Robin Gagnon Named Chair of IFA Women’s Franchise Committee

By: We Sell Restaurants | 1 Shares 125 Reads

We Sell Restaurants CEO to Lead Committee’s Networking and Outreach Programs

February 28, 2022 // Franchising.com // Palm Coast, FL - We Sell Restaurants’ Co-Founder and CEO Robin Gagnon has been named the new Chair of the International Franchise Association’s Women’s Franchise Committee.

As Chair, Gagnon will lead all networking and outreach initiatives for the committee across multiple platforms. She and the committee will develop the programming for the Annual Leadership Conference, a bonus session focusing on leadership and growth that takes place during the IFA’s Annual Convention. She has led the conference committee for the past two years and has developed the theme of “Modern Leadership: Embracing New Ways of Being, Knowing, and Doing” for this year’s convention, which will take place February 26 - March 1 in San Diego, CA.

Gagnon will oversee the Women’s Franchise Network, a collection of 22 chapters from major cities across the country which helps develop relationships for women in the franchise community. Approaching its 20th anniversary, the WFN brings together female franchise professionals and addresses issues, shares ideas and offers solutions related to franchising.

Additionally, Gagnon will also lead several activities that showcase the achievements of women in franchising and bring them together for enrichment opportunities. The WFC’s Her Success Podcast features stories from successful women leaders and their insights on navigating the world of business and franchising from a female perspective.

Each week, Gagnon hosts a Women in Franchising discussion on the Clubhouse app that highlights some of the major topics of interest in the franchising community from operations, marketing, training and development. She led the popular weekly discussion while serving as the WFC’s Co-Chair in 2021 and will continue to do so in the coming year. Gagnon has been a member of the IFA for the past 10 years. The IFA is the only global trade association representing the franchising sector.

“It is a tremendous honor to be named Chair of the IFA’s Women’s Franchise Committee and I am looking forward to continuing to guide many of the committee’s great programs,” said Gagnon. “I am very passionate about creating opportunities for women in franchising, sharing insights and best practices and helping others throughout our community. It is a privilege to lead a committee of dedicated women working to build and strengthen relationships for women in franchising over the next year.”

Gagnon and her husband, Eric, co-founded We Sell Restaurants, the nation’s only business brokerage franchise specializing in restaurants. Now in its 20th year, We Sell Restaurants has cemented its position as the leader in restaurant sales with transactions in 45 states nationwide. The franchise has helped save countless industry roles and transferred hundreds of locations into a new generation of owners, many from diverse backgrounds that are achieving the American dream one restaurant at a time.

In 2012, Gagnon and her husband co-authored Appetite for Acquisition, an award-winning book on buying restaurants. Prior to co-founding We Sell Restaurants, she was the Vice President of Strategic Marketing for Federated Department Stores. In that role, she oversaw marketing for the Macy’s South division and the company’s $4 billion of retail sales each year. Gagnon also served as Director of Advertising and Director of Business Development for Meldisco, an international footwear firm.

SOURCE We Sell Restaurants

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