Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue II, 2017 | Page 8

Chairman’sNote
Welcome to the Conference!
V
ery few of us start out in franchising as large,
multi-unit or multi-brand franchisees. I may
have more than 700 units and numerous brands
today, but when I started out I had one, financed
by an SBA loan. In the years that followed, I always kept
pushing forward, not allowing obstacles to block my path.
We struggle, we learn, and we grow continually
throughout our business careers, helped along by our fran-
chisors and fellow franchisees. Yet no matter how much we
learn or grow, there is always more. That’s the nature of
the entrepreneur.
Learning is one of the biggest reasons I’ve been a regu-
lar at Franchise Update’s Multi-Unit Franchising Confer-
ence. Now in its 17th year, the MUFC has become a must-
attend event for any franchisee
interested in growth and improving
their operations.
The conference kicks off on
Sunday, April 23, with a charity golf
event. In addition to providing a
fabulous day on the course and the
opportunity to network and have
some fun, the event raises many
thousands of dollars for charity.
Sunday evening features a
franchisee-only opening social at Carmine’s restaurant in
The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. It begins at 6 p.m.
with a first-timer meet and greet with the MUFC Advisory
Board, and opens up to all franchisees at 7.
I’m excited about meeting and introducing our first
keynote speaker on Monday morning: Marcus Lemonis,
star of the CNBC show “The Profit,” as well as an accom-
plished and renowned businessman, investor, and philan-
thropist. Along with many other longtime fans, I’m looking
forward to being inspired by his talk.
Our Tuesday keynoter, Ronnie Lott, also is well-known
with plenty of fans for his accomplishments as a Hall of
Fame defensive star and 4-time Super Bowl winner with
the San Francisco 49ers. Today his interests have turned
to inspiring others to push through barriers to attain their
goals, and to community outreach and philanthropic work.
Another big reason I attend is the high quality of the
educational sessions and panels. This year’s topics include
how to be the employer of choice in your market; two ses-
sions on securing financing (under $10 million and above
$20 million); scaling your organization for growth; M&A
as a growth strategy; evaluating FDDs; FACs and franchi-
see associations; remodeling; lease negotiations; and more.
There’s something for everybody, whatever your current
need, challenge, or interest.
6
MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE I SS UE II , 2 01 7
There also is a general session on another important
topic for 2017 and beyond: legislation and its impact on
franchisees. The panel will include Aziz Hashim, last year’s
IFA chair, longtime multi-brand franchisee, and managing
partner of NRD Capital. Issues on the table include the
NLRB’s joint employer rulings, overtime rules, healthcare
reform, and minimum wage.
Checking out new brands and suppliers also is a big rea-
son I attend each year. The sold-out Exhibit Hall includes
not only franchisors pitching the benefits of adding their
brand to your portfolio, but franchise-focused vendors and
suppliers whose offerings can solve many of your most
pressing problems and boost your bottom line.
Need advice? Tuesday afternoon features two “rooms”:
The Money Room and The Law Room. The Money
Room provides an opportunity to meet one-on-one with
potential lenders to discuss financial solutions and get ad-
vice on funding your growth. The Law Room, new this
year, is an opportunity to meet with franchise attorneys,
also one-on-one, to discuss your specific concerns and get
legal advice.
The annual MVP presentation, where we recognize the
achievements of our fellow multi-unit franchisees, is an-
other highlight for me. Presented at a general session, the
nearly dozen awards are for multi-brand growth, achieving
the American Dream, community involvement, husband-
and-wife team, innovation within a brand, and more.
Wednesday morning’s closing session addresses ongo-
ing external threats to the franchise business model, from
over-regulation at the federal level to minimum wage hikes
in cities. While last November’s election promised a relax-
ing of several onerous regulations, the new administration
is off to a slower start than many had expected. We hope
Washington improves and good changes start happening.
Hosted by the IFA’s @OurFranchise and Franchise Action
Network, the panel will include IFA Chair Shelly Sun, co-
founder and CEO of BrightStar Care. Get involved!
I’d like to wrap up by thanking all the previous MUFC
chairs, including Michael Kulp, my immediate predecessor.
I’m both humbled and proud to be part of this illustrious
chain, to have grown so much from my days as a single-
unit operator, now able to give back to those on the way
up. I look forward to seeing you in Vegas!
Guillermo Perales
CEO/Founder, Sun Holdings
2017 Conference Chair