The annual Multi-Unit Franchising Conference is designed for the best and brightest in multi-unit franchising. Our CEO, John Teza, is a 20-year franchise veteran that cannot speak more highly of the event and the team that puts it on, Franchise Update Media. After attending our first MUFC in August 2021 and signing a 3-unit deal with experienced franchisees, the Hand & Stone Franchise Development Team was ready to come back for more!
At the beginning of 2022, we started planning our return to the 21st Multi-Unit Franchising Conference in Las Vegas. We began by recapping what we did in August, how we can build on our successes, and who to bring to represent our brand. This would be our recipe for success.
If you attended either of the last two MUFC, then you know how much of our skincare giveaways are a big hit! Once the conference floor doors open, attendees are surrounding our booth asking about our products and their role in our five-revenue stream business model. Our two amazing skincare partners, ClarityRX and Dermalogica, are always happy to gift us some of their staples to speak about their brands and our partnerships to attendees. This year, we decided to reach out to two of our other awesome partners, Therabody and NuFACE. Our booth visitors were able to enter a giveaway of one Elite Theragun and one NuFACE device, which are both used in our spa services every day. At the end of the event, we picked our winners, who were so excited, and shipped the prizes to them!
Tara McLain, Multi-Unit Franchisee
Not only is MUFC an incredible networking event, but the education and business advice you take away from the speakers and panelists is also invaluable. We are grateful to have such experienced operators in our system, and we were proud to have three Hand & Stone multi-unit franchise owners on panels for the second year in a row. Tara McLain moderated her panel, “Build Your Infrastructure to Grow.” Tara owns six spas throughout Florida and is expanding into Georgia this year. She explains, “Moderating a MUFC panel alongside an impressive list of franchisors and diverse group of franchisees at all levels was a highlight of the event for me.”
Across the hall, Jeff Flannery was discussing operations in the Advancement in Services Systems panel. Jeff joined our brand in 2019 and is already at 13 spas and counting across California, Arizona, Illinois, and Virginia.
For the second year in a row, our largest franchisee, Eric Danver, joined the General Session panel in front of the entire MUFC audience and shared knowledge about mergers & acquisitions and the benefits of working with service brands. Eric currently owns 30 spas across five states and is continuing to grow within our brand. When asked his thoughts about the event, he explains, “I was really impressed and benefited from all of the industry leaders that presented, as well as the different panels and breakout sessions that were moderated and led by other franchisees. Some of the best practices and thought processes on how to run my business currently as well as planning for the future were really helpful to me.”
This event is beneficial to not only our franchisees but to our franchise development team as well. Vice President of Franchise Development, Nicole Alburger (pictured left in cover photo), describes her experience these past few events, “I always take away some piece of franchise knowledge whenever I attend MUFC, but the networking here is top-notch. I love meeting experienced franchise owners and discussing adding the Hand & Stone brand to their portfolios. I have met such esteemed individuals and it keeps me coming back every year.” Even our Director of Franchise Development, Sarah Moudry (pictured right in cover photo), who has attended many times before, still gets something new out of the experience. "This was my seventh year in attendance and the best yet! Between the motivational speakers and brilliant, successful franchisees, I left more inspired and motivated than ever. I always bring home valuable lessons and multiple contacts in the franchise industry. In my opinion, this is the best show in franchising! Our booth was hopping, and everyone loved our partner's products. If we didn't connect in Vegas, please reach out!"
We are already looking forward to next year! If you are interested in attending a future event with us, please email Nicole nalburger@handandstone.com, or Sarah smoudry@handandstone.com.
