---
title: "VIDEO: Previewing the Franchise Leadership Development Conference"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/38dc1711-4104-4e25-a09f-ede36c1b2b1f
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/articles/20260908_video_previewing_the_franchise_leadership_development_conference.html
author: "Kevin Behan"
category: "Franchise Industry"
industry: "Franchise Industry"
topics: ["People"]
published: 2026-09-08T09:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T14:43:23.076Z
image: https://imgs.franchising.com/art/articles/10800_plate.jpg
---

# VIDEO: Previewing the Franchise Leadership Development Conference

**TL;DR:** The 2026 Franchise Leadership & Development Conference will be held October 5-8 at the InterContinental Buckhead in Atlanta, offering a platform for C-suite franchisor leaders to exchange ideas and drive growth. The conference will cover the complete franchise development lifecycle, featuring dozens of speakers and interactive workshops.

*By Kevin Behan, originally published in Franchising.com on 2026-09-08. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/articles/20260908_video_previewing_the_franchise_leadership_development_conference.html).*

## Story

The 2026 Franchise Leadership & Development Conference (FLDC) is just one month away. It will be held October 5-8 at the InterContinental Buckhead in Atlanta and will be one of the most impactful events in franchising this year. Franchise Update Media and the International Franchise Association (IFA) have created a must-attend event for C-suite franchisor leaders, including CEOs, COOs, CDOs, and franchise development executives.

For more than a quarter of a century, this premier conference has been the place where franchise brands gather to exchange ideas, strengthen leadership, and drive scalable growth. The FLDC offers a unique environment to sharpen your leadership edge, grow your team’s potential, and walk away with proven tools and strategies that deliver real results. With dozens of speakers, more than 30 interactive workshops and sessions, and hundreds of development professionals in attendance, the conference offers unmatched opportunities to learn, connect, and grow.

For the first time, this year’s conference will cover the complete franchise development lifecycle — from the moment a prospect fills out a form to the day they flip on the lights at their new location. That means the strategies, data, and conversations that make every stage work better: recruitment and sales, real estate and site selection, construction and build-out, onboarding and opening, and everything in between. Franchise Update interviewed several franchise development executives about their experience attending the FLDC and what they would tell their peers about the conference.

Each talked about learning the latest strategies in franchise development and the opportunity to network with other franchise executives to share valuable thoughts and recommendations. In the “Development Dish” video above, you’ll hear from: James Franks, chief franchise officer, Unleashed Brands Sharlene Smith, chief operating officer, Zaxby’s Mike Cline, chief development officer, Alliance Franchise Brands Whether you're leading a legacy brand or scaling a fast-growing concept, the FLDC is where strategic growth begins. It’s an investment in your future, your brand, and your people.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- General (sector)
- franchise development (topic)
- Kevin Behan (person)
- Zaxby's (company)
- Unleashed Brands (company)
- Alliance Franchise Brands (company)
- Franchise Update Media (publication)
- industry event (topic)
- growth strategies (topic)
- Mike Cline (person)
- James Franks (person)

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Originally reported by Kevin Behan, Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/articles/20260908_video_previewing_the_franchise_leadership_development_conference.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/38dc1711-4104-4e25-a09f-ede36c1b2b1f).