In late March, I had the pleasure of attending the Multi-Unit Franchising Conference (MUFC) in Las Vegas. I find franchising summits invaluable for staying ahead of legal and operational trends in the industry and connecting with NY franchisees and multi-unit operators.
I was genuinely inspired by keynote sessions from Daymond John, founder of FUBU and “Shark Tank” investor, and Mike Walsh, CEO of Tomorrow and a leading futurist. Each speaker delivered powerful takeaways that deeply resonated with me—not just professionally, but personally.
Daymond John: Embracing the Hustle and the “Power of Broke”
Daymond John’s story of grit, hustle, and brand-building is already well known, but hearing it live brought new dimensions to his journey. He kicked off the conference by delving into “the power of broke”—a concept that flips scarcity into motivation. The embodiment of a New York bootstrapper, he built a brand out of street art back when it was still referred to as “graffiti.” For franchisees operating on lean budgets, that mindset is not just inspiring—it’s essential.
What struck me most was his message about discipline and clarity. As a lawyer, I often help clients establish structure. But the Shark reminded me that success also hinges on internal structure—the habits, beliefs, and discipline that guide decision-making every day. He spoke like someone who’s been in the trenches, and his insights apply across the board—from startup franchisees to seasoned operators navigating growth challenges.
Mike Walsh: Reimagining Leadership in the Age of AI
Mike Walsh’s keynote provided in a futuristic direction, but it was equally practical. He unpacked the seismic shifts AI is causing in how we work, lead, and serve customers. Rather than presenting AI as a threat, he framed it as an opportunity for reinvention.
One key takeaway was that AI will not replace anyone’s jobs but will reshape how tasks are performed. Franchisees and multi-unit operators should (quickly) overcome the fear and tap into its potential. There are processes you can automate and dashboards available to help with tasks like number-crunching. Seek them out, demo them and try one – the money you spend will save you time to allow for more strategizing and improving your operations.
Walsh also shared insights on staffing in this new era. He urged franchisees to recognize untapped talent—particularly younger employees who might question traditional approaches or suggest faster methods for achieving results. While hiring such individuals might challenge conventional philosophies about franchising or ingenuity, their fresh perspectives could become assets as you expand your portfolio or manage multi-brand operations. These candidates might be diamonds in the rough—future leaders who can help scale your business effectively.
In a profession that leans heavily on precedent, Walsh’s vision called for a pivot—one that embraces innovation and helps franchise clients future-proof their operations.
Leaving Las Vegas, Reenergized
Both keynotes delivered on their promise to inform and inspire, as did the panel sessions. Furthermore, the conversations in the hallway were extremely valuable – it’s always refreshing to speak the language of franchising among franchisors, franchisees and multi-unit operators. The frank dialogues about resales and considerations for new development has also inspired the next Insights installment.
MUFC 2025 reminded me why I love advising multi-unit and multi-brand operators as well as emerging franchisors. At its best, franchising is about transformation—and as professionals, we should be too. I learned a lot and made so many great connections that I have already blocked out the end of March 2026 for the next MUFC.
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