5 Takeaways From the Franchise Operations Summit: What You Need to Know in 2026

Another incredible FBR Franchise Operations Summit is in the books, and this year’s attendee feedback reinforced something we see year after year: The franchising community learns best when we learn from each other. Leaders across brands—from emerging concepts to the most established  names—shared what resonated most, what challenged their thinking, and what they’re taking home to shape their 2026 strategic plans.

Across industries and experience levels, five major themes stood out. Here’s a breakdown of the top learnings and how franchise operations and HR leaders can turn them into actionable strategies for the year ahead.

1. Human-Centered Leadership Is Now a Strategic Advantage

Best-selling author Vanessa Van Edwards’ keynote on the balance of warmth and competence struck a deep chord with attendees. Leaders recognized that the way we show up—emotionally, relationally, and behaviorally—is directly tied to franchisee trust, engagement, and performance.

Why It Matters for 2026

Franchisees are under more pressure than ever. Higher costs, tighter margins, and labor challenges make emotional intelligence a must-have—not a nice-to-have.

Strategies for Leaders

For the C-Suite:

• Incorporate EQ-driven leadership expectations into executive performance frameworks.
• Model vulnerability and openness in communications, even (and especially) during difficult conversations.

For Operations VPs & Directors:

• Train field teams on warmth/competence cues and teach them how to use better questions to build trust (“What great things are you working on?”).
• Host monthly internal role-playing sessions to practice human-centered communication skills.

Why bring your team next year: The Summit is known for putting fresh faces on stage that inspire but also offer practical takeaways around the human side of franchising. The keynote alone is worth bringing your entire ops team—especially FBCs and rising leaders who may not yet see the wider impact of their interpersonal style on franchisee success.

“I really enjoyed how the keynote and final presentation focused on EQ!  This is an area not always managed by the Franchisor and I want a deeper dive here. Very powerful!”

2. Crisis Management and Succession Planning Can’t Wait

Sessions like “When the Fryer’s on Fire” and “Plan for the End From the Start” emphasized the need to prioritize the operational strategies that are often at the bottom of the list–especially when teams are stretched thin. Many attendees left with a renewed urgency to formalize or refresh their crisis response and succession plans. Leaders noted that these initiatives often get pushed “to next quarter”… until a real issue forces action.

Why It Matters for 2026

Regulatory changes, public scrutiny, multi-unit turnover, and increased franchisee stress make preparedness mission-critical.

Strategies for Leaders

For the C-Suite:

• Ensure crisis response protocols are updated, role-specific, and practiced annually.
• Elevate succession planning from an HR exercise to a strategic imperative.

For Operations VPs & Directors:

• Map out SOP gaps across your system and close the top five before Q2.
• Create brand-specific succession templates for franchisees and make them part of your business planning meetings.

Why bring your team next year: Breakouts on topics like crisis planning, compliance, risk mitigation, and multi-unit transitions prepare your team with the tools—and confidence—to operationalize proactive, not reactive, strategies.

“The crisis management table discussion was very robust, specific, actionable, and while it was from a dispute, the conversation around it was excellent.”

3. Every Brand Faces the Same Operational Challenges (and You’re Not Alone)

The Summit provided multiple opportunities for formal roundtable discussions as well as informal networking opportunities–both frequently cited by attendees as one of the favorite experiences at the event. A huge “aha moment” for attendees was realizing that, regardless of industry, brands are tackling the same issues: labor, profitability, coaching, communication, and franchisee trust. The Summit community provided a sense of relief, reassurance, and reinforcement.

Why It Matters for 2026

Leaders who isolate themselves inside their brand’s bubble miss out on proven solutions that others have already tested. 

Strategies for Leaders

For the C-Suite:

• Establish quarterly cross-brand peer groups for ongoing learning.
• Encourage directors to benchmark performance and processes outside the system.

For Operations VPs & Directors:

• Bring top challenges to roundtable-style discussions internally, using the Summit roundtable model.
• Build a “franchise ops advisory circle” of 5–7 peers from the Summit and meet virtually throughout the year.

Why bring your team next year: Operations teams really want to learn from each other so everyone succeeds. Your people will discover they’re not alone—and that alone is transformative.

“​​I love that my team gets to hear best practices and challenges from other brands… other FBCs. I have a lean team of 3 and while they are close, it’s nice to get perspective!”

4. Internal Programs Need Modernization (Coaching, SOPs, and Culture)

Multiple attendees noted they’re heading home with work to do: redesigning coaching programs, tightening SOPs, and reinforcing culture. These foundational elements directly impact franchisee satisfaction and system performance.

Why It Matters for 2026

Outdated systems cause inconsistent execution, inefficiency, and franchisee frustration.

Strategies for Leaders

For the C-Suite:

• Fund a Q1 operational audit to assess SOP clarity, coaching model effectiveness, and culture alignment.
• Make operational consistency a board-level KPI.

For Operations VPs & Directors:

• Update coaching programs to be more data-driven and relationship-centered.
• Bring SOP reviews into your annual planning cycle—not only when something breaks.
• Reinforce culture intentionally at every stage of the franchise lifecycle.

Why bring your team next year: The Summit’s operational breakouts give directors and coaches hands-on tools they can implement immediately.

“We need to really refresh our coaching program, and I am READY for it!”

5. Strong Franchisee Support Is Essential in a Tougher Macro Environment

A number of attendees shared that franchisees are feeling squeezed—and sometimes that pressure shows up as tension in relationships. Leaders need to be responsive, empathetic, and proactive in supporting them.

Why It Matters for 2026

A brand’s long-term health depends on franchisees feeling supported, heard, and respected—especially when times are difficult.

Strategies for Leaders

For the C-Suite:

• Reevaluate communication rhythms and transparency expectations with franchisees.
• Invest in initiatives that shore up franchisee satisfaction and financial stability.

For Operations VPs & Directors:

• Train coaches on how to diffuse frustration and redirect conversations toward partnership.
• Build trust by showing operators you’re working with them, not telling them what to do.

Why bring your team next year: These interpersonal and operational support skills are sharpened through the Summit’s collaborative, solutions-driven programming.

“The harder the macro-environment is on franchisees, the more they lash out. It’s up to us operators to build trust and support the franchisees, working with them vs telling them what to do.”

Bring Your Entire Operations & HR Teams to the Summit Next Year

If there’s one thing this year’s attendees made clear, it’s this:

The Summit is where franchise operations professionals get the insights, community, and tools they need to lead at the highest level.

Across comments, leaders said the same thing:

• “I already plan to come back.”
• “I’ll be there!”
• “Loved it, will bring more team back next year.”

Whether your goal is to strengthen your leadership bench, streamline internal programs, deepen franchisee trust, or prepare your brand for long-term success, the Summit is the most impactful event you can invest in for your operations and HR teams.

Your 2026 strategy begins now—and bringing your people to next year’s Summit is the most powerful support you can give them to achieve success.

Super Early Bird rates for the Summit are available now. Rates go up on January 6. Make sure to get your tickets now at the lowest rate before it’s too late!

The Only Event Designed Just for Franchise Operations & HR Teams

How can you make an immediate and lasting impact on your franchisees’ success? Find out at the FBR Summit, October 28-30 in Austin, TX. The Summit is an intensive, franchise industry event created just for operations leaders and their teams that directly support franchisees. Don’t miss it!

REGISTER NOW