Grow with franchise leaders
everywhere they learn,
share and collaborate.

As of July 1, 2025, the International Franchise Association (IFA) proudly finalized its acquisition of Franchise Update Media (FUM), bringing together two of the top organizations in franchising.

This strategic partnership enhances IFA's commitment to serving the entire franchise ecosystem—franchisors, franchisees, suppliers, and investors—by combining IFA's advocacy, education, and benchmarking expertise with Franchise Update Media's award-winning content, events, and digital reach.

While the vision is strong for bringing value to all of franchising, the brands and teams will continue to operate distinctly. Over time, we'll be delivering more robust insights, amplified industry visibility, and expanded opportunities for collaboration and professional growth.

Learn more about this landmark development in our official press release.

OUR MISSION

The mission of Franchise Update Media is, and always has been, to help all stakeholders in franchising improve and grow their businesses. Over the years, we have grown and evolved how we deliver on that promise.


OUR FOCUS

The focus of Franchise Update Media is to provide an environment where customers can learn, find new business opportunities, network and be inspired by their peers. From our conferences with face-to-face contact to our published resources and our extensive online programs, we provide our customers with tools to further educate themselves, at their convenience.


WHY WE'RE THE EXPERTS.

When you've been in franchising for over 30 years, you learn a thing or two. We've learned a lot, which is why we make it easy for you to attract the right people for your business:

  • Franchise opportunity seekers look for two pieces of information – how to get started in franchising and what franchise brand is right for them.
  • Multi-unit franchisees come to us as the industry resource for content, programs, curriculum and new brands to help them learn, grow, and be inspired.
  • Suppliers in almost every industry look to us when they want to put their services in front of franchisors, franchisees, and franchise prospects.
  • Ready to take your franchise overseas? Talk to us about international opportunities, including our new European conference.

Advisory board power.

For each individual conference, we assemble and work with an Advisory Board of franchising leaders and influencers to develop relevant and timely content each and every year. The Advisory Board involvement and our commitment to quality content is what makes our conferences the must-attend events in franchising.

MEET THE TEAM

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Gary Gardner

SENIOR ADVISOR
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Therese Thilgen

SENIOR ADVISOR
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Diane Phibbs

VP, FUM MARKETING AND CONTENT
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Sue Logan

VP, FUM EVENT OPERATIONS
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Barbara Yelmene

VP, FUM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
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Kerry Pipes

DIRECTOR, FUM EXECUTIVE EDITOR
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Chelsea Weitzman

DIRECTOR, FUM CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
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Benjamin Foley

DIRECTOR, FUM TECHNOLOGY
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Cindy Cruz

DIRECTOR, FUM CREATIVE
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M. Scott Morris

MANAGER, FUM EDITOR
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Kevin Behan

MANAGER, FUM EDITOR
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Jeff Katis

DIRECTOR, FUM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SALES
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Hope Alteri

DIRECTOR, FUM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SALES
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Krystal Acre

DIRECTOR, FUM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SALES
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Katy Geller

DIRECTOR, FUM EVENT OPERATIONS
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Sharon Wilkinson

MANAGER, FUM EVENT OPERATIONS
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Juliana Foley

COORDINATOR, DIGITAL
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Matt Wing

SENIOR MANAGER, WEB DEVELOPER
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Don Rush

MANAGER, WEB DEVELOPER
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Michael Llantin

MANAGER, FUM GRAPHIC DESIGN
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Leticia Pascal

COORDINATOR, FUM EVENT OPERATIONS
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Taylor Williams

MANAGER, FUM MARKETING
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Heather Stoner

COORDINATOR, FUM SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS

Contact Us

Inquiry Type

This form is for contacting Franchise Update Media Only. Franchise Update Media does not represent any franchise brand and is a provider of franchise education and services. To contact a franchise brand, please visit their homepage.

Get in Touch

P.O. Box 20547, San Jose, CA 95160

Phone : (800) 289-4232 x202

Fax : (408) 402-5738


FOR ADVERTISING, EXHIBITOR & SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Email: [email protected]


SEND ARTICLE INQUIRIES TO:

Email: [email protected]


SEND PRESS RELEASES TO:

Email: [email protected]


SUBSCRIPTIONS:

Email: [email protected]

Phone : (408) 402-5681