Franchise Update Media Goes International With Conference

Franchise Update Media has gone global. For years the organization has offered conferences geared to franchise sales and development professionals, marketing executives, and multi-unit franchisees here in the U.S. This past December in a partnership with The Best Franchisee of the World, an event in Florence, Italy that is attended by franchisors, franchisees, and other franchise professionals from Europe and beyond, Franchise Update Media launched its first ever conference targeted to franchisees in Europe.

Franchise Update Media's Chairman Gary Gardner said, "This event was created as a platform for continued education and sets the stage for upcoming trends that are important to franchisees. Our goal was for franchisees to go home with new ideas to help take their businesses to the next level."

The First Annual European Multi-Unit Franchising Conference was a one-day event offering attendees information-packed sessions, networking opportunities, and plenty of time to talk directly with sponsors. The interactive sessions and speakers covered topics ranging from multi-unit franchising growth trends in the U.S. and beyond, to an overview of the master franchising model. A panel of American and European multi-unit operators addressed the benefits and challenges of building, growing, and operating multi-unit and multi-concept companies.

"For being the first conference in Europe, I think it went extremely well. I worked a little, learned a lot, and met some very interesting people," said attendee Daniel Alley.

The conference was held December 2 at the Palazzo Borghese, a beautiful facility in Florence characterized by its distinct 16th century architecture. U.S. sponsors for the inaugural event were Denny's, Dairy Queen, Carl's Jr./Hardee's, MSA Worldwide, and Sky Zone Trampoline Park.

Speakers for the conference included Michael Kulp, a U.S.-based multi-unit franchisee with KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Long John Silver's units; Tony Lutfi, President of MarLU Investment Group; and John Metz, a U.S.-based franchisee with Denny's, Dairy Queen, Hurricane Grill & Wings, and Marriott locations.

Look for more details and information on next year's event at http://eu.multiunitfranchisingconference.com/home.