We are Turning the Power Back On!

AKFCF will hold its Annual 2022 Convention at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida! We will bring our KFC family together to celebrate the brand’s success, participate in game-changer discussions, network with industry leaders, and experience hands-on workshops designed to take us into the digital future.

Plans for the 2021 Convention at the Gaylord National Resort in DC unfortunately went dark due to COVID-19. But we are once again powering up for a live convention in 2022 that will introduce new energy and sparks around every corner!

Our theme this year is “The Power of Opportunity.” We believe that after over two years apart, it is more critical than ever for franchisees and all members of our KFC family to get together again and re-connect, re-envision, re-energize, and re-commit ourselves to the opportunities that surround us.

Attending this convention as a member of the KFC family will provide you with unique opportunities to network and share different strategies that will help you experience new levels of success. Understanding how others got to where they are today and learning what opportunities are waiting for you are a big part of why you need to be there.

AKFCF wants to provide you with opportunities that will challenge you to use your talents, idealism, passion, and energy to be effective, whether inside the restaurants or out in public.

We are creating exciting new features for this convention, and we can’t wait to share them with you over the next few months. Get ready for a program bursting with amazing announcements, new product reveals, giveaways, workshops, celebration, recognition, surprises, and more!

Don’t miss your opportunity to join us in Orlando!

Brandon Robertson

AKFCF President

Schedule At Glance

Monday, March 7

6:30 am – 1:00 pm                    Ray Zimmerer Memorial Golf Tournament (fee)

Noon – 5:00 pm                         Registration Opens

2:15 pm – 5:15 pm                      Workshops

6:30 pm – 9:30 pm                    Welcome Reception

Tuesday, March 8

8:00 am – 9:00 am                     Networking Breakfast

9:00 am – 10:45 am                    AKFCF General Session

10:45 am – 11:00 am                   Break

11:00 am – 11:45 am                    Power Talks with KFCC, NCAC and RSCS

12:00 pm – 2:30 pm.                   Lunch – Trade Show

2:30 pm – 5:00 pm                      AKFCF Regional Meetings

6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.                Private Event at Universal Studios Florida™

Wednesday, March 9

8:00 am – 9:00 am.                   Breakfast

9:00 am – 12:00 pm                   Trade Show Open

12:15 pm – 1:30 pm                    AKFCF Luncheon

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm                    KFCC General Session

Free Night                                     (Complimentary Hotel shuttles to Disney Springs)

6:30 pm – 10:00 pm                   KFC Foundation Wine Dinner (fee)

Thursday, March 10

8:00 am -9:00 am.                    Networking Breakfast

7:30 am – 9:00 am                   Women’s Breakfast

9:00 am – 10:30 am                 General Session

10:30 am – 10:45 am                Break

10:45 am – 11:45 am                 Brand Q&A

11:45 am – Noon                        Break

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm                  AKFCF Legal Update

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm                   AKFCF Board Meeting

Sneak Preview 

Monday, March 7

Ray Zimmerer Memorial Golf Tournament (NEW Format!)

Celebration Golf Club

Get your group together for a day on the fairways!

This March AKFCF and the KFC Foundation are partnering to host the Ray Zimmerer Memorial Golf Tournament. The tournament will be held at Celebration Golf Club in Orlando. It’s here that you’ll do more than play a course—you’ll feel what it’s like to play the final course co-designed by the renowned masters of golf course architecture, Robert Trent Jones Senior and Junior. In designing Celebration Golf Club, their combined talents created a course unlike any other in the nation. It’s lush, like a natural park with undulating swells and topography, a course reflective of the very best of every course they have created around the world.

New this year: Build your own fabulous foursome to take the course by storm! In addition to participation in the tournament, your registration fee includes:

• Breakfast and lunch
• Bottomless bloody mary bar
• $200 Pro Shop credit for each member of the foursome
• Drinks as you golf
• Prizes and swag throughout the course

Registration for the scramble opens in October. The link will be posted on kfcfoundation.org and will be communicated via email, TeamKFC and more!

All proceeds from the golf scramble will go directly to your KFC Foundation, the non-profit with a vision to make every KFC restaurant employee feel supported and empowered to be their best self through life-changing assistance programs.

Start rounding up your foursome today, and don’t miss your shot to join us on the course!

Registration for the Ray Zimmerer Memorial Golf Scramble will open January 1, 2022.

Click here to be notified when registration opens.

AKFCF Attendee Registration

Check-in here when you arrive to get your name badge and other materials for the 2022 Convention.

Workshops

(Each workshop will be presented twice and is 75 minutes in duration)

Staffing and Retaining Today’s Talent

Join us for know-how building and best practice sharing around recruiting, hiring, and retaining talent in this new, post-pandemic world. Hear from an external perspective and leave with actions items you can do right away.

