Event: Franchise Initiative Conference

  • Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026
  • 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Bill J. Priest Center

Please join the Dallas College Small Business Launch Pad for this regional gathering, designed to stimulate economic mobility, strengthen talent pipelines and expand business ownership in the franchise space across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. 

This high-impact event bridges the gaps between business education, employment infrastructure, 
and capital deployment by uniting franchise entrepreneurs, national brands, educational leaders, 
and public-sector workforce advocates.

Event Highlights:

  • General Sessions: Expanding the DFW franchise ecosystem, optimizing workforce
    recruitment and building direct academic talent pipelines
  • Keynote Luncheon: A featured Fireside Chat with Dallas workforce czar Lynn McBee
    and Laura Ward (president/CEO, Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas)
  • CEO Talk: Mina Haque, Esq., discusses Tony Roma’s 2.0 strategy, Tony Roma’s Dallas
    roots and how Tony Roma’s is creating pathways for women entrepreneurship through its
    franchise system.
  • Matchmaking Session: Connecting vetted startup concepts directly with active investors
    and financial institutions
  • Community
  • Seminars and Speakers

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Updated July 23, 2026