakers too - tons of value and learning. There were plenty of inspiring moments and connections, a fun “Texas Tailgate” reception, as well as fundraising for the local animal shelter.
To have a successful franchise brand, you will need successful franchisees. It may sound easy to recruit and retain these high performers, but it's often not as simple as you may think.
As I've mentioned before, franchising is not easy, and it has its own set of skills, experiences and talent required to be successful. Operating the business is different from franchising that business. Fortunately, in today's modern age, there is an abundance of places where franchisors and franchisees can get support and learn more to improve their business and everything related to it.
Starting a franchise business as a franchisee within a franchise brand and system is an exciting opportunity! A successful franchisee is, in some ways, an entrepreneur. They're not truly creating a new brand or business. Instead, they are implementing and executing that brand and model in their local market. It is clearly an entrepreneurial enterprise to begin any new business, but using the strength and benefits of a franchise is not as entrepreneurial as a true startup of an entirely new brand and new business unique to the world; therefore, these actions are not the same.
Becoming a franchisee is a serious commitment. It's the most significant commitment most people ever make beyond buying a house and getting married. Most individuals are not fortunate enough to own a business or a franchise or pursue anything beyond general employment. It is important to understand the risks and expectations of starting a franchise business and identify that this endeavor is not for everyone.
From time to time, people ask me how they might franchise the business they own. Generally speaking, I help them understand what's really involved in the process and this substantive undertaking; it's very complicated, costly and quite a considerable commitment. Often, people underestimate what's involved, which can be dangerous. I like to give people an accurate, honest and complete perspective on the situation so they can make a well-informed decision. If you've got a great business that you believe would make an excellent franchise model, here are a few ideas for you to know and consider for becoming a franchisor.
John Francis is an enthusiastic, engaging business advisor, and an entertaining public speaker for franchise brands because he speaks from experience and he speaks from the heart. Franchising is in his blood, and his parents were true pioneers in the industry, turning their family haircutting business into a 1,000-salon franchise empire. He has been a franchisee and a franchisor, and has a deep understanding of the issues both face. Engage John as an advisor or to speak at your event, and you and your franchisees will learn how to look at your business in new, positive, and profitable ways.