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Symposium 7: The Use of Technology in Franchising (separate fee required)
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9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room 204A
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Presented by: Lee Plave, Partner, Plave Koch PLC and Theresa Huszka, CFE, Principal, Theresa Huszka Consulting
This Symposium will explore the way in which prospective and currently franchising companies can harness developments in electronic, telecommunications and internet technologies to enhance their business and franchise relationships. Click here for more details. Sponsored by Accredited
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Selling Franchises Domestically Without Getting Into Trouble
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9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Room 208A
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Presented by: Richard J. Morey, Partner, DLA Piper US LLP
Federal and State franchise laws are complicated and carry heavy penalties. Learn how to comply with these laws in the selling process, whether you sell by phone, at your office, at trade shows or over the Internet. The program will cover topics such as sales staff training, recordkeeping, sales material review, financial performance representations, Internet selling, transfer and renewal issues, dealing with compliance problems and the new requirements under the FTC’s Amended Franchise Rule. Sponsored by 
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Symposium 8: Strategies for Penetrating the U.S. Market for Overseas Franchisors (separate fee required)
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10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Room 208B
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Presented by: Andrew J. Sherman, Senior Partner, Jones Day
This symposium will explore business planning topics, featuring a panel of franchising experts, professionals and executives of overseas franchisors who have successfully developed franchising programs in the Unites States. Our focus will be on pragmatic and truly useful information with an emphasis on war stories and case studies. Click here for more details. Sponsored by Accredited
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Selling Franchises Internationally Without Getting Into Trouble
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10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Room 208A
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Presented by: Philip Zeidman, Senior Partner, DLA Piper US LLP and Tao Xu, Associate, DLA Piper US LLP
An ever increasing number of countries around the world now have laws regulating franchising, and new statutes appear with very little if any advance notice. As in the United States, some address the sale of franchises, some deal with the franchisor - franchisee relationship. Complying with them can be difficult, and it is frequently hard even to learn what is required and how the requirements will be interpreted. This seminar will tell you what laws, in what countries, impose what obligations on you...and how you can deal with them as effectively, efficiently and economically as possible. Sponsored by 
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The Highly Successful Franchisor
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11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Room 208A
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Presented by: Barry Heller, Partner, DLA Piper US LLP and David Hood, President, iFranchise Group
Some franchisors succeed, others don’t. Some franchisors are sued, others aren’t. Why? What are the common themes of success and avoidance of litigation that franchisors share? Devotion to the Brand? Always striving to achieve the proper balance between franchisor and franchisees interests, rights and duties and the interests of the System as a whole? This interactive session will help you learn from your peers and others the best practices and habits that you can institute into your daily routine to become a successful franchisor and, hopefully, avoid litigation. Sponsored by 
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Seizing International Opportunities: Five Ways to Maximize Your Return on Investment Through International Franchising
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12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Room 204A
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Presented by: Max Schott, II, Principal, Gray Plant Mooty and Carl Zwisler, Principal, Gray Plant Mooty
International development remains an intriguing and potentially profitable strategy for many franchisors. In exploring international expansion, how can franchisors maximize their return on investment (ROI)? What steps should franchisors take now in developing or redefining their international development strategy to avoid common costly mistakes? This session will explore 5 common issues which can impact franchisor’s ROI and identify best practices in addressing those issues to maximize ROI. Issues addressed will include optimal structure for expansion, planning and budgeting, brand adaptation, due diligence and other topics. Sponsored by
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Top 10 Rules for Franchisors to Reduce Litigation Risks: Control Your Franchise System's Destiny
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1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Room 208A
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Presented by: Mary Beth Brody, Special Counsel, Faegre & Benson and Kevin Hein, Partner, Faegre & Benson
No franchisor can reasonably hope to enjoy complete, long-term freedom from all litigation. But for franchisors who do business consistent with a few critical (and largely common-sense) rules, freedom from excessive lawsuits – and from truly damaging litigation results – is not out of reach. This session drills down to distill the best litigation-related advice for franchisors into ten simple rules. Sponsored by 
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Expanding Your Brand Domestically: Lessons Learned from the Cowboys, Lakers and other Champions
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2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room 203A
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Presented by: Adam Siegelheim, Attorney, Stark & Stark and Steve Beagelman, Franchise Advisor, SMB Consulting
Championship teams and successful franchisors share a common trait - a winning culture. Without a winning culture, a franchisor cannot expect to successfully grow and develop its brand. In 1989, the Dallas Cowboys shared the league's worst record at 1-15. Three years later, the Dallas Cowboys went on a run, winning three of our four Super Bowls. This session will examine how the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Lakers and other teams created a winning culture and developed into champions. We will also explore how these lessons can be applied by franchisors to create their own winning culture to expand and sustain the growth of their brand. Sponsored by 
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Franchisor’s Role in Franchisee Financing
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2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Room 204A
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Moderated by: Bret Lowell, Partner, DLA Piper US LLP Panelists: Nate Greenberg, President and COO, Siegel Capital; Edith Wiseman, Vice President Client Solutions, FRANdata; Mark Whittle, Chief Development Officer, Huddle House
Many franchisors assist their franchisees in obtaining financing. Learn about the different approaches to franchisee financing, including franchisor-sponsored and non-sponsored financing. This session will cover many aspects of franchise financing programs, including identifying successful industry models and examining the pitfalls of less successful programs. The session will also explore the use of tri-party agreements, the types of direct financing available to multi-unit and other franchisees, how to choose between lenders and lender products, the steps needed to obtain a loan, and the types of loans available for different purposes (i.e., new franchises vs. remodels). Finally, we will discuss opportunities for franchisors to assist their franchisees in understanding various credit programs and successfully navigating the debt markets. Sponsored by 
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How to Enhance Your Success in Launching or Expanding Internationally
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3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Room 203A
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Presented by: Jeffrey Brimer, Special Counsel, Faegre & Benson
No franchisor can reasonably hope to enjoy complete, long-term freedom from all litigation. But for franchisors who do business consistent with a few critical (and largely common-sense) rules, freedom from excessive lawsuits – and from truly damaging litigation results – is not out of reach. This session drills down to distill the best litigation-related advice for franchisors into ten simple rules. Sponsored by 
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Is It Your Leads or Your Sales Process?
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3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Room 208A
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Presented by: Kimberly Ellis, Senior Consultant, MSA Worldwide
Recruiting franchisees in today’s economy is much harder and more costly than ever before. What worked a few years ago has stopped working or has become cost prohibitive. Are there better ways to attract qualified candidates? Does your sales process need a tune-up or maybe more? It could be a combination of both. This seminar will provide you with the tools to determine the sources for the right types of candidates and more important how to close those candidates effectively and consistently. Sponsored by 
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Cutting Edge Mobile Marketing for Franchises
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4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room 204A
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Presented by: Dan Giacopelli, Founder and CEO, Skoop! Inc.
Mobile Marketing - the practice of interacting with your customers via the mobile phone channel - is increasingly being used by franchise businesses of all shapes and sizes to capture new customers and drive recurring revenue from existing ones. A Mobile Marketing program provides your on-the-go customers an "anytime, anywhere" touch point to your brand, using the device that over 90% of US consumers have with them 24/7. This seminar will explore the basic methods and techniques of mobile marketing - text messaging, mobile websites, mobile applications, and mobile banner advertising - as well as how mobile works collaboratively with and enhances your traditional, digital, and social media marketing programs. Learn how Mobile Marketing can provide substantial benefits to all members of your business ecosystem: you, your franchisees, and your consumers. Sponsored by 
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