Franchise Leadership & Development Conference 2025 | Franchise Update Media | 6 October 2025 | TBA

This conference is an exclusive event for franchisor CEOs, Presidents, COOs, CDOs and Franchise Development Executives. Our conference advisory board is comprised of the brightest experienced leaders in the franchise industry today. They provide direct input in the development of the quality programs and content for this conference. With our dynamic agenda touching facets of franchise development, the conference provides education to enhance franchisee recruitment, sales and development as well as professional leadership.

2024 Past Speakers

KEYNOTE:

Michael Veltri
Leadership Expert & Bestselling Author

Chris Rollins
Creator of The Ripple Effect Leader

SPEAKERS:

Amyn Bandali
CEO, Ivy Kids Systems

Josh Barker
VP, Franchise Recruitment, Unleashed Brands

Lee Berger
VP, Real Estate & Construction, Perkins American Food Co., Huddle House Restaurants

Jennifer Brandeen
COO, International Franchise Association

Mark Burgess
VP, Real Estate & Business Development, Denny's

Steve Clough
Director, Franchise Development & Marketing, Hungry Howie's

Patrick Coelho
SVP, Development, Papa Johns

Don Crocker
CDO, Smalls Sliders

Kelly Crompvoets
VP, Marketing, Any Lab Test Now

Mike D'Arezzo
Director, Franchise Development, Altitude Trampoline Park

Tray Doster
Director, Franchise Development, Two Men and A Truck

Jennifer Durham
CDO, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa

Keith Dziki
Executive Director, Development, Wireless Zone

Chris Eby
Director, Franchise Sales, Another Broken Egg Cafe

Amy Elder
Sr. Director, Franchise Development & Administration, Papa Johns

Ryan Farris
CEO, AlphaGraphics

Cheryl Fletcher
CDO, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC

Abby Fogel
VP, Brand Management & Communications, Unleashed Brands

Jennifer Folger
VP, Franchise Development, Tropical Smoothie Cafe

James Franks
VP, Franchise Recruiting, Unleashed Brands

Karen Garrett
Director, Franchise Development, Woodhouse Spa

Scott Gladstone
CDO, Dine Brands

Beto Guajardo
CEO, Blaze Pizza

Matthew Haller
President & CEO, International Franchise Association

Albert Hermans
VP, Franchise Development, Floor Coverings International

Todd Houghton
President, Homewatch CareGivers

Erin Iglehart
Director, Franchise Development, WellBiz Brands

Rita Iglesias
Director, Franchise Development, Buzz Franchise Brands

Van Ingram
VP, Franchise Development, Jack in the Box, Del Taco

Shannon Iverson
VP for Development, Taco John's International

Mark Jameson
CDO, Propelled Brands

Darrell Johnson
CEO, FRANdata

Marci Kleinsasser
VP, Franchise Development Marketing, Home Franchise Concepts

Kevin King
President, Donatos Pizza

Doug Knox
Legal & Compliance Officer, Edible Arrangements

Brian Krause
CDO, GoTo Foods

Richard Leveille
CDO, Smalls Sliders

Paul Macaluso
President & CEO, Another Broken Egg Cafe

Joe Malmuth, CFE
CDO, Batteries Plus Franchising

Brandon Mangual
Managing Director, Franchise Development, Batteries Plus Franchising

Lorna Martinez
VP, Marketing, Won Life Brands

Lynette McKee
Sr. VP, Franchising, Potbelly

Tom Monaghan
CDO, Green Home Solutions

Glenn Moon
VP, US Development, Moxie's

Rick Morey
Partner, DLA Piper LLP (US)

Amy Mosley
COO, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen

Heather Neary
President & CEO, Taco John's

Martha O'Gorman
CMO, Loyalty Brands

Anthony Padulo
CDO, School of Rock

Kristen Pechacek
President & CEO, MassageLuXe

Diane Phibbs
EVP & Chief Content Officer, Franchise Update Media

Jake Philpotts
VP, Business Development & Franchise Relations, Surcheros Fresh Mex

Paul Pickett
CDO & EVP, Franchising, Wild Birds Unlimited

Michael Prince
Director, Franchise Development, Church's Texas Chicken

Dave Ragosa
VP, Franchising & Development, Ford's Garage

Dan Ribolzi
Director, B2B Marketing, Self Esteem Brands

Ricky Richardson
CEO, Eggs Up Grill

Chris Rollins
Creator of The Ripple Effect Leader

Mike Rotondo
CEO, Altitude Trampoline Parks

Michelle Ryman
VP, North America Development, Papa Johns

Elliot Schiffer
CDO, Youth Enrichment Brands

Kelli Schroeder
VP, Franchise Development, WellBiz Brands

Jon Sica
COO, Batteries Plus

Joe Sieve
Chief Restaurant & Development Officer, Papa Johns

Eric Simon
VP, Franchise Sales and Development, The Joint Chiropractic

Erin Snyder
VP, Franchise Development, Handel's Homemade Ice Cream

Mike Stout
VP, Franchise Development, Altitude Trampoline Park

Jeff Sturgis
CDO, Another Broken Egg Cafe

R. Scott Sutton
CDO, Empower Brands

D'Wayne Tanner
VP, Franchise Development, BELFOR Franchise Group

Scott Taylor
CEO, Cherry Bounce Hospitality

John Teza
CEO, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa

Therese Thilgen
Co-Founder & CEO, Franchise Update Media

Dustin Thompson
Director, Franchise Development & Marketing, Jack in the Box, Del Taco

Jeff Wall
President & CEO, Handyman Connection

Josh Wall, CFE
CGO, Unleashed Brands

Nick Wallace
VP, Franchise Recruiting, AtWork

Charles Watson
CEO, Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Philip Watson
VP, Global Development, Phenix Salon Suites

Tom Welter
President, Empower Brands

Scott Williams
CEO, Batteries Plus

James Young
COO, Spring-Green Enterprises

Scott Zide
CEO, Empower Brands