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Theater 1
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Jon Taffer shares his proven approach to building businesses that create the right customer reactions, drive revenue and scale with discipline. Drawing from Bar Rescue, Taffer’s Tavern and decades advising major brands, Jon will show franchise owners and operators how to strengthen systems, leadership, guest experience and accountability to build brands that last.
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Buying a franchise is a significant investment, and understanding the process is key to making an informed decision. This session will explore the advantages of franchising, highlight what prospective franchisees should look for in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), explain key provisions of the Franchise Agreement, and discuss the value of franchisee associations. Attendees will leave with practical insights and the confidence to evaluate franchise opportunities more effectively before making their investment.
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With 25 years and thousands of franchise units across multiple brands and 26 countries, Sean Oatney, CFE breaks down what it truly takes to build a franchise system that scales — and lasts. From franchisee recruitment and validation to multi-unit growth strategy, real estate, and franchisee relations, this session delivers actionable frameworks for franchisors at every stage. Walk away with clarity on what to fix, what to prioritize, and what separates the brands that endure from the ones that don't.
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The strongest franchise leaders approach each location with an owner-operator mindset. Viewing the business at the unit level sharpens decision-making around franchisee economics, support systems, and the real drivers of performance, focusing less on metrics that merely look impressive in a board presentation and more on what genuinely improves results on the ground.
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Data analytics are important when considering new sites for development, and in-person visits are essential for franchise growth. This presentation will cover site selection best practices including how in-person visits can mitigate risk, help you view the site through the customers’ eyes and guide you in selecting the strongest sites for your restaurant.
Theater 1
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Franchise brands aren't just selling a business model — they're selecting a partner. Join 40 year franchising veteran, Steve White, for a look behind the curtain on what top franchise systems actually evaluate when vetting candidates, beyond capital and credit scores. Attendees will learn the traits that separate franchisees who thrive from those who struggle, giving aspiring and current franchisees a candid look at how decisions are really made; and gives franchisors a framework for sharpening their own recruitment criteria. Whether you're evaluating your first franchise opportunity or refining how your brand selects its next operator, you'll walk away with a clearer picture of what "the right fit" truly means.
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Hear from two successful multi-unit, multi-brand franchise operators as they share how they built thriving businesses - while staying grounded as a close-knit family. Discover the strategies, lessons learned, and values that have fueled their growth without sacrificing what matters most at home.
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Be inspired as Randy explores the evolution of brand identity and scaling with intention, from non-traditional venues to destination-driven experiences. Learn how adaptive formats, bold creativity, and innovative builds drive growth across full-service, quick-serve, and unconventional spaces. He’ll also unpack the power of culture, influencers, and purpose-driven impact in shaping meaningful brand connections.Speakers
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Within a few years, AI will be table stakes in franchising: every brand will run, more or less, the same automated back office. So where's the edge? It collapses back onto what franchising has always been: the local relationship, the team, and the community. This session reframes the question from "how do I automate?" to "what do I do with the time automation gives back?" You'll leave with a simple filter to apply Monday morning.
