If you’ve ever wanted to blend powerful business insights with a dash of espresso and a whole lot of energy, the Multi-Unit Franchising Conference (MUFC) in Las Vegas was the place to be! Caesars Forum was buzzing with over 2,300 attendees—franchisees, franchisors, suppliers, and entrepreneurs—all gathered to share ideas, explore emerging concepts, and talk about what’s next for our dynamic industry.
Let’s just say: the future is Bright®…and possibly caffeinated.
A Tale of Two Keynotes: Inspiration and Innovation
We kicked things off with a keynote from none other than Daymond John, and wow—what a story. The FUBU founder and Shark Tank legend took us through his gritty journey to the top. No silver spoons here. Just passion, hustle, and a love for music that fueled his relentless drive. He reminded us that grit + vision = results, and we left the session ready to take on the world—or at least our next meeting.
Then came Mike Walsh, the resident futurist and big-brain thinker who had us reimagining work itself. He challenged us to stop "doing work" and start designing work. Say goodbye to the App World and hello to the Agent World—where AI and human collaboration reshape how we lead and solve problems. He encouraged us to partner with younger generations and embrace uncertainty like it’s the newest TikTok trend. (Spoiler: the kids are already on it.)
Coffee & Conversations at Booth #1920
Of course, no conference is complete without a visit to the best booth on the floor—ours! The Human Bean proudly held down Booth #1920, serving up chocolate-covered espresso beans and conversations that were just as energizing. We met with dozens of prospective franchise partners who are looking to add The Human Bean to their portfolio of powerhouse brands—and we loved every minute of it.
Breakout Star: Our Own Alex Karcher
One of the standout moments for us was attending the breakout session “Building Bench Strength to Support Infrastructure to Grow.” The panel featured none other than our very own franchise partner, Alex Karcher. Alex’s family knows a thing or two (or five) about franchising—they operate brands like Carl’s Jr., Dave’s Hot Chicken, Jersey Mike’s, Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, and (cue the applause) The Human Bean. His insights on leadership and scalability were thoughtful, practical, and just plain impressive.
Big News: MUFC + IFA = Even Bigger Things
In a major industry move, we learned that MUFC will be merging under the IFA (International Franchise Association) umbrella. What does that mean? Bigger events, expanded media reach, and even more opportunities to connect with leaders across franchising. We’re excited to see how this partnership evolves—and what it means for the future of conferences like MUFC.
Pickleball, Pets & Poultry (Oh My!)
It wouldn’t be a franchise event without some fun new concepts hitting the scene. We saw exciting developments in the world of pickleball, pet grooming, and a slew of sub and chicken shops. There’s a lot of innovation bubbling across the industry—but we’re proud to say that The Human Bean continues to stand out with a purpose-driven model and a loyal following of bean lovers.
MUFC 2025 was one for the books, and we left Vegas with full hearts, buzzing minds, and just enough caffeine to get us through the airport security line.
Until next time—cheers to growth, good conversations, and great coffee.
— By Janie Page, CMO & Angela Beeks, Director of Franchise Sales