Women of IHOP Learn Business Expansion Alternatives at WFDF Conference

The Women's Franchise and Distribution Forum (WFDF), an board representing academia, professional business organizations and various segments of business relating to franchising, reported that its initial “Boot Camp" for Growth has exceeded expectations.

Held recently in Orlando, Fla., the female franchisees and managers attending this event walked away with valuable knowledge and new skills designed to improve operations and management of their franchises.

The “Boot Camp” is one tactic the WFDF uses to fulfill its mission to promote women’s participation in Franchising by providing education, training and networking opportunities for the exchange of ideas, resources and experiences.

At the event, board members from WFDF provided educational outreach to 17 female franchise owners and developers of IHOP Restaurants. Chairman of the WFDF board, Joyce Mazero, provided insight on how the Boot Camp gives women the knowledge and information they need to succeed in owning their own franchise.

“We were able to provide valuable business information no one else has made available to women in franchising,” said Mazero. “The Boot Camp is a hard skills-oriented program which arms entrepreneurial women with personal, financial and operational information to help them become better multi-unit or single unit franchisees.”

In addition to the formal teaching, Boot Camp participants shared best practices with their peers. The curriculum, when combined with the networking and sharing, provided attendees a practical roadmap for identifying and preventing potential problems before they develop.

“The Boot Camp content and exchange of ideas was outstanding,” stated Julia Stewart, President and CEO, IHOP Corp. “The WFDF has designed a program that benefits both franchisors and franchisees.”

IHOP Corp. served as host for this first-time event, occurring immediately prior to the company’s National Franchise Conference.

“All year long the WFDF board worked tirelessly, investing considerable time, money and effort to build a set of workbooks and other tools for women in franchising,” added Mazero. “The positive feedback we have received is a clear indication that this product and these topics are filling an unmet need in the franchise community.”