Pre-Conference Franchise CEO Summit: Designed to Help You Build a Better Franchise Enterprise
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
SPECIAL GUEST AND KEYNOTE ON “UNSTOPPABLE CULTURES”
Ginger Hardage: Champion of Southwest’s World-Famous Culture
Agenda
9:00–9:15am
Welcome and Opening Conversations
9:15–10:15am
Special Guest Speaker Ginger Hardage: “5 Ways Southwest Airlines Built an Unstoppable Culture – and How You Can Too”
Leading company culture expert Ginger Hardage spent 25 years with Southwest Airlines, retiring as Senior Vice President of Culture and Communications. During that time she played a pivotal role in transforming the company’s culture and making Southwest one of the world’s best places to work, with recognition including a position on Fortune’s “Top 10 Most Admired Companies in the World” for 23 consecutive years. Learn how she helped build Southwest’s legendary reputation as an employer of choice – and take home ways you can do the same in your markets.
10:15–10:30am Break
10:30–11:15am
CEO Roundtables
Helping Franchisees Manage Today’s Workforce Challenges
With today’s record low unemployment rates, pressure from increasing minimum wages, changing employee expectations about work, and the ongoing challenges to find and retain great people, what effective guidance are you providing your franchisees on these matters? What did you learn from Ginger Hardage that you can adapt to your own organization to help your franchisees to succeed and your system to grow?
11:15–12:00pm
Life with Private Equity After the Honeymoon Is Over
Numerous conferences and publications have covered what private equity companies look for in a franchise brand and how these deals are structured. This program will address what happens <after> the deal is done. Two experienced franchise leaders who now manage private equity firms that acquire and invest in franchise brands and technologies will share their experiences.
• Aziz Hashim, Founder & Managing Partner, NRD Capital
NRD, founded in 2014, invests globally in franchise brands that offer compelling unit–level economics, and in technologies that improve operator profitability. NRD’s investments include more than 900 locations generating $1.5 billion in combined annual revenue.
• Steve Romaniello, Managing Director, Roark Capital
Since its founding in 2001, Roark has acquired 64 franchise/multi-unit brands that generate approximately $32 billion in system revenues from 32,000 locations in 50 states and 81 countries. Holdings include Arby’s, Focus Brands, Maaco, Moe’s Southwest, Orangetheory Fitness, and Primrose Schools.
12:00–1:00pm Luncheon Program
CEO Summit Sponsor Recognition
1:00–1:30pm
IFA Political & Policy Update: Matt Haller, IFA
IFA Senior Vice President, Government Relations & Public Affairs Matt Haller will provide an update on the latest developments in franchise law and other issues. November’s midterm elections could mean significant changes for franchising in a host of policy areas, from joint employer to health care to taxes. Threats to the franchise model may reemerge at the federal level and have already surfaced at the state and local levels. Stay current on the latest issues and learn how you and your franchisees can work together with the IFA’s Franchise Action Network (FAN) to protect the franchise business model.
1:30–2:15pm Roundtable Discussions: Culture of Innovation
Technology is spreading faster and is playing a larger role in business than ever before. The need to stay abreast of tech advances is a major imperative in every industry. How do franchise leaders keep from falling behind? Do franchise leaders foster their own culture of innovation? If so, what does this culture look like, and how do you ensure it’s implemented on an ongoing basis across the organization?
2:15–2:30pm Break
2:30–3:15pm
Franchise CEOS & the Development Process
As franchise CEOs, where do you see yourself in the development process? What does your planning process look like, and why? How do you set the number of franchises to open in a given time period? To achieve these goals, what do you need in terms of people and other resources? How do you know how your development person or team is generating, qualifying, and managing leads? What is and what isn’t working in franchisee recruitment? Find out more with guidance from three experienced franchise leaders:
Moderator:Therese Thilgen, CEO, Franchise Update Media
•Art Coley, CEO, CGI
With more than 25 years of franchise-related business development experience, Art Coley has served as president of numerous national franchise brands including AlphaGraphics. His work with Top 200 franchise brands, his processes, methodologies and systems, are consistently proven to exceed goals and objectives.
• Tom Wood, President & CEO, Floor Coverings International
“First to the door wins” Tom Wood is well-recognized as a growth-oriented and development-focused franchise leader. He’s previously overseen development for Paul Davis Restoration, California Closets, CertaPro Painters, and College Pro Painters.
3:15–4:00pm
Commitment to Franchisee Profitability
“Profitable franchisees are happy franchisees” is a fundamental truth in franchising. As the costs to operate a location continue to increase from wage hikes, real estate prices, and cost of goods, how are you helping your franchisees to grow, keep costs under control, and maximize their profitability? These panelists will share their experiences on how they’re doing it.
Moderator:Therese Thilgen, CEO, Franchise Update Media
• Rocco Fiorentino, Senior Managing Partner, Primo Hoagies
With his more than 25 years in franchising – Krispy Kreme multi-unit franchisee, Multi-Unit Franchise Conference chair, IFA Board member, and executive roles at Benetrends and other brands – count on him to provide sage and practical advice on the CEO’s role in development.
• Chris Newcomb, CEO and Co-Founder, Newk’s Eatery
Along with fellow co-founders Don Newcomb and Debra Bryson, he has built Newk’s from start-up to more than 105 locations. Before that he served as Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Concept Officer at McAlister’s Deli.
4:00pm
Summit Concludes