The Focus Turns to FranDev This Time of the Year

By: Kerry Pipes | 2,486 Reads | 5 Shares

Featured in: Franchise Update Magazine: Issue 4, 2024

%3Cp%3EBy+the+time+we+get+to+Q4+at+Franchise+Update+Media%2C+two+words+take+the+spotlight%3A+franchise+development.+This+issue+explores+the+many+facets+of+frandev.+A+number+of+stories+flowed+out+of+the+Franchise+Leadership+%26amp%3B+Development+Conference+%28FLDC%29+in+Atlanta%2C+including+Mystery+Shopping%2C+STAR+Awards%2C+and+the+first+look+at+the+Annual+Franchise+Development+Report+%28AFDR%29.+It%26rsquo%3Bs+all+covered+in+this+issue+of+Franchise+Update+magazine.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EI+should+note+that+the+2024+FLDC+was+the+25th+anniversary+of+the+event.+It%26rsquo%3Bs+a+significant+milestone+for+the+conference+and+proof+that+franchise+development+practices+and+strategies+are+important+to+this+industry.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EThe+mystery+shoppers+went+to+work+again+this+year+and+evaluated+more+than+90+brands%2C+assessing+their+lead+generation%2C+recruitment+practices%2C+and+overall+industry+best+practices.+Those+who+scored+the+best+were+recognized+with+STAR+Awards+for+outstanding+performance+in+franchise+recruitment.+This+year%2C+the+award+categories+were+updated+to+acknowledge+excellence+in+franchise+recruitment+based+on+investment+levels.+You%26rsquo%3Bll+find+full+coverage+in+this+issue.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EThe+AFDR+provides+a+comprehensive+overview+of+franchise+lead+generation+and+recruitment+strategies.+The+report+is+based+on+a+survey+of+franchisors+that+analyzes+practices%2C+budgets%2C+and+perspectives+on+future+business+performance.+The+report+looks+to+identify+effective+strategies+and+emerging+trends+in+franchise+recruitment.+You+can+read+more+about+the+report+and+learn+how+to+order+a+copy+in+this+issue.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EElsewhere%2C+we+caught+up+with+Tina+Bacon-DeFreece%2C+president+and+CEO+of+Big+Frog+Franchise+Group%2C+and+Neil+Gill%2C+CEO+and+president+of+Dogtopia.+Among+other+things%2C+DeFreece+shared+how+the+brand+has+continued+to+embrace+technology%2C+including+a+new+e-commerce+add-on+to+the+brand%26rsquo%3Bs+website.+Gill+told+us+about+the+changes+that+have+occurred+since+reinventing+the+Dogtopia+brand+in+August+of+2015%2C+including+exponential+comp+and+store+growth+and+a+thumbs+up+from+both+franchisees+and+%26ldquo%3Bpet+parents.%26rdquo%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EWe+also+talked+with+Mary+Ann+Donaghy%2C+chief+marketing+%26amp%3B+customer+experience+officer+at+Zips+Cleaners.+She%26rsquo%3Bs+an+experienced+data-driven+marketing+leader%2C+and+she%26rsquo%3Bs+making+a+difference+at+the+Maryland-based+brand.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EEverything+else+you+expect+to+find+in+Franchise+Update+magazine+is+here+between+the+pages.+We+hope+you+find+this+issue+overflowing+with+information+you+can+use+to+help+grow+your+business+and+enhance+your+franchise+development+efforts.+We%26rsquo%3Bll+see+you+again+in+2025%21%3C%2Fp%3E

Published: December 22nd, 2024