Franchise Update Issue 4, 2025 | Page 5

Franchise Update
Issue 4, 2025
Contents
GROWING YOUR SYSTEM
28 Invest in You
FLDC inspires franchise leaders to grow personally and professionally
38 Data, Deals, and the Human Touch
Inside the 2026 Annual Franchise Development Report
44 Shining Examples
STAR Awards recognize leaders in franchise recruitment
52 Mystery Shop 2025
Report dives into franchise development do’ s and don’ ts
56 Challenge the Pros
“ How do you qualify leads early in the funnel to avoid wasting resources on poor fits?”
62 Customers Count
The formula for sales success includes expertise and rapport
64 Sales Smarts
Build a Winning Sales Team With Intention
66 Market Trends
Private equity changes culture and boosts business
68 International
Why private equity should bet on international franchising
70 Tech Beat
The right tech can humanize franchise development
71 It’ s Closing Time
Franchise growth in 2026 will reward precision, not hope

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Our Team
CO-FOUNDER
Gary Gardner
CO-FOUNDER
Therese Thilgen
VP, EVENT OPERATIONS
Sue Logan
VP, MARKETING AND CONTENT
Diane Phibbs
VP, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Barbara Yelmene
DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SALES
Krystal Acre Hope Alteri Jeff Katis
MANAGER, EDITOR
M. Scott Morris
MANAGER, EDITOR
Kevin Behan
DIRECTOR, CREATIVE
Cindy Cruz
DIRECTOR, TECHNOLOGY
Benjamin Foley
SENIOR MANAGER, WEB DEVELOPER
Matt Wing
MANAGER, WEB DEVELOPER
Don Rush
COORDINATOR, DIGITAL
Juliana Foley
MANAGER, EVENT OPERATIONS
Sharon Wilkinson
COORDINATOR, EVENT OPERATIONS
Leticia Pascal
MANAGER, GRAPHIC DESIGN
Michael Llantin
DIRECTOR, CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Chelsea Weitzman
MANAGER, MARKETING
Taylor Williams
COORDINATOR, SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS
Alison Shelton Heather Stoner
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Helen Bond
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Christina Chambers Art Coley John DiJulius William Edwards Matt Haller Dennis Leskowski Jack Monson Paul Wilbur
ARTICLE INQUIRIES editorial @ franchiseupdate. com
SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions @ franchising. com 408-402-5681
DIRECTOR, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Kerry Pipes
DIRECTOR, EVENT OPERATIONS
Katy Coutts
Issue 4, 2025 | Franchise Update | 3