Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue III, 2012 | Page 66

F

Conference by the
Numbers

ranchisees, franchisors, and suppliers from across the
United States and Canada gathered April 24–26 at
The Mirage Las Vegas for Franchise Update’s annual
Multi-Unit Franchising Conference. The event continues
to grow each year, and numerous records were set this year.
Here’s a quick rundown of the aggregated statistics from
the more than 400 franchisees who attended:
• 17% have 2 brands
• 22% have 3 or more brands
• 75% are looking for new brands to add
• they represent 171 brands
• they operate in 37 states and Canada
• they have more than 6,500 operating units
• they employ more than 90,000 people
• their annual revenue tops $5 billion

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Multi-Unit Franchisee Is s ue III, 2012

themselves in service to goals and aspirations bigger than
themselves.
He strongly encouraged franchisees to “get the right people
in the key seats,” a reference to his famous observation that
building a company is like driving a bus. “If I had to pick the
single most important skill for executives,” he said, “it’s the
ability to pick the right people for your key seats. If you master that, it’s your fuel for growth.” If not, he added, growth
will be constrained.
Afternoon: a Dunkin’ delight

Tuesday afternoon’s keynote was delivered by Dunkin’ Brands
CEO Nigel Travis. Travis joined Dunkin’ in January 2009 following successful stints at Burger King, Blockbuster Video,
and Papa John’s where he developed a reputation for building
strong franchisee networks, improving sales, and furthering
international growth. And despite the economic upheavals of
the past few years, he seems to be doing it again at Dunkin’
Brands, which includes Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins.
Travis said both brands are experiencing consistent quarterover-quarter growth, improved guest satisfaction scores, and