Guest Service with A Post-Pandemic Mindset

The pandemic has shifted consumer behavior and opened up new opportunities for our brand. In this workshop, we’ll explore what today’s guests are looking for and how to deliver that experience. Leave feeling inspired and excited about the future, with things you and your teams can do now to help make it a reality.

AKFCF Welcome Reception

Mangrove Lawn

 Kick-off the convention by reuniting with your KFC family in a relaxed outdoor setting filled with live music, drinks, and fabulous food. We know it’s been two years since you were able to just have fun with each other, so that’s why we took the reception out of the AKFCF Trade Show. You’ll experience some of Orlando’s finest fare and get a taste of the local flavor. Whether you are a first-time attendee or a twenty-year veteran, you’ll want to join us for this new but traditional experience, where you can catch up and enjoy time with friends and family.

Tuesday, March 8^th

AKFCF Opening Session and Keynote

AKFCF President Brandon Robertson will turn on the power and light up the 2022 Convention with highlights on the Association’s top priorities for 2022 and the progress we’ve made over the last year.

Keynote Artist:

Mike Rayburn

Mike Rayburn is a TEDx Presenter who teaches innovation, change and peak performance using world-class guitar and humor to create a transformational experience and generate exponential results. He has headlined Carnegie Hall, Las Vegas, and performed more than 5,000 presentations in 20 countries on five continents. His more than 1000 corporate clients include most of the Fortune 500, including multiple presentations for Walmart, Exxon, Wells Fargo, Lincoln Financial, UnitedHealth, IBM, Siemens, Verizon, Ford, Nationwide, MetLife, PepsiCo, Chevron, Sony, Allianz, and Liberty Mutual.

Being a mega-successful artist, as well as an innovative entrepreneur, Mike Rayburn is uniquely qualified to teach artistic principles in a business context, to give businesses and teams the edge they need to innovate and perform like virtuosos…and thus transform their success and significance.

Oh, and you’ll laugh until it hurts!

Power Talks with KFCC, NCAC and RSCS

Brandon Robertson will sit down with Kevin Hochman, Tom Broome, and Steve McCormick to discuss hot topics and share trending perspectives.

Regional Association Meetings

AKFCF Regions will meet to conduct important association business matters. Members of the AKFCF leadership will stop into each meeting to address any concerns and answer questions.

Trade Show Lunch

It’s back!!  After last year’s virtual Trade Show, our supplier partners are anxious to meet everyone face-to-face again!

For the first time, we are commencing the Trade Show during lunch. This is a great opportunity to join your fellow franchisees and our valued suppliers to see what’s on tap for 2022 and the future. Featuring everything you need to run your restaurant profitably; our suppliers will showcase all their newest products and services. Enjoy lunch and get exclusive access to the exhibitors you’ve been waiting to see, while networking with peers as you preview cutting-edge products from more than 175 leading vendors.  You won’t want to miss this important part of our annual Convention!

Private Event at Universal Orlando Resort

Get ready for one of the most incredible parties AKFCF has ever thrown — dinner in the Universal CityWalk entertainment complex followed by dessert, rides, and entertainment at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park! All night long, you’ll have unlimited access to the most amazing theme park rides and attractions in Orlando because we’ve reserved The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™- Hogsmeade™, Jurassic Park and Skull Island: Reign of Kong just for you. Soar above the Hogwarts™ grounds as you join Harry Potter™ and his friends on the groundbreaking thrill ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, fly deep into the Forbidden Forest on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure™, and visit the wizarding world’s best – known establishments in Hogsmeade™. Feel the rush of the hunt as you race through the jungle alongside Velociraptors on Jurassic World VelociCoaster. Brave a clash between prehistoric predators and the most colossal ape on Earth on Skull Island: Reign of Kong. It’ s an entire evening of thrills and excitement — and it’s all yours.

Wednesday, March 9

AKFCF Luncheon

Dan Gans, Principle and Founder, Polaris Consulting will now be presenting at the luncheon. Due to the ever-changing political environment, the Convention Committee felt it was important for Dan to give a timely update to the system. Dan Gans, taught us years ago, “You can have a seat at the table…or…you can be on the menu”! Your AKFCF Government Affairs consists of business minded Representatives, nominated by you, to work on the behalf of all KFC Franchisees in supporting, suggesting and moving legislation that is a benefit to you and our brand. Your (PAC) donation is extremely important for the GAC to continue this work. Please donate by clicking here.

The AKFCF awards will now be presented during the general sessions.

KFCC Power Presentations

Join KFC President Kevin Hochman and the KFC leadership team as they provide an update on brand results and more details about how we will continue to modernize the brand and accelerate our vision to $1.5MM AUVs. Learn more about the initiatives to create a more relevant menu, build new restaurants that provide our teams and guests with the digital technology to meet people where they are, and future proof our business to attract new, younger customers.

