The International Franchise Association (IFA) 2025 conference was an inspiring and insightful event, offering a deep dive into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the franchising industry. From thought-provoking keynotes to engaging panel discussions, the AlphaGraphics HQ team took full advantage of the event to strengthen relationships, enhance industry knowledge, and reinforce our position as a thought leader in the franchise community.
Here are our key takeaways:
Broadening Our Perspective on Franchising
IFA provided a valuable opportunity to explore how brands approach national scalability, AI integration, operational efficiency, and franchise development. These insights are timely and relevant as AlphaGraphics continues refining our model and elevating the support we provide to our franchisees.
The breadth of educational content was impressive. Our team engaged in general sessions, roundtables, and breakouts on topics such as AI, executive leadership, franchise relations, marketing strategy, and operational excellence. We left energized and inspired by new ideas—and we can’t wait to start putting them into action.
Giving Back Through Knowledge: Sharing the Wheel of Excellence with the Franchise Community
It was a privilege to have our very own Ryan Farris, President and COO of AlphaGraphics, PostNet, and World Options, lead a featured session on the Franchising Wheel of Excellence. This comprehensive framework is designed to assess and enhance the health of a franchisee’s business by focusing on four key areas: finance, operations, sales, and marketing.
Ryan was joined by a panel of distinguished franchising leaders:
Together, they brought real-world experience and powerful insights into how brands use performance metrics and resource alignment to drive results across their networks.
This highly interactive session invited attendees to workshop their own KPIs within each quadrant of the Wheel. Participants collaborated with peers to define the unique metrics that matter most to their systems and identified actionable strategies to improve franchisee performance and long-term support. From uncovering hidden operational bottlenecks to aligning sales and marketing efforts more effectively, the session provided both structure and inspiration.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to give back to the IFA community through thought leadership and collaboration. Sessions like this reflect our ongoing commitment to sharing what works and lifting the franchising industry as a whole.
James Clear’s Keynote: The Power of Habit Formation
One of the standout moments of IFA 2025 was the keynote from James Clear, author of Atomic Habits. Clear spoke on habit formation and the impact of small, consistent improvements. His powerful statement, “Every action is a vote for the person you wish to become,” resonated deeply, especially in the context of business and leadership. In challenging situations where alignment may be difficult, this mindset encourages us to consciously shape the culture and direction of our organization through intentional actions.
AI’s Growing Role in Franchising & HR
A major theme throughout the educational sessions was the transformative impact of AI across all areas of franchise operations. The conversation has shifted from AI’s future potential to its immediate applications in driving efficiency and innovation. Breakout sessions explored how AI is streamlining processes in marketing, HR, and customer experience, giving brands a competitive edge. From automating candidate screening and enhancing employee engagement to optimizing customer interactions and personalizing marketing efforts, AI is reshaping the way franchises operate. As consumer expectations evolve, businesses that embrace AI will be better positioned to adapt, scale, and deliver a seamless brand experience. The key takeaway? AI isn’t just a trend—it’s a strategic advantage that forward-thinking franchises are leveraging now.
Congratulations, Mehul Patel!
We were thrilled to celebrate our very own Mehul Patel for being named a 2024 IFA Franchisee of the Year! This well-deserved recognition reflects his dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence. Mehul’s success is an inspiration, and we look forward to celebrating many more milestones with our incredible AlphaGraphics community.
Incredible Networking & Connection
IFA 2025 offered countless opportunities to build meaningful connections with fellow franchise leaders, innovators, and partners from across the industry.
Our team participated in roundtable discussions on high-impact topics ranging from lead generation to operational excellence—several of which were proudly hosted by AlphaGraphics team members. These intimate, peer-driven conversations sparked new ideas and fostered open dialogue about shared challenges and best practices.
In the evenings, we had the chance to connect more informally at networking events, including FranJam, which AlphaGraphics was proud to sponsor. Whether connecting over dinner or engaging in thoughtful discussions between sessions, these moments of collaboration reinforced the strength of the franchise community and our shared commitment to learning, supporting one another, and driving the industry forward together.
Strengthening Communication & Engagement
Enhancing communication with our franchisees continues to be a top priority, and IFA 2025 offered meaningful insights to guide our strategy. One key takeaway was the value of engaging our Franchise Advisory Council to capture input that drives alignment across the network. We were also reminded that effective communication requires tailoring our approach to each stage of the franchisee journey, ensuring relevance and impact.
Real-time engagement on social media emerged as a powerful tool for boosting visibility, building connection, and fostering morale. Just as important is celebrating franchisee achievements, which strengthens community and reinforces a culture of recognition.
Finally, strategic partnerships with groups like Franchise Filming and Emerging Franchise Brands are helping us tell our story in more impactful ways, highlighting the innovation and success within our network. These takeaways will help us continue evolving how we connect with, support, and elevate our franchisees.
Looking Ahead
IFA 2025 reinforced the importance of adaptability, strategic growth, and strong franchisee relationships. As we move forward, embracing AI, enhancing communication, and fostering a people-first culture will be key to our continued success.
AlphaGraphics is committed to leveraging these insights to drive innovation and provide even greater value to our franchise network. Thank you to everyone who contributed to an impactful and productive IFA 2025!