FRANCHISE Update Magazine Issue III, 2025: 2025 AFMR Survey
FRANCHISE Update Magazine: 2025 AFMR Survey

Q3 | 2025

2025 AFMR Survey

Customer Experience, Local Reach, and Artificial Intelligence Integration

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Sharing the "Why": Donatos Pizza CEO Aims to Grow the Right Way
Kevin King focuses on quality, community, and franchise partner success
Kerry Pipes
Guiding Vision: CEO Builds Bold Blueprint for Bloomin' Blinds
Bloomin' Blinds has accelerated its national expansion under Jeff Wharton's direction
Kerry Pipes
Listen Up, Franchisors! Your Best Ideas Might Come from the Front Lines
Franchisees aren't just implementers; they're often innovators
Colleen McMillar
Calling on Capitol Hill: Why the IFA Advocacy Summit Matters
The IFA Advocacy Summit is the most important event for anyone invested in the future of franchising
Matt Haller
Collaborative CX: FCXC Shines Light on Loyalty, Departmental Synergy, and Tech Innovation
At FCXC, franchise leaders shared their extensive expertise and gained valuable insights
Kerry Pipes
CEO Summit Highlights Loyalty as a Strategic Growth Engine
Reports detail discussions from the 2025 Franchise Customer Experience Conference
Kerry Pipes
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Franchise Leaders Say Personal Touches Win Loyalty
At FCXC 2025, franchise leaders proved the power of local connection--turning small moments into lasting customer loyalty
M. Scott Morris
Finding the CX Balance With Personal Touch and Technology
Franchise leaders at FCXC 2025 stressed a balance: use tech smartly, but never lose the human connection that builds trust
Kerry Pipes
Tech and Data Are Shaping the Future of CX
The future of CX? Collaborative, data-driven, human-centered. FCXC 2025 panelists urged: Tech must delight, not just serve.
Kevin Behan
7th Annual Franchise Innovation Awards: 2025 Winners Embraced Technology to Boost Their Businesses
For the 7th Annual Franchise Innovation Awards, judges evaluated each entry's objective, the problem it solved, and the innovations required. Here are the 2025 winners!
Kevin Behan
2025 Franchise Marketing Leadership Award Winner-Goldfish Swim School
Goldfish Swim School is the Marketing Leadership Award winner of Franchise Update Media's 2025 Innovation Awards
Kevin Behan
2025 Franchise Operations & Technology Award Winner-Dave's Hot Chicken
Dave's Hot Chicken is the Franchise Operations & Technology Award winner of Franchise Update Media's 2025 Innovation Awards
Kevin Behan
CMO Roundtable With Dana Benfield, Chief Marketing Officer at Spavia Day Spa
Technology should enhance human connection--at Spavia Day Spa, we blend innovation with personal care to elevate every guest experience
Franchise Update Media
CMO Roundtable With Patrick Noone, Chief Marketing Officer at Slim Chickens
Blending tech with a personal touch, Slim Chickens uses AI, data & digital tools to deepen guest connections
Franchise Update Media
CMO Roundtable With Reid Nolte, Executive Vice President of Marketing at PJ's Coffee
PJ's coffee blends tech + personal touch to boost loyalty, elevate flavors, and celebrate New Orleans charm
Franchise Update Media
Nurturing the Garden: Neighborly's CMO Balances the Unique Needs of 19 Brands
Stacy Lynn Bourgeois aims to help brands grow strong and stay true to their roots
Kerry Pipes
Local Marketing Blind Spot: New AFMR Reveals Surprising Spending Trends
Many franchise brands say franchisees are not required to report on their local marketing spend
Jack Monson
Fast Track to Know-How: Microlearning Reaches Employees Where They Are
In an era of shrinking attention spans, employee training works best in short, focused segments
John DiJulius
Where To Grow Next: The Franchise Site Hunt Gets A Tech Upgrade
Intuition still has a place in real estate site selection, but layers of consumer data go into decisions
M. Scott Morris
Challenge the Pros: Jeff Todd on Using Technology to Improve The Quality of Franchisee Leads
Launch Entertainment boosts franchisee lead quality with tech-driven targeting, AI tools & a seamless CRM process
Franchise Update Media
Challenge the Pros: Marita Swift on Using Technology to Improve The Quality of Franchisee Leads
Tech + strategy fuel Big Biscuit's franchise growth: smarter targeting, qualified leads, & strong brand connections
Franchise Update Media
Challenge the Pros: Jon Fischer on Using Technology to Improve The Quality of Franchisee Leads
At Wetzel's Pretzels, tech powers smarter targeting, tracking & virtual touchpoints to boost franchisee lead quality
Franchise Update Media
Challenge the Pros: Ryan Stansbury on Using Technology to Improve The Quality of Franchisee Leads
PJ's Coffee boosts franchisee lead quality with data-driven ads, CRM tracking, and continuous strategy refinement
Franchise Update Media
The Naked Salesperson: AI Informs Prospects, Making Transparency Paramount
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has fundamentally changed how prospective franchisees evaluate opportunities
Evan Hackel
The Science of Site Selection: Connect with the Right Brand, Operator, and Location 
A site that's perfect for one concept might doom another
Paul Wilbur
Adapt Without Compromise: When Franchises Reinvent Themselves Abroad
Brands that thrive overseas make smart, respectful changes without compromising their identity
William Edwards
Built To Fit: Technology Must Adapt to the Franchise Model
Franchise tech isn't about building for a brand or a store; it's about building for both
Dennis Leskowski
Active Participation: Executive Sponsors are Game Changers in Franchise Recruitment
Brands that increase regularly, quarter after quarter, tend to have engaged leadership
Art Coley
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