Johnny Franchise: The Franchise Expert

This Is My Non-Franchise Franchise. And It Might Be My Favorite One.

Written by John Francis | Jun 12, 2026 1:30:05 PM

About the Author
John W. Francis (“Johnny Franchise®”) is a franchise strategist and advisor with more than three decades of hands-on experience as a franchisee, franchisor, operator, and board member. He works with franchise CEOs and leadership teams on franchise strategy, operational consistency, and long-term multi-unit growth through Next Level Franchise.

Father's Day is always the third Sunday in June. And the night before Father's Day, every year, is Fathers Eve. We take that night and turn it into something intentional. Not a brunch. Not a tie. A night for dads to actually connect, raise a glass, and be a little more deliberate about the most important job any of us will ever have.

We are trying to make it a thing. A real, unofficial, annual tradition. And honestly, it already is one.

It started in a garage in Minnesota. Now it is in over 26 cities and more are coming online every day.

 

The Night Is Simple

Dads gather. Dads connect. At 8:00 PM local time, everyone raises a toast. No agenda, no keynote, no pitch deck. Just dads showing up for each other, in person and online.

This year's theme is The Call of Dad. Showing up through the big moments, the quiet ones, and everything in between.

8:00 PM local time · everywhere

"To the Dads."

No agenda. No keynote. No pitch deck.
Just dads showing up for each other.

Where We Are This Year

Events are happening across the country and the list keeps growing. If you do not see your city yet, check back. Someone near you is probably already organizing.

Cities with events in 2026

Minneapolis · Chicago · Cincinnati · Milwaukee
Atlanta · Phoenix · Charlotte · and more every day

I will be at our Minneapolis event at Punch Bowl Social. If you are in the Twin Cities, come say hi. And wherever you are, there is probably an event near you or a toast you can join from your living room.

Please Share This One

Most of the people reading this are franchisors, operators, and business builders. Most of you are also dads. Forward this to someone who should know about it. Text it to your group chat. Put it on LinkedIn.

Fathers Eve grows because dads invite other dads. That is the whole model. Open door, everyone welcome, no dues, no drama.

See you June 20.

Find an Event Near You Join the Online Toast at 8 PM


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