Each year, Franchise FastLane’s Victory Lap Summit (VLS) brings together franchise consultants, emerging brands, industry leaders, and strategic partners for a few days of education, collaboration, and relationship-building.
This year’s event delivered valuable insights into the future of franchising while creating a fun, action-packed two days that offered attendees opportunities to connect with the people and brands leading the industry. Attendees also got an inside look at FasTcheck, Franchise FastLane’s newest innovation.
Industry Insights From Franchise Leadership
The educational sessions kicked off with a keynote presentation from Matt Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association (IFA). During his presentation, Haller discussed the importance of the IFA’s Franchise Means Local initiative, which aims to reshape public perception by highlighting the local entrepreneurs behind franchise brands. He emphasized that franchising is often misunderstood as “big business” when, in reality, franchise owners are small business owners who create jobs, invest in their communities, and support local economies.
Another key theme throughout the event was the economic impact of franchising and the opportunities it creates for aspiring business owners. Franchising allows entrepreneurs to step into business ownership without having to start from scratch, providing them with established systems, support, and a network that helps them succeed without having to navigate the journey alone.
Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from Haller during a fireside chat with Franchise FastLane CDO Don Tarinelli, in which the two discussed franchise development, industry opportunities, and how successful brands are positioning themselves for long-term growth.
Franchisees Share Real-World Perspectives
One of the most anticipated events was the franchisee panels, offering inspiring success stories and hands-on insights from franchise owners within FastLane brands.
Hosted by Carey Gille, Founder of Franchise FastLane and board member, Franchise Enthusiast/PE/Keynote Speaker/Multi-Unit Franchisee/Business Owner, the first panel featured franchisees from Joshua Tree, Property Sellwise, and Bar-B-Clean. Panelists discussed their experiences as franchise owners, lessons learned, and the elements that contributed to their success.
A second franchisee panel, hosted by Senior Vice President of Franchise Development TJ Kissane, featured franchisees from SPENGA, Sourdough & Co., and Cabinet IQ. The conversation illustrated the value of strong franchisor support, operational systems, and the importance of finding the right franchise opportunity.
Showcasing Innovation Across the FastLane Network
VLS also served as a stage for showcasing innovation and advancement across the Franchise FastLane ecosystem.
The event also featured the launch of FasTcheck, an innovative platform designed to modernize the territory review process. Representing the future of franchising, FasTcheck preserves the human element of territory analysis while leveraging technology to save industry professionals hours of work and provide greater confidence throughout the process.
FasTcheck represents the future of franchising. While preserving the human element of territory checks, it saves industry professionals hours of work and provides peace of mind
“Consultants are raving and super excited about this new program, and we cannot wait for Victory Lap 2027 next year,” said TJ Kissane, Sr. Vice President of Franchise Development.
Following the launch, attendees heard from Andrew Brooks, founder of Contextual.io and a recent SXSW speaker, who shared practical strategies for integrating AI into their businesses. Rather than delivering a sales pitch, Brooks focused on actionable takeaways that consultants could implement immediately to improve efficiency, strengthen their workflows, and better serve franchise candidates.
In addition to educational sessions and panels, VLS provided dedicated time for consultants to engage with the entire Franchise FastLane portfolio. These brand showcases gave attendees the opportunity to connect directly with founders and leadership teams while learning more about the concepts driving growth across the network.
The event also featured the exclusive introduction of WetFuel, giving attending consultants a first look at the emerging brand. By meeting the founder, exploring the equipment, and experiencing the concept firsthand, attendees gained a deeper understanding of the opportunity before its official launch.
Bringing Franchise Brands to Life
Beyond presentations and panels, attendees had the opportunity to experience several FastLane brands firsthand.
Cascadia’s food truck was on site serving its signature pizza, while Wet Fuel, Property Sellwise, and Joshua Tree showcased their businesses through branded vehicles and equipment displays. These interactive experiences gave attendees a better understanding of the products and services, as well as the customer experiences each brand delivers in the marketplace.
Check out our YouTube to get the inside experience, click here!
Building Relationships Beyond the Meeting Room
While education remains a key component of VLS, relationship-building is what makes the event truly unique. Attendees connected beyond the meeting room through experiences like wine-and-mine tours, UTV excursions, horseback riding, fly fishing, golf, and spa treatments, creating meaningful conversations and strengthening relationships across the franchise community.
The event was also made possible through the support of valued partners Benetrends and FranFund, whose presentations provided attendees with valuable financing insights and resources for both franchise candidates and growing brands. We’d like to extend a special thank you to Anthony Byrd of Benetrends and Sherri Sieber of FranFund for sharing their expertise and helping make VLS a valuable experience for everyone in attendance.
Looking Ahead
VLS creates ongoing opportunities for:
- Franchise leaders to share insights and growth strategies
- Consultants to strengthen relationships and discover new brands
- Franchisees to exchange experiences and best practices
- Industry partners to connect with key decision-makers and support brand growth
As Franchise FastLane continues to connect great brands with great franchise owners, events like VLS help foster the collaboration and innovation that move the industry forward. Providing attendees with early access to brands, exclusive tech reveals, access to zees & zors, outside speakers & training, and of course, fun and memorable experiences.
Interested in learning more about the brands and opportunities within the Franchise FastLane portfolio? Contact our team today.
FAQs
What is VLS?
VLS, or Victory Lap Summit, is Franchise FastLane’s annual event that brings together franchise consultants, franchise leaders, and industry partners for education, networking, and collaboration.
Who attends the Victory Lap Summit?
VLS is an invitation-only event exclusively for Franchise FastLane’s top-performing franchise consultants. Consultants qualify based on their contributions throughout the year, making the summit both a celebration and a thank-you for the support they provide and the candidates they introduce to Franchise FastLane brands. As a token of appreciation, Franchise FastLane hosts the event as an all-inclusive experience, allowing attendees to focus on building relationships, learning, and celebrating together.
What makes VLS different from other franchise events?
Unlike traditional franchise conferences, VLS is a highly curated event reserved for top-performing consultants who have earned their invitation through their contributions to the franchise industry. By bringing together accomplished professionals from across the consultant networks Franchise FastLane partners with, VLS creates an environment where attendees can exchange ideas, build lasting relationships, and discover new opportunities alongside some of the industry’s most respected leaders.
Why are franchisee panels an important part of VLS?
Franchisee panels give consultants a unique opportunity to hear directly from the people living the franchise experience every day. These candid conversations provide authentic validation that consultants don’t typically get to witness, offering valuable insight into the franchisee journey, the level of franchisor support, and how each brand operates beyond what’s presented in marketing materials or disclosure documents. This firsthand perspective helps consultants better understand the opportunity and confidently match candidates with the right brands.