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By Shane Lovato Cheers to the Future! As we embark on new endeavors, it’s customary to raise a glass to the well-being and good fortune of all involved. So, I raise a toast to each of you — our incredible members. The past few years have tested us all. From supply chain disruptions to natural disasters, we've faced numerous challenges. Yet, through it all, we have remained steadfast...

By Kelly RodenbergIf you have not been to a Convention in a few years or this will be your first time, here are some suggestions for making the trip to the Nashville Convention easier. We know it can feel daunting to attend a large Convention and Trade Show for the first time. We've put together a few basic steps to ensure you have an amazing...

By JoAnna Mueller It seems that each election just gets crazier than the last. The 2024 elections certainly have been historic already. The sitting president dropped out of the race and the former president was almost assassinated twice. With absentee and early voting beginning, in some ways, election day is upon us and will be for the foreseeable future. We won’t know the exact results on...

By Tony Cameron Hello from the Northeast. It has been a longtime tradition of the Northeast to honor a franchisee from our past who has paved the way for us, and in some cases is still inspiring us today, with our Timeless Inspiration Award. We present the award annually the night before our Spring RGM Meeting begins. The Award was started by Northeast Past President Mike...

By Kelly Rodenberg Since our 2020 Annual Convention in Nashville, it seems like a new celebrity bar is opening on Broadway every week. Back in June, we toured many of them to select the perfect location for the 2025 Convention’s final night party. Can you guess which one we chose? If you’re a Miranda Lambert fan, you can’t miss her lively spot Casa Rosa Bar and Restaurant located...

By Jennifer Thomas The Southeast region held its annual Summer Board Meeting at the end of July in Nassau, Bahamas. President, Eric Felker, selected a location at Baha Mar (and dates—we were ahead of Hurricane Debby’s arrival!) that was perfect for our franchisees and their families. The agenda included reports from Legal, RSCS, NCAC, GAC, Sponsors, and discussion on business hot topics. The meeting was capped...

By Kelly Rodenberg We all have a story to tell. Stories scratch away at any limit to your imagination and bond human beings across time, place, and language. A truly great story touches the heart, however it is delivered and received. Storytelling enables successful people the ability to persuade, influence, and connect. Get ready to craft, leverage, and expand your story in Nashville! The 2025 Annual AKFCF Convention...

By JoAnna Mueller It has been a crazy few weeks politically and we don’t expect it to calm down any time soon. On the first day of the RNC Convention, Former President Trump announced that J.D. Vance of Ohio would be his running mate. We wanted to preview Sen. Vance’s history with small businesses. J.D. Vance is a strong advocate for small businesses. His platform emphasizes...

By Kevin Schlutz Late last month, for the first time in at least 5 years, the Greater Midwest region had a meeting “in the region” to allow those members who are unable to travel to Convention or the fall meeting to attend an in-person meeting within driving distance for many. It was technically a board meeting, but all were welcome, and it was an intense and extremely...

By JoAnna Mueller On June 4th and 5th, the AKFCF Government Affairs Committee orchestrated an impactful fly-in event. The primary issues for discussion were Department of Labor policies, taxes, swipe fees, joint employer laws, and stablecoin, all critical to the success and sustainability of franchisees.  The event kicked off Tuesday with breakfast, featuring a welcome address by Jimmy Panetta (CA-19). This set the stage for a day packed with informative sessions...