Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue III, 2013 | Page 62

Success Drivers

Franchisees gather in Vegas for premier multi-unit conference

M

By Kerry Pipes and Eddy Goldberg

More than 1,200
attendees flocked
to Vegas for the
event, more than
450 of them
franchisees.

three quarters of the franchisees said they
ulti-unit franchisees are
were looking for additional brands, and the
a resilient and optimistic
sold-out Expo Hall, featuring a record 200
bunch, and hundreds of
booths, provided plenty of opportunity for
them brought that attitude
that, along with suppliers offering solutions
to Las Vegas in March for the 12th annual
for problems ranging from social media and
Multi-Unit Franchising Conference. This
mobile to accounting and financial services.
year’s theme—Driving Profitability—perThilgen was followed by 2013 Conferfectly suited these entrepreneurs, who
ence Chair Sean Falk, a multi-unit franare not only driven but believe the best
chisee with four food brands. Recalling his
is still ahead.
years as a U.S. Marine, Falk cited the force’s
In her opening address, Therese Thilmotto “Semper fidelis” (Always faithful) to
gen, CEO of host Franchise Update Meencourage his fellow multi-unit opdia Group, welcomed attendees,
erators to choose a brand and believe
saying, “Multi-unit franchisees
in it. He also noted some potential
continue to evolve by facing realthreats looming for franchisees: the
ity. They’re a resilient group that
Affordable Care Act, a minimum
succeeds because optimism is part
wage hike, and the increasing cost
of their nature.”
of fuel and commodities.
That set the tone for the event,
“As small-business owners, we
held March 27–29 at Caesars Palhave no idea how we’re going to
ace, where the conference rooms
be taxed in 9 months, much less 5
were filled with high-octane panyears,” he said. “All these challenges
[