Explore Disney Springs

 The Gaylord Palms Resort will provide additional shuttles for AKFCF attendees wishing to visit Disney Springs for an evening on their own. Disney Springs is an utterly amazing place featuring an eclectic mix of unique boutiques, one-of-a-kind eateries and jaw-dropping entertainment that will have you feeling the magic in no time.

KFC Foundation Wine Dinner

Join the KFC Foundation for another exciting wine tasting! We know you loved sampling delicious wine with your KFC family so much that we’re offering it again in 2022—and this time, we’re bringing food to the table!

Each ticket will include a chef-prepared three-course plated dinner, delightful wine thoughtfully paired with each course, and a master sommelier guiding you through the tasting.

After dinner, we’ll keep the fun going with live music and a live auction with items you won’t want to miss!

The best part of it all? The proceeds from your ticket purchase and live auction item sales will go directly to your KFC Foundation, the non-profit with a vision to make every KFC restaurant employee feel supported and empowered to be their best self through our life-changing assistance programs.

Registration for the dinner opens in October. The link will be posted on kfcfoundation.org and will be communicated via email, TeamKFC and more!

Make sure to secure your ticket to this one-of-a-kind event to eat, drink and change lives!

Click Here For Tickets 

Thursday, March 10

Women’s Breakfast

Join KFCC and AKFCF women leadership team members, for the Women’s Leadership Breakfast! Connect and share ideas with other women in and around the brand. Lean in and listen to the amazing stories of challenges overcome and lessons learned while we connect, grow, and serve together. All female attendees are invited to join this breakfast.

General Session

Now It’s Up to Me: Turning Insights into Action

We often leave Convention inspired, motivated, and with new ideas. However, once we return home, it’s easy to set aside those intentions in our normal day-to-day. Let’s take time to reflect on what we’ve learned and make a plan for cascading our insights, inspiration, and action items to our teams.

Brand Q&A with AKFCF, KFCC, NCAC and RSCS

Leaders from each of the organizations will take your questions and comments about the brand’s newest innovations, operations, assets, labor issues, supply shortages and new initiatives for 2022.

Annual Legal Update

As the long pandemic drags on, the focus on moving the business forward remains laser focused.  This focus, along with Ron’s dual role as counsel for both the AKFCF and NCAC, puts him in a unique position to share both the pros and the cons of what is happening in the KFC world.  And after 2 years apart, there is a lot to talk about.  So come join Ron at one of our signature events—the Annual Legal Update– to hear about the things you know in a little more detail (and probably some things you don’t know as well)!

Convention and Event Registration

Early Bird Rate – $150

Register by November 30th

Regular Rate – $250

Register by February 7th

2022 On-Site Rate – $350

On-Site Check-In

On Monday, March 7^th from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., attendees may check in by last name at the AKFCF Registration Desk to pick up namebadges and tickets.

On-Site Registration

On-site registration is available to those who missed the registration deadline.

For KFC Foundation Sponsored Events go to www.kfcfoundation.org

Hotel Information

Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center

6000 West Osceola Parkway

Kissimmee, FL 34746

844-207-0462

www.gaylordpalms.com

Group Room Rate: $232 plus a $30 resort fee

Rate Deadline is February 11, 2022.

To Reserve Online Click Here

Reservations may also be made through phone: 877-382- 7299. Please advise that you are attending the AKFCF 2022 Convention to receive the group rate. All attendees are encouraged to book their rooms at the Gaylord to help ensure that the AKFCF fills its contracted room block toavoid attrition fees.

Please visit the Gaylord Palms Resort website for details on accommodations. The above rates are per guestroom, per night, for up to four(4) occupants. Rates are subject to a 14.5% sales tax.

Rates are honored three (3) days prior and post-Convention dates. Deposit of one night’s room and tax required at the time of booking. Changesand cancellations must be made within 72    hours of the scheduled arrival day to avoid one night’s penalty fee.

The deadline for hotel reservations at the group rate is February 11, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. eastern time.

New Water Fun for the Family at the Gaylord

Whether looking for thrills or relaxation, the Cypress Springs Water Park, Crystal River Rapids and South Beach Pool offer something for everyone. Exclusive to Gaylord Palms Resort guests are an AquaDrop slide, racing slides, zero-entry pool, rapid river, a tropical pool oasis inspired by South Beach and so much more.

Exhibitor Information

It’s back!! 

After last year’s virtual Trade Show, we know you are anxious to meet everyone face-to-face again!  This is a great opportunity to welcome the franchisees to see what’s on tap for 2022 and the future.

Trade Show Dates and Hours

Tuesday, March 8 – 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm (Lunch)

Wednesday, March 9 – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Click here for the Exhibitor Flyer, which details all of the costs and benefits of exhibiting in the Trade Show.  Register early to have your choice of the best sponsorship opportunities.  The cost of a booth only (including 2 attendees) is $6,500 and you will find Bronze ($8,500), Silver ($15,000), Gold ($25,000) and Platinum ($45,000) sponsor choices during registration.