MSA Worldwide

**Join MSA Worldwide at the CFA Convention in Niagra Falls, Canada** The Canadian Franchise Association’s 2025 Convention will focus on a return to good business basics and the important relationships that form the foundation of franchising. Join us from April 5 to 7, 2025, as we unite under the theme “Our Community, Our Purpose: Stronger Together.” CFA members are the backbone of the organization, and this annual event is the chance to connect with those who share the same commitment to the industry. Michael Seid, Managing Director and Andrew Seid, Senior Consultant of MSA Worldwide, will present the CFE session “Understanding the Business Fundamentals of Franchising: An Essential Course for CFE Candidates,” on Saturday, April 5 from 1 PM to 4 PM. If you are a CFE candidate, or are simply looking to build out and fine-tune your knowledge of franchising, this is a must-attend course. This CFE class will cover: ??? ?History and basics of franchising ??? ?Ownership structures used in franchising ??? ?Critical issues to consider in developing a franchise system ??? ?Understanding site selection and territorial rights ??? ?Understanding franchise fees ??? ?Supporting your franchisees ??? ?Maintaining brand standards ??? ?Bringing your franchise system to the United States ? To register for the CFA Convention, visit: https://lnkd.in/eSXwhGeM MSA is proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of this event. We hope to see you there! #Franchising #CFA #businessgrowth #Canada #Franchisor #CFAGrowingTogether #CFACommunity

** Join Us for the 2025 Multi Unit Franchising Conference March 25-28 in Las Vegas ** The annual “MUFC” brings together innovative industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and franchise professionals to share insights, best practices and innovations in the franchising world. The 2025 event offers new features, engaging sessions, and networking opportunities that will elevate the conference to new heights. Join us for this workshop on March 28 from 8:30 to 11:30 AM: *Key Business and Legal Issues for International Franchise Agreements and Supply Chain Agreements* - Moderator: Kay Ainsley, Managing Director, MSA Worldwide - Panelist: Michael Seid, Managing Director, MSA Worldwide Joyce Mazero - Partner, Polsinelli Leonard MacPhee, Partner, Polsinelli This comprehensive session will delve into key business and legal issues surrounding international franchise agreements and supply chain management. Attendees will gain valuable insights into crucial aspects of global franchising, including registration, disclosure, and legal compliance across various jurisdictions. The program will cover red flags in different countries, pre-sale and post-sale requirements, and the complexities of translation and notarization. Participants will learn about best practices for due diligence, vetting potential partners, and understanding key elements of franchise agreements. The session will also address critical supply chain management issues, such as dealing with shortages, the impacts of tariffs, and strategies for vetting suppliers and distributors. Legal considerations will be thoroughly explored, including security for payments, territory and development schedules, default and termination clauses, and dispute resolution mechanisms. This balanced presentation will offer perspectives from both franchisor and franchisee viewpoints, providing attendees with practical strategies to navigate the intricate landscape of international franchise and supply chain agreements. MSA is proud to sponsor the MUFC. To register for the conference, visit: https://lnkd.in/dienFMd #Franchising #FranchiseUpdate #MUFC #Businessgrowth #Multiunit #Franchise

*Interconnected: The relationship between franchisee recruitment and support* In the world of franchising, two critical elements form the backbone of a successful system: franchisee recruitment and franchisee support. Often viewed as separate, these components are intrinsically linked. They influence and reinforce each other in a symbiotic relationship that can make or break a franchise system’s success. Recruitment and support might seem like sequential steps in the franchising process, but they form a continuous cycle that drives the growth and sustainability of a franchise system. Effective recruitment leads to franchisees who are more likely to succeed with proper support. In turn, well-supported franchisees become brand ambassadors, attracting new potential franchisees and making the recruitment process smooth and effective. For the full article by Andrew Seid, visit:? https://lnkd.in/enpAehNr #Franchising #businessgrowth #franchisee #franchisor

** The Elite Franchise Canada Top 100 2025 is here ** Canada’s definitive league table celebrating franchising excellence is live! Congratulations to all the Top 100 brands that have been ranked this year. ? I am proud to be a judge for the #EF100CA Annual Guide for 2025, which showcases the most dynamic, innovative and successful franchises in Canada. From community contributions, future potential and franchisee support, it's been tough to judge these exceptional brands. ? View the Top 100????https://lnkd.in/egEa9DFN Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, seasoned business owner, or just passionate about franchising, the EF100CA Guide is your ultimate resource. Highlighting top opportunities and offering invaluable insights, this is your go-to for discovering the very best of Canadian franchising. ? #franchising #elitefranchise #FranchiseAwards #awards #CanadianFranchising #EF100CAJudge #MSAWorldwide

** IFA Takeaways: How Smart Franchisors Stay Out of Court ** We appreciate this detailed review from Fox Rothschild about Michael Seid’s panel at the IFA Annual Convention, “Proactive Strategies for Franchisors to Prevent Litigation Risks.” Thanks to the positive reviews received in Las Vegas, MSA Worldwide will repeat this panel at the upcoming International Franchise Association 2025 Legal Symposium in Washington, DC on May 6, expanding the panel discussion to ninety minutes to allow more time for discussion and Q&A about risk mitigation techniques and suggestions for franchisors. To register for the Legal Symposium, visit https://lnkd.in/eDg4nXFc #franchising #IFA #FoxRothschild #businessgrowth #franchisors

** The IFA Convention in Vegas - Awards and opportunities ** The MSA Worldwide Team truly enjoyed participating in the International Franchise Association 2025 Annual Convention last week in Las Vegas. As a team we were awarded the Global Franchise Award for Best Franchise Consultancy for the third time in the last four years. In addition, I was humbled to receive the Global Franchise Hall of Fame Award. These honors reflect our tireless efforts in support of our clients and in the support of the franchise community, which we are very proud to be a part of. The Convention itself was another major success, and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the franchise business model. Matthew Haller and Jennifer Brandeen's impressive team of association professionals created high takehome value and ease of attendance. With several decades of IFA convention experience behind me, this year’s programming and flow was one of the best I have ever experienced. As always I enjoyed catching up with friends I don’t see often enough and meeting new clients – even if it had to be in Vegas. I attended committee meetings, the IFA Board meeting, and did the usual stuff we all do to contribute to the Association. I spoke at the prayer breakfast again this year. Attending the prayer breakfast is always a positive experience, even if it starts before dawn. If you’ve never attended an IFA prayer breakfast, you should plan on coming next year. Besides the camaraderie, it’s the best networking event at any IFA convention. You might also be surprised that everyone who attends receives a dollar! (You'll have to attend to learn why.) Marla Rosner, CFE, MSA’s Senior Learning and Development Consultant and the head of our manuals and training practice, facilitated two Thought Leadership Roundtables on Building Consistent Culture in Franchise Systems. I led a panel on franchise system culture, creating a positive franchise relationship, and avoiding litigation. Don Fox, the ex-CEO of Firehouse Subs and the person who led them to a $1B offering – with zero litigation – provided his guidance on communication and leadership. Brett Lowell, a Partner at DLA Piper, discussed the purpose of the franchise agreement, its limitations as a management tool, and his perspective on avoiding litigation. As the moderator I guided the discussion through the five essentials of franchising - Consistent, Sustainable, Replication, Communication and Culture(sm) - and provided examples from brands people recognize and that we work with. The IFA also trusted me as a Board Member to sherpa about forty members at the Dine Around. Great dinner with some very nice folks, and learned quite a bit. We are looking forward to next year’s IFA convention – again in Vegas! Michael Seid Managing Director, MSA Worldwide #franchising #IFA #globalfranchise #franchisor #businessgrowth

** MSA Worldwide named 2025 “Best Franchise Consultancy” at Global Franchise Awards, the third time in four years ** Since we began our practice in 1987, our goal has always been to provide our clients with the right guidance for their unique brand, to maximize the opportunities and build strong brands that can last the tests of time. We help build and guide franchisors who prioritize consistency, sustainability, replication, communication, and culture. Our experience helps our clients remain steady in turbulent waters and make clear and smart decisions to benefit both their brands and their franchisee networks. We humbly thank the esteemed international panel of Global Franchise Award judges for this award, and look forward to continued success and productive collaboration with new and old friends. Should the need arise, we hope you will give us a call and let us show you why our clients benefit from having MSA Worldwide on their team. Let our experienced consultants provide you with the strategy and tactical support necessary to build a consistent, sustainable, and successful franchise system that you can be proud of. Visit us at https://msaworldwide.com/ or call us at (860) 523-4257. #franchising #businessgrowth #IFA #entrepreneurs #franchisesystem #franchiseconsultant

** Proactive Strategies for Franchisors to Prevent Litigation Risk ** ** February 11 from 1:30 to 2:30 pm at the 2025 IFA Convention ** An essential program for non-lawyers -- CEOs, COOs, HR Executives, Risk Managers, and other Franchisor Business Leaders How can franchise system culture prevent litigation between franchisor and franchisee? And how can you avoid litigation when disputes arise? Join Michael Seid of MSA Worldwide, Don Fox former CEO of Firehouse Subs, and Dave Sager of DLA Piper for this expert panel. In today’s complex franchising environment, the risk of litigation from joint employment, vicarious liability, franchisee recruitment, field support and other challenges can significantly impact a franchise system’s reputation, financial stability, operational effectiveness, and relationship with franchisees. As business leaders, we naturally rely upon our lawyers, our manuals and training developers, and our franchisee recruiters to reduce our risk. But it’s essential that business leaders understand what is required and what they can do to safeguard their organizations from unnecessary legal threats. This panel will address how to: ·????????Understand the common sources of risks in franchising ·????????Implement proactive business measures to minimize legal threats ·????????Create a culture of ethical business decisions ·????????Provide the support franchisees need without creating risk ·????????Ensure that agreements, manuals, policies and documentation minimize misunderstandings – and educate the court when conflicts do occur For more details and to register for the Convention, visit: https://lnkd.in/eij5EfC5 We hope to see you there! #franchising #IFA #franchisor #entrepreneurs #litigation #businessgrowth #jointemployment

** Have You Built An Effective Culture In Your Franchise System? ** In franchising, Culture is King. Beyond the product or service you sell to the consumer, Culture is what sets you apart from your competition. How you establish, support, and protect your brand’s Culture impacts everything from unit sales, to marketing, to how you recruit and support franchisees. Join Andrew Seid, Senior Consultant with MSA Worldwide, for this Thought Leadership Roundtable at the International Franchise Association 2025 Convention in Las Vegas, on Tuesday, February 11th from 3:00pm – 4:30pm PST, Table #30. The convention's Thought Leadership Roundtables feature some of franchising’s top leaders and experts for informal discussions on a wide range of topics critical for keeping your franchise system running profitably in today’s marketplace. We look forward to an enriching roundtable discussion about how we can better establish and support our brands’ Culture. For more details and to register for the IFA Convention, visit: https://lnkd.in/eij5EfC5 We hope to see you there! #franchising #IFA #businessgrowth #franchisor #entrepreneurs

** Proactive Strategies for Franchisors to Prevent Litigation Risk ** How can franchise system culture prevent litigation between franchisor and franchisee? And how can you avoid litigation when disputes arise? Join Michael Seid of MSA Worldwide, Don Fox former CEO of Firehouse Subs, and Dave Sager of DLA Piper for this expert panel on February 11 from 1:30 to 2:30 pm at the 2025 International Franchise Association Convention. ** This panel is an essential program for non-lawyers -- CEOs, COOs, HR Executives, Risk Managers, and other Franchisor Business Leaders. ** In today’s complex franchising environment, the risk of litigation from joint employment, vicarious liability, franchisee recruitment, field support and other challenges can significantly impact a franchise system’s reputation, financial stability, operational effectiveness, and relationship with franchisees. As business leaders, we naturally rely upon our lawyers, our manuals and training developers, and our franchisee recruiters to reduce our risk. But it’s essential that business leaders understand what is required and what they can do to safeguard their organizations from unnecessary legal threats. This panel will address how to: ·????????Understand the common sources of risks in franchising ·????????Implement proactive business measures to minimize legal threats ·????????Create a culture of ethical business decisions ·????????Provide the support franchisees need without creating risk ·????????Ensure that agreements, manuals, policies and documentation minimize misunderstandings – and educate the court when conflicts do occur For more details and to register for the Convention, visit: https://lnkd.in/eij5EfC5 We hope to see you there! #franchising #IFA #franchisor #entrepreneurs #litigation #businessgrowth #jointemployment