Conversation with IFA Educational Foundation President John Reynolds

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

SPONSOREDUpdated 8:08AM • 02/11/16

The 2016 International Franchise Association Convention 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 IFA Educational Foundation. The foundation’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’s convention.

1851 Franchise: How does the IFA Educational Foundation provide education to franchisees?

John Reynolds: 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’s Annual Convention.

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’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 http://www.franchise.org/cfe-home.

1851: Why is it important to start educating the next wave of franchisees and franchisors as soon as possible?

JR: That is a great question. The life cycle of a franchise business is most fragile at the beginning—that’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—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—it greatly increases your chances of success for the long run. It’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’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.

1851: What are some programs the foundation has?

JR: There are a number of different programs, such as our CFE program, which we have talked about. The others are our Diversity Institute, which helps IFA members reach emerging markets, and increase diversity in franchising, while educating minority communities about the great opportunities in franchising. Another is VetFran, 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.

Another is NextGen 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.

1851: Does the IFA give any scholarships or provide any programs to help develop new franchisees?

JR: 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 http://www.franchise.org/special-programs-and-scholarships.

1851: What is the importance of the Education Foundation?

JR: 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.

Conversation with IFA Educational Foundation President John Reynolds

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS