Canadians have now been living through the COVID-19 pandemic for more than 15 months now. How has this changed their consumption habits? Throughout the course of the pandemic, franchise brands have pivoted their operations to adapt to the “new normal.” Whether it’s been using technology to offer consumers “contactless” options or shifting marketing strategies to target online customers, franchise brands had to adapt quickly to the ongoing pandemic to keep up with the latest trends in how customers like to do business.

In this opening keynote session, we’ll take a look at some of the lessons learned about consumer trends over the past year and how brands should approach the future.

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In this concurrent session, specifically focused on 0-24 unit sizes, we’ll address the importance of transparency as franchise systems rebuild from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic; together with franchisees and customers. 

Here, we’ll take a look at how franchisors can identify trust erosion sources and equip themselves with the best practices needed to address them to maintain good relationships with their franchisees and cultivate new business. Taking a comprehensive look at data on current consumer trends, we’ll examine how franchisors can ensure they establish and maintain strong, trusting relationships with their franchisees by reinforcing a brand’s shared vision and values. 

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In this concurrent session, specifically focused on 100+ unit sizes, we’ll address the importance of transparency as franchise systems rebuild from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic; together with franchisees and customers. 

Here, we’ll take a look at how franchisors can identify trust erosion sources and equip themselves with the best practices needed to address them to maintain good relationships with their franchisees and cultivate new business. Taking a comprehensive look at data on current consumer trends, we’ll examine how franchisors can ensure they establish and maintain strong, trusting relationships with their franchisees by reinforcing a brand’s shared vision and values. 

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In this concurrent session, specifically focused on 25-99 unit sizes, we’ll address the importance of transparency as franchise systems rebuild from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic; together with franchisees and customers. 

Here, we’ll take a look at how franchisors can identify trust erosion sources and equip themselves with the best practices needed to address them to maintain good relationships with their franchisees and cultivate new business. Taking a comprehensive look at data on current consumer trends, we’ll examine how franchisors can ensure they establish and maintain strong, trusting relationships with their franchisees by reinforcing a brand’s shared vision and values. 
 

The world has changed drastically since 2019 and continues to do so at a rapid pace. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the pace of innovation and change in franchising exponentially. As technology moves forward at light speed, it can be difficult for franchisors to keep up with the trends. It all starts with gaining a clear understanding as to how technology is impacting business across the board.

In this concurrent session, Brick & Mortar - Food franchisors will be armed with this understanding and how to move forward with an approach that blends digital and in-person franchisee engagement methods. Attendees will learn to use “big data” and KPI metrics to help their franchisees become more agile while driving performance. 

Sponsored by:

The world has changed drastically since 2019 and continues to do so at a rapid pace. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the pace of innovation and change in franchising exponentially. As technology moves forward at light speed, it can be difficult for franchisors to keep up with the trends. It all starts with gaining a clear understanding as to how technology is impacting business across the board.

In this concurrent session, Brick & Mortar - Non-Food franchisors will be armed with this understanding and how to move forward with an approach that blends digital and in-person franchisee engagement methods. Attendees will learn to use “big data” and KPI metrics to help their franchisees become more agile while driving performance. 

Sponsored By:

The world has changed drastically since 2019 and continues to do so at a rapid pace. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the pace of innovation and change in franchising exponentially. As technology moves forward at light speed, it can be difficult for franchisors to keep up with the trends. It all starts with gaining a clear understanding as to how technology is impacting business across the board.

In this concurrent session, Non-Brick & Mortar franchisors will be armed with this understanding and how to move forward with an approach that blends digital and in-person franchisee engagement methods. Attendees will learn to use “big data” and KPI metrics to help their franchisees become more agile while driving performance. 

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For the first time ever, hear from the heads of the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) and international Franchise Association (IFA) as they speak about the North American franchise industry’s post-pandemic future! Join Sherry McNeil, CFA President & CEO and Catherine Monson, IFA Chair and CEO of FastSigns International, as they share their insights, thoughts, and predictions on what lies ahead for franchising in Canada and the U.S.

Drawing on their experience and expertise in franchising as heads of the world’s largest franchise associations, franchise brand leaders, industry advocates, and franchise veterans, Sherry and Catherine will examine how business across North America reacted to the pandemic in 2020 before looking ahead to what we can expect from both an industry and brand point-of-view in 2021 and beyond.

Moderated by David Druker, President & CEO of The UPS Store Canada, this discussion will also address:

•    How did the franchise industry in North America fare in 2020?
•    What themes have come to the forefront over the past year?
•    What has permanently changed in franchising?
•    What will the next chapter of franchising look like?
•    What will franchises need to do to succeed?

You don’t want to miss this engaging conversation between two of the world’s most influential women leaders in franchising!