Company Snapshot

• Year Founded: Approx. 2010 (First event traces back to 2010–2012, 8th annual in 2017).
• Headquarters Location: Philadelphia, PA.
• Ownership: Private (Founded by Lane Fisher, Brad Fishman, and Dawn Kane; operated as Franchise UnConference LLC).
• Key Executives: Lane Fisher (FisherZucker), Brad Fishman (Fishman PR), Dawn Kane (Hot Dish Advertising).
• Number of Locations: Single annual event (Approx. 300+ senior franchise executives attend each year).
• Public Contact: General phone: (215) 825-3100; Website contact form at https://franchiseunconference.com/contact/.

Company Overview

Franchise UnConference is a specialized industry event designed for senior franchise executives, providing an unconventional format that emphasizes high-value networking, peer-led workshops, and direct problem-solving in a relaxed retreat-style setting. The mission centers on fostering genuine connections, knowledge exchange, and actionable learning tailored to the dynamic challenges of franchise brands and multi-unit operations.

Services Offered

• Facilitated peer-to-peer workshops on growth strategies, technology adoption, and leadership development.
• Networking sessions focused on building strategic relationships among franchisors and industry experts.
• Real-time, collaborative problem-solving sessions addressing current operational challenges faced by franchise systems.
• Experiential activities (e.g., skiing, culinary experiences, social events) to encourage informal knowledge-sharing and R\&R.

Value Proposition

• Industry Specialization: The event serves all franchise sectors, with particular relevance for franchisors, multi-unit operators, and those seeking to learn from top-performing peers across categories (QSR, Retail, Home Services, etc.).
• Key Benefits:
  • Facilitates candid discussions that cut through generic advice, delivering practical, franchise-tested solutions.
  • Catalyzes strategic partnerships and deep connections with decision-makers, not just surface-level networking.
  • Updates attendees with emerging industry trends and technologies to support competitive franchise growth.
• Franchise Expertise: Organized and attended by recognized franchise leaders (e.g., Fishman PR, FisherZucker, Hot Dish Advertising), with case studies and content shaped by experienced operators and ongoing participation from leading franchise brands each year.