Building on Excellence: We Sell Restaurants 2025 Franchise Conference

This week, franchise partners from across the United States convened at the luