Seminars

EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS

The largest and most comprehensive series of seminars on franchising and business ownership under one roof.

• Learn from the experts.
• Sit in on discussion panels.
• Interact with other entrepreneurs.
• Meet with legal and financial experts.

Our educational seminars are designed to offer you a complete overview of the following 4 steps to buying a franchise:

STEP 1: The Introspective Self

Understand yourself and how your financial and professional background shape you as a future entrepreneur. Any successful entrepreneur understands how their own strengths and weaknesses interact with a brand. You will also want to ensure you and your team are financially qualified for any brands that you want to purchase.

STEP 2: The Franchisor

Invest time into exploring concepts and learning as much as you can about various brands. This trade show provides you an opportunity to discover high quality concepts. You will also learn best practices and strategies regarding the two way interview that you are about to embark upon with a franchise investigation.

STEP 3: The Franchisee

Do a deeper dive into your top brands and determine the best questions to ask as you get closer to making a decision. The process of discovering brands requires pointed questions and specific topics that need to be explored with current owners in the system. You will also want to hear from owners what the pros and cons are about the franchise system. “Try it before you buy it,” and hear from those who are in the system.

STEP 4: Legal & Financial

Ensure you understand the legal ramifications of the franchise agreement and Franchise Disclosure Document by hiring a qualified franchise attorney to review your legal paperwork. Do a cost of capital analysis to understand your most effective financing options. While this is a complex step, you will find a wealth of resources and advisors are here to help you.

In addition to seminars that dive deeper into these four steps, we will also have discussion panels that allow you to ask questions of successful franchise owners and industry experts.
Our seminar series are designed to help you avoid costly mistakes when buying a franchise.

Past Seminar Topics Have Included

SBA - Small Business Resources

Stephen Konkle

Stephen Konkle, the Illinois District Office International Trade Officer at the U.S. Small Business Administration, will discuss the many options and programs available to entrepreneurs through the SBA.

Financing 101

Ralph Nilssen

Ralph Nilssen of Guidant Financial will break down the complexities of the most common financing options to help the average person understand how to leverage financing when starting a business. This is your chance to learn from a company that has secured nearly 4 billion in capital for future business owners.

The Legal Aspects of Franchising and the FDD

Sara Korol

Sara Korol, Associate Attorney with the respected franchise law firm of Lanard & Associates, P.C., will discuss the franchise disclosure document (FDD) and how it can help you ask the right questions in considering a franchise business opportunity.

How To Become A Successful Franchisee!

Pete Nash

Pete Nash has over 20 years’ experience in franchising. He has helped over 1000 people who are considering franchise ownership. He has owned five franchises – single licenses, multiple licenses, Regional Development as well as passive licenses. His first-hand experience in owning franchises has allowed him first-hand experience and knowledge in helping anyone who is considering franchise ownership.

Ask Franchise Owners - Retail

Panel of Franchise Owners

This insightful Q&A session will allow attendees to ask questions of retail franchise owners and concepts. Finance experts from Benetrends will be on hand to answer all your financial needs. Not to be missed!

Ask Franchise Owners - Service

Panel of Franchise Owners

This insightful Q&A session will allow attendees to ask questions of service franchise owners and concepts. Finance experts from Benetrends will be on hand to answer all your financial needs. Not to be missed!

Ask Franchise Owners - Service

Panel of Franchise Owners

Ask a Current Franchise Owner - Retail

Panel of Franchise Owners

How To Fund Franchises Using Retirement Money

Benetrends

Benetrends blazed a trail for 401(k)/IRA retirement funding with the innovative Rainmaker Plan®. Learn how to use your retirement dollars tax deferred and penalty free to fund your franchise opportunity.

Franchising with Family and Friends - Best Practices with Partnerships

Stephen Winterrowd

Mr. Winterrowd will present on the often travelled (and potentially disastrous) road of partnerships between friends and family members in franchising. Learn best practices to establishing business partnerships and setting clear expectations.

Women Business Owners are Booming!

Marisa Allen

Ms. Allen will discuss the boom of women in franchising and resources available to the female entrepreneur. As the leader of the women's franchise council, her pulse of franchising will be invaluable.

Don't Mess Up! - Reduce Your Chance of a Costly Mistake in Franchise Research!

Todd Weiss

Todd Weiss, CFA is an industry leader in both the franchise and coaching industries. Mr. Weiss is an engaging speaker with a special passion for helping people become their absolute best with the gifts they’ve been given and avoiding the common pitfalls of franchise exploration.

Power of a Vision Board

Phyllis Pieri

Phyllis, an expert and coach with vast franchise knowledge, will explore how entrepreneurs can explore their goals and vision for their business goals. Create something tangible that can help guide you as a future business owner.

Real Estate-Best Practices for the Franchise Owners

Rich LeBrun & Wendell Hollan

Rich Lebrun, a 30 year franchise veteran, and Wendell, the VP of CBRE that specializes in real estate,bring you a comprehensive overview of real estate in today's economy. Learn from their hundreds of millions of dollars in completed real estate deals in franchising and beyond.

Propietarios de Negocios Hispanos

Leonor Clavijo & Zeke Rodriguez

Leonor Clavijo y Zeke Rodriguez, estarán hablando sobre los recursos disponibles en la comunidad Hispana para obtener y prosperar en un negocio. Únete a dos de los empresarios Hispanos más influyentes en el area de Franquicias, para que sean guiados sobre los problemas más comunes que pueden ocurrir en el proceso de adquirir una franquisia y pueda concoer las oportunidades que existen en sus comunidades.

The Legal Aspects of Franchising and the FDD

Sara Korol

First Responders and Franchising

Jay Bankert

Learn from a police detective and franchise expert about the franchise resources available to first responders and how your unique set of skills make you a strong candidate for franchise ownership.

The Banks Behind Franchising

Ryan Foley - Radius Bank

Radius Bank, a regional bank that specializes in loans that include franchises, will share tips and tricks to look attractive to bank related financing. Learn from the best about how you can position yourself to leverage loans.

Finding and Retaining Talent

William Yueng - Hireology

People are the backbone of your business. Learn from Hireology - a leader in talent management, who help over 4000 businesses improve the people-side of their organization.William Yeung will share concrete strategies for developing the right approach to hiring and attracting top-tier talent.

Ask Franchise Owners -
Retail

Panel of Franchise Owners

Ask Franchise Owners - Service

Panel of Franchise Owners

Ask Franchise Owners - Service

Panel of Franchise Owners

Ask Franchise Owners - Retail

Panel of Franchise Owners

How to Fund Franchises Using Retirement Money

Benetrends

Real Estate Strategy for Successful Franchising

Colliers

Colliers, a leader in commercial real estate development, will discuss the common pitfalls and opportunities you should be seeking as a potential franchisee.

The Art of Public Relations

Debra of Fishman PR

Fishman PR is a leading advertising and PR agency right here in the greater Chicago area. Their expertise will shed light on strategies all business owners can use to increase their web presence and become better known in their space. If you want your new franchise to grow, don't miss this seminar.

Service Businesses - How to Grow Beyond a “One Man Show”

Tim Church

Tim is a “practice what you preach” style straight shooter. He has worked in franchise development since 1998 and has helped hundreds of people become successful business owners. Mr. Church will discuss his experience in the service industry and how to grow a franchise beyond a single entrepreneur.

Franchising and the International Marketplace

Kapil Manocha

Mr. Manocha will discuss the growing influence of the franchise industry across the globe from India to the USA. Discover resources and opportunities available to international entrepreneurs looking to establish stateside or abroad.

What Franchisors
Love to See In You

Josh Titler

Greg leads Martinizing, an industry leader in dry cleaning franchises. He will teach you how franchisors approach vetting and identifying great candidates. All franchise relationships are designed to be a partnership where both sides bring value to the table.