Company Snapshot
- Year Founded: 2000
- Headquarters Location: San Jose, California
- Ownership: Private; operated by Franchise Update Media
- Key Executives: Michael Bigus (noted executive), operated under Franchise Update Media leadership; CEO and executive team information generally attributed to Franchise Update Media
- Number of Locations: Single annual event; over 2,600 attendees in 2025, representing more than 1,000 franchisee organizations and 300+ brands
- Public Contact: Website: www.multiunitfranchisingconference.com; Phone (parent): (408) 402‑5681
Company Overview
The Multi-Unit Franchising Conference (MUFC), owned and produced by Franchise Update Media, is the premier annual event designed exclusively for multi-unit franchisees and industry stakeholders. The event serves as a hub for franchise owners, operators, and professionals to network, share best practices, and gain actionable insights for driving growth across franchise systems.
Services Offered
- Multi-day annual conference focused on trends, leadership, operations, and growth in franchising.
- Curated keynote sessions, panel discussions, and workshops tailored for multi-unit and multi-brand franchisees.
- Dedicated networking and peer-to-peer learning experiences including advisory-board–vetted sessions and franchisee-only forums.
- Extensive exhibit hall featuring top franchise brands and vetted suppliers, offering opportunities to explore new brands, source services, and expand portfolios.
Value Proposition
- Industry Specialization: Focused on all franchise sectors including food, hospitality, retail, and services, with a heavy emphasis on multi-unit operations.
- Key Benefits:
- Creates unparalleled networking opportunities and access to industry leaders, fostering peer learning and strategic partnerships.
- Provides education and solutions specific to the operational and growth challenges of multi-unit franchise owners (e.g., expansion, financing, leadership).
- Enables discovery of new brands and vetted supplier solutions in a single event, facilitating efficient portfolio growth and optimization.
- Franchise Expertise: Led by an advisory board of top multi-unit franchisees, the agenda is built for and by active franchise operators. The conference consistently features case studies, panels, and breakout sessions with current multi-unit and multi-brand franchisees, highlighting real-world best practices and experiences within the franchise industry.
Company Snapshot
Year Founded
2000
Headquarters Locations
San Jose , CA
Key Executives
Gary Gardner, Chairman & Cofounder; Therese Thilgen, CEO & Cofounder
Public Contact
770-367-3134
dianep@franchiseupdate.com
Industry
Events, Conferences