1851

<div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">The <a href="http://convention.franchise.org/home?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=conversation-with-ifa-educational-foundation-president-john-reynolds-3575" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2016 International Franchise Association Convention</a> is right around the corner. Franchisees, franchisors and other members of the franchise industry will descend upon San Antonio, Texas from Feb. 20 to 23 to network and discuss trends in the industry. One of the organizations that will be at the convention is the <a href="http://www.franchise.org/educational-foundation?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=conversation-with-ifa-educational-foundation-president-john-reynolds-3575" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">IFA Educational Foundation</a>. The foundation&#8217;s core mission is to advance franchising through education and research. John Reynolds, president of the IFA Educational Foundation, spoke with us about the Foundation and what it has in store for this year&#8217;s convention.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style=""><strong><a href="http://1851franchise.com/" target="_blank">1851 Franchise</a></strong>: How does the IFA Educational Foundation provide education to franchisees?</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style=""><strong>John Reynolds</strong>: The main education focus of the foundation is through the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program which offers continuing education credits (CFE credits) for online courses, webinars, on-site seminars and for attending conferences like the IFA&#8217;s Annual Convention.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">Nearly 2,000 executives are actively participating as candidates and graduates in the Certified Franchise Executive program.  At the 2016 IFA Annual Convention, 162 executives will receive their CFE designation. ICFE&#8217;s mission is to enhance the professionalism of franchising by certifying the highest standards of quality training and education. You can find more information at <a href="http://www.franchise.org/cfe-home?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=conversation-with-ifa-educational-foundation-president-john-reynolds-3575" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.franchise.org/cfe-home</a>.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style=""><strong>1851</strong>: Why is it important to start educating the next wave of franchisees and franchisors as soon as possible?</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style=""><strong>JR</strong>: That is a great question. The life cycle of a franchise business is most fragile at the beginning&#8212;that&#8217;s true for a franchisor that is just starting out and a franchisee with his or her first store. When you get those first building blocks right&#8212;a solid business plan, clear objectives for the first few years, the right amount of capitalization, carefully choosing your first franchisees and your first hires and setting the right culture and values from day one&#8212;it greatly increases your chances of success for the long run. It&#8217;s easier said than done. So learning best practices and learning and networking with others who have experience and have been there and done it, that&#8217;s one of the great take-home values of the CFE program. And it is one of the great reasons for being part of the IFA community.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style=""><strong>1851</strong>: What are some programs the foundation has?</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style=""><strong>JR</strong>: There are a number of different programs, such as our CFE program, which we have talked about. The others are our <a href="http://www.franchise.org/diversityfran?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=conversation-with-ifa-educational-foundation-president-john-reynolds-3575" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Diversity Institute</a>, which helps IFA members reach emerging markets, and increase diversity in franchising, while educating minority communities about the great opportunities in franchising. Another is <a href="http://www.franchise.org/vetfran?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=conversation-with-ifa-educational-foundation-president-john-reynolds-3575" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">VetFran</a>, which offers assistance, jobs, and financial incentives to veterans seeking to become franchise owners. Since 2011, more than 238,000 veterans and spouses have found employment in franchising, and more than 6,500 have become franchise owners.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">Another is <a href="http://www.nextgenfranchising.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=conversation-with-ifa-educational-foundation-president-john-reynolds-3575" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NextGen</a> in Franchising, which is dedicated to creating a talent pipeline for future franchisees, franchisors and suppliers, by engaging and educating the next generation. NextGen engages young entrepreneurs and students who are seeking careers and business opportunities in the franchising industry. More than 250 entries were received from young entrepreneurs with early-stage franchise businesses, from across the U.S. and around the world. The top 20 winners were selected by judges to participate in the NextGen in Franchising Accelerator Program at the IFA Annual Convention in San Antonio.&nbsp;</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style=""><strong>1851</strong>: Does the IFA give any scholarships or provide any programs to help develop new franchisees?</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style=""><strong>JR</strong>: The Foundation awards a number of scholarships to students who are enrolled in colleges that offer franchising, business, hospitality and other related fields of study. These scholarships are funded by generous donations from IFA members. More information about scholarships and application forms can be found at &nbsp;<a href="http://www.franchise.org/special-programs-and-scholarships?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=conversation-with-ifa-educational-foundation-president-john-reynolds-3575" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.franchise.org/special-programs-and-scholarships</a>.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style=""><strong>1851</strong>: What is the importance of the Education Foundation?</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style=""><strong>JR</strong>: When you invest in developing people at an early stage in their studies, in their careers, and in their businesses, you get a ten-fold return years later from that investment as those young people, young entrepreneurs, and those franchisors and franchisees who are just starting out make their contributions to a stronger, better prepared, and more vital industry.</span></div>

1851 Franchise

Reynolds discusses the Foundation's initiatives and its educational programs.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Conversation with IFA Educational Foundation President John Reynolds    

conversation-with-ifa-educational-foundation-president-john-reynolds

Busy Bee Jumpers

Busy Bee Jumpers Buzzes into Franchising: Three New Franchisees Signed in First 30 Days

busy-bee-jumpers-buzzes-into-franchising-three-new-franchisees-signed-in-first-30-days

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Reports Strong Midyear Momentum 

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Reports Strong Midyear Momentum with Revenue Gains, Record Membership, and Strategic Expansion

fitness-premier-mid-year-growth-2025

Woodhouse Spas

image of a woodhouse spa franchise buildings exterior 

Woodhouse Spas Continues Strong Momentum With Double-Digit Growth in Q2

woodhouse-spas-q2-2025-growth-expansion

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne's Chicken Fingers-Mountain-State-Devo-June-2025

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Eyes Expansion in Mountain States

laynes-chicken-fingers-franchise-mountain-states-expansion

ServiceMaster Restore

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Strong Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

servicemaster-restore-powers-into-the-second-half-of-2025-with-strong-growth-and-purpose-driven-impact

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

Conversation with IFA Educational Foundation President John Reynolds

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS