The History of IFA’s Regional Programs
In early 1991, Fred DeLuca, founder of Subway
Sandwiches and Salads, developed the International Franchise Association
(IFA) 2nd Tuesday program. The purpose of the program was to create an
informal atmosphere whereby franchisors and suppliers could discuss
current topics related to franchising. IFA coordinated this effort by
soliciting IFA and Supplier Forum members to host the meetings in major
cities across the United States.
IFA's Franchise Business Network (FBN)
commenced October 1996. The FBN meetings were grassroots networking
opportunities for the franchise community. They were designed to bring
local franchisors, franchisees and suppliers together on a regular basis
to create business-to-business opportunities and offer affordable
educational programs.
Today’s FBN Program
Today, IFA’s FBN is the combination of IFA’s
two regional programs, the 2nd Tuesday Program and the original FBN
Program. The IFA Board of Directors voted at its Fall 2000 meeting to
combine the 2nd Tuesday Program and Franchise Business Network Program
into one single program meeting in 30+ cities around the country. The
new program would take the best features of both programs and combine
them into one winning formula for success.
For the most part, meetings are still scheduled
(though it is not imperative) for the second Tuesday of each quarter
across the U.S. While networking with others in the franchise
community, meeting potential customers and making new business contacts,
participants take advantage of educational programs and legislative
information made available to them at no charge, except for the cost of
meals.
IFA continues to suggest topics and issues of
current importance for the hosts to discuss. This enables each host to
conduct the meeting under his/her own auspices, while at the same time,
encouraging a universal theme for that particular meeting.
Current FBN Sites:
Atlanta, GA l Baltimore, MD l Boston, MA l Chicago, IL l Cincinnati,
OH, l Cleveland, OH l Columbus, OH l Dallas, TX l Denver, CO l Detroit,
MI l Houston, TX l Kansas City, MO l Los Angeles, CA l Louisiana l
Mid-South (AL, TN, MS) l Minneapolis, MNl New Jersey l New York, NY l
North Carolina l Oklahoma l Orange County, CA l Orlando, FL l
Philadelphia, PA l Phoenix, AZ l Pittsburgh, PA l Portland, OR l
Sacramento, CA l Salt Lake City, UT l San Diego, CA l Seattle, WA l
South Carolina l South Florida l Tampa, FL l Washington, D.C. l
Wisconsin
Current FBN Sites and Host Contact Info
If you are interested in attending or
hosting Franchise Business Network meeting, please contact IFA’s
Director of Development and Member Services, Paul Rocchio, at 
(202) 662-0790; procchio@franchise.org.
