Multi-Unit Franchising Beyond the Pandemic

Join us for a unique franchise roundtable event, in which industry leaders will facilitate discussion on multi-unit franchising from both the franchisor and developer perspective.

In this presentation you will learn:

Legal issues relating to multi-unit franchising (from both the franchisor and franchisee perspective)
- Legal requirements for becoming a franchisor generally and offering multi-unit deals specifically
- Negotiating the area development agreement (from both the franchisor and developer perspective)
- Impact of COVID on franchising
Outsourced franchise development services
- Consulting and strategic development of emerging brand
- Preparation and coordinations of operations, training and pre-opening manuals
- Exploring Ghost kitchen opportunities in a post covid world
- Exit and resale brand options
Financial considerations
- Private equity transactions
- Due diligence and Quality of Earnings Reports
- Franchise fee revenue recognition current challenges, obstacles and potential changes
- Organizational entity structure for multi-unit expansion
Building infrastructure to help support your franchise growth
Developing talent from within to drive culture and growth

Join our panel for an in-depth discussion on the ins and outs of multi-unit franchising: from initially launching your franchise, to marketing and development, operational challenges, to legal and accounting and growth through private equity from both the franchisor and franchisee perspective. You do not want to miss this!

Julie Lusthaus, Principal - Lusthaus Law PC

Julie Lusthaus has extensive experience representing companies and their owners seeking to expand their businesses through franchising. She represents franchisors and franchisees at all stages of their business development and operations. Her franchise clients operate in various industries including restaurants, retail, hospitality, real estate, recreation and family entertainment, business services, medical services, household and home improvement services, health care, senior care, childcare, pest control, professional development and pet care services. Read More

Michael Iannuzzi, CPA, CFE, Partner & Co-Practice Leader, Franchising - Citrin Cooperman

Michael Iannuzzi is a partner and co-leader of the firms franchise practice providing audit and accounting, business consulting and advisory, and tax planning services to a wide spectrum of businesses. Michael works with franchisors and multi-unit franchisees in a variety of industries, but not limited to, fitness and athletic centers, children entertainment services, junk removal companies, mobile concepts, pet hotels, Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) and grocery stores...Read More

Steven Gardner, Founder - QSR Development Group

Steven Gardner is Founder of QSR Franchise Development Group, Fitwell Advisors and EnergiZ. He has 30 years experience in Franchise Sales, Development, Brokerage and Commercial Real-Estate. Steven has represented numerous national concepts as Franchise Development Director and in some instances Real Estate Director of the brand . He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Boston University. Currently engaged with affiliates as an outsourced Franchise and Business Development Director for multiple Regional/ National Retail Franchise Brands. He has been directly involved in sales of over 1000 units. Specialties include start up development programs, strategic brand consulting, marketing , public relations platforms, lead generation support and multi unit/ area development sales transactions. In addition , support and assist in the creation of financial business plans, projections and sales and discovery deck presentations to Industry CFO's, Investors and Private Equity Firms.

Alex Perez, COO - fresh&co

For the entirety of his career, Alex Perez operated many successful restaurant brands and businesses. Alex joined ST Management as Chief Operating Officer of fresh&co in 2013, just as the fast-casual industry was exploding. Alex’s leadership and guidance capitalizing on market opportunities, perfecting operating and training systems, and developing growth infrastructures have made fresh&co a leader in the restaurant industry. Under his leadership, fresh&co was named one of QSR’s Hottest Startup Fast Casual Restaurants. Alex was the force behind developing the fresh&co franchise business model and as fresh&co expands nationally, his extensive experience being both a franchisee and franchisor is extremely valuable. Alex’s knowledge and vision are vital to the success of fresh&co and has made him an important member of the ST Management executive team.