Doris 
Being part of a franchise business gives franchisees many opportunities for education, learning, and peer collaboration. A national franchise conference usually occurs once a year, which is fairly typical of most established franchise systems. Regional conferences, largely organised by the franchisees with the support of the franchisor, are often held six months after the national event. The annual conference provides a unique opportunity for both franchisors and franchisees to come together to discuss the year ahead and celebrate the achievements of the past 12 months.
At a typical franchise conference, the program covers six key areas:
1. Feedback from franchisees
2. Sharing the franchise group’s strategy for the coming 3 years
3. Professional and personal development for franchisees
4. A planned social program
5. Franchisee awards at the Gala Dinner
6. Franchise Advisory Council final meeting for the outgoing committee, followed by the AGM to elect the new committee and discuss key issues
Feedback from Franchisees
Franchise networks often use a variety of tools to gather feedback from their franchisees. Regular surveys are undertaken to provide insights into what is working well and where improvements can be made. In addition, key members of the management team often travel around the country to meet with individual franchisees and committees, diving deeper into survey results and identifying specific initiatives that could bring value. The conference setting offers the entire support team the opportunity to hear feedback directly from franchisees and reach a consensus on the strategic direction for the year ahead.
Sharing the Franchise Group’s Strategy for the Coming 3 Years
Each annual franchise conference typically includes the presentation of the group’s strategic plan for the next three years. This plan is linked closely to the feedback provided by franchisees. It is a powerful exercise that gets everyone aligned and reassures franchisees that their input is being heard. It also highlights that the feedback provided through surveys, advisory council meetings, and one-on-one discussions is valued and taken into account in future planning.
Professional and Personal Development for Franchisees
Being part of a franchise business creates many opportunities for personal and professional development throughout the year. However, the annual conference takes this to another level, with sessions delivered by experienced support team members as well as guest speakers. These speakers may include successful franchisees from other systems or professional trainers who lead workshops on topics such as peak performance and business growth. Internal experts often showcase behind-the-scenes elements, such as how marketing campaigns are developed. Panels featuring successful franchisees also provide valuable opportunities for knowledge-sharing, especially for those who are newer to the network.
A Planned Social Program
The social component of a franchise conference is an excellent way to build stronger connections between franchisees and the franchisor’s management team. One of the benefits of being in a franchise system is the support network available, but newer franchisees are not always proactive in accessing it. A structured social program allows conversations to spark naturally in a relaxed environment, often leading to long-lasting friendships and professional connections. Franchisees also leave with a clearer understanding of who in the network has expertise in specific areas and who they can approach for advice in the future.
Franchisee Awards at the Gala Dinner
Awards play a central role at most franchise conferences, offering an opportunity to recognise outstanding franchisee performance. Recognition may be given for achieving certain targets or milestones, as well as through major awards for excellence, leadership, or community involvement. Community-based awards, in particular, often see strong participation, as many franchisees dedicate significant time and resources to giving back.
Each year, franchisees also contribute to local initiatives or raise funds for selected causes. The conference Gala Dinner provides the perfect occasion to celebrate these efforts, with the amounts raised or contributions made unveiled to the entire network. This recognition highlights the important role franchise businesses can play in their communities beyond day-to-day operations.
Franchise Advisory Council Final Meeting and AGM
Franchise conferences also provide an opportunity for the Franchise Advisory Council to hold its final meeting as the current committee before the Annual General Meeting (AGM). This allows the outgoing committee to close off any outstanding business, make recommendations, and prepare for the election of the new committee.
The AGM then follows, where the outgoing committee reports on ongoing issues, passes on recommendations, and oversees the election of the new committee. This ensures continuity while allowing fresh perspectives to be introduced. Importantly, this open forum provides one annual opportunity for all franchisees and franchisors to come together, discuss key issues, and make decisions for the benefit of the network as a whole.
At the close of a franchise conference, new franchisees leave with the confidence of having met experienced peers who have navigated the same challenges. Established franchisees have had the chance to reconnect with old colleagues and further their professional development. For the franchisor and support office, it represents an invaluable opportunity to share the vision for the business, listen closely to franchisee feedback, and strengthen relationships across the network.
