Thousands Gather to Collaborate, Learn and Build Relationships
Thousands of franchise professionals from across the U.S. and around the globe gathered in Las Vegas last week to connect, learn and engage in big-picture conversations at the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) 2026 Annual Convention.
From founders of emerging brands and multi-unit franchisees to C-suite executives, supplier partners and consultants, leaders from hundreds of industries came together for franchising’s biggest event of the year. Some attendees have come to the annual conference for more than 30 years, while others were experiencing it for the first time.
Over three content-packed days, roundtable discussions, breakout sessions, expert-led panels and a supplier showcase gave participants the chance to share ideas, ask questions and walk away with practical insights they can immediately put into action.
Attendees also heard from high-profile speakers, including Shark Tank’s Daymond John and Codie Sanchez, co-owner of ResiBrands and founder and CEO of Contrarian Thinking, a financial media, education and investment firm that helps people think differently about building wealth.
This year’s theme, “Evolve,” focused on the ever-changing world of franchising. “We evolve as we add new franchises. We evolve how we build our support teams. And we evolve by bringing in the best supplier partners to support us along the way,” said IFA President and CEO Matt Haller (above with outgoing IFA Chair, Mary Kennedy Thompson).
“What remains constant back to our founding in 1960, is that IFA is the place for franchise businesses to learn from their peers and share the secrets to their success.”
American Franchise Act
On the main stage at the event’s opening, Haller stressed the importance of advancing the American Franchise Act.
The bipartisan legislation, introduced in the U.S. House in September 2025, would establish a clear federal definition of the joint employer standard for franchising. That standard determines when a franchisor can be held liable for employment decisions made by a franchisee.
Over the past decade, the definition has shifted multiple times, creating uncertainty for franchise businesses. The American Franchise Act would codify a stable, consistent standard that recognizes franchisees as independent business owners while allowing franchisors to provide brand support without unintended employer liability. Haller called the American Franchise Act critical to the long-term stability of the franchise model.
“For franchise brands, the American Franchise Act protects your ability to support your brand,” Haller said. “For franchisees, it ensures you receive the support that you pay for, and remain a true franchise business owner. When we get this passed, it means we don’t have to worry about changes to the franchisor-franchisee relationship every four to eight years with the changing political winds.”
Haller said the American Franchise Act is the most important legislation for franchising in its history and also credited franchisees and franchisors who have testified before lawmakers and hosted elected officials at their businesses.
A Year of Focus and Execution
Outgoing IFA Chair Mary Kennedy Thompson who currently serves as CEO of the BNI (Business Network International), joined Haller on stage to reflect on the association’s work over the past year.
“It was about clarifying, simplifying and unifying. Nothing more, nothing less,” Thompson said, describing a year focused on tightening IFA’s message and aligning franchisees, franchisors and suppliers around it. “Part of that meant being proactive in Washington and continuing to push the American Franchise Act. We went on the offense. We told the right stories so that people know what a franchise is.”
Those stories power IFA’s Franchise Means Local campaign, a multi-million-dollar initiative launched in 2025 that highlights local franchisees. The campaign reminds the public and policymakers that franchise businesses are locally owned, run by neighbors who hire local employees, support community causes and reinvest in their towns.
Thompson pointed to franchisees like Nadeem Bajwa, who began as a delivery driver and grew into the largest franchisee in the Papa Johns system, and Colleen Bailey, who met her husband at Dunkin’ and now owns nine locations in Maine.
“These stories are the lifeblood of franchising,” Thompson said, adding that IFA’s role is to make sure the public, media and lawmakers hear them clearly.
IFA Awards and Recognition
As the gavel passed from Thompson to incoming IFA Chair Sam G. Ballas, attendees got a glimpse of what’s ahead. Ballas, CEO and founder of East Coast Wings + Grill is known for his dedication to franchisee satisfaction and focus on strong unit-level economics. “Sam Ballas is the exact right leader at the exact right time to make a difference for us,” Thompson said.
IFA’s Major Awards, among the most prestigious honors in franchising, recognized standout leaders and brands. This year, Greg Flynn, founder, chairman and CEO of Flynn Group, a multi-unit franchisee, was inducted into the IFA Hall of Fame for his lasting impact on the franchise model — becoming the first franchisee ever to receive this honor.
Flynn Group is the world’s largest franchise operator, owning and operating thousands of restaurant and fitness locations across the U.S., Australia and other international markets. The company partners with some of the most recognized brands in franchising and is widely regarded as a trailblazer in large-scale, multi-unit ownership.
Other honorees included Benetrends founder Len Fischer, who was named IFA Entrepreneur of the Year. He is credited as the pioneer of ROBS (Rollovers as Business Start-ups), an innovative financing strategy that lets entrepreneurs use their tax-deferred retirement funds (such as a 401(k) or IRA) to start or buy a business without taking on traditional debt.
Omar and Raynya Simmons received the Ronald E. Harrison Diversity Award for their work on the Franchise Ascension Initiative, an effort they launched last year to expand access to franchise ownership for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Franchisees of the Year were also celebrated for the difference they’re making in their businesses and communities, and a new class of Certified Franchise Executives (CFEs) proudly earned their certifications.
Leaving Inspired
Thompson, a Marine veteran, former multi-unit franchisee and longtime franchising leader, closed her term by reminding the franchise community to get involved in IFA’s mission to promote, protect and enhance the franchise model.
“I want to leave you with the words ‘giver’s gain,’” she said. “If you give first, it unlocks everything. It unlocks business. It unlocks opportunities. It unlocks relationships. Anything I’ve ever given to franchising, it has given back to me tenfold.”
She challenged everyone to help one person — share an idea, a resource or a connection that could move someone else forward.
“We have the power to make a difference. Don’t ever forget it. We are in the dream-making industry,” she said.
About the International Franchise Association
For more than 60 years, the IFA has supported and represented the franchising community. It is the world’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to franchising.
Through government relations, public policy, media outreach and education, IFA works to protect and promote franchising and the more than 832,000 franchise businesses in the U.S. According to the IFA 2026 Franchising Economic Outlook, these businesses support nearly 8.8 million jobs, generate $907.3 billion in economic output, and account for nearly 3% of the nation’s GDP.
IFA’s members include franchisors across more than 300 industries, individual franchise owners and supplier partners that provide marketing, legal, technology and business support services.
