The Franchise Game, an African American Franchise Symposium and Trade Show, Is Coming to Plano

The Franchise Game, the nation’s first and only African American Franchise Symposium and Trade Show, will hold its inaugural event in Plano on September 15 at the Yum! Restaurants International corporate campus. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Led by Tarji Carter—also known as “The Franchise Player”—and marketing maven Dessie Brown Jr., the event is a symposium aimed at bringing together experts and industry leaders to discuss the secrets to success, challenges, and opportunities in franchising.

“With this event, we’re looking to attract multi-unit franchisees, owner/operators, potential investors, athletes, entertainers, and franchise brands seeking to attract franchisees that reflect the communities they serve,” said Carter, who’s worked with leading restaurant brands including Cinnabon, Carvel, Baskin Robbins, Dunkin, Wingstop, Edible Arrangements, Fuddruckers, and Bojangles’.

“We want to increase franchise ownership and wealth across the African American community by providing education, resources, and opportunities to aspiring franchisees and small business owners,” Carter added, “and we can reach this goal by partnering with franchise brands committed to inclusion, equity, and belonging.”

How to play ‘The Franchise Game’

Organizers said the inaugural event’s theme is Doing the Work!

A message from James Fripp, the chief equity, inclusion, and belonging officer of Yum! Brands, will kick off the day. A keynote address will be delivered by Nicholas Perkins, CEO of Fuddruckers and the first African American to own a national hamburger franchise system, followed by a lineup of panel discussions led by franchise subject matter experts including Mike Quinn (franchisee, Pizza Hut), Tim Williams (director of operations, Williams Chicken), Damon Dunn (franchisee, Dunkin’ Brands, and retired NFL player), Delmas Arthur (operations manager, Dunkin’ Brands, Starbucks, 5 Guys, McDonald’s, and Hardee’s), and Tarji Carter.

The Franchise Game is fueled by iconic African American magazine JET, and will feature sessions from franchisees, lawyers, business development officers, and operation managers.

Sessions will include:

A Day in the Life of a Franchisee where attendees will learn from some of the industry’s best multi-unit franchisees
Talk to My Attorney! where attendees will learn about the legal rights and responsibilities from franchise attorneys
Bag Secured, which is designed to address accessing capital for business),
Operational Excellence (which is designed to show attendees how to grow from an Owner-Operator to owning a large enterprise
How to Get Started and Approved, which is the official guide to franchise ownership.

Before the symposium and trade show, The Franchise Game will also hold a VIP Reception on September 14 for executives, brands, and select attendees.

To register or for more information, go here.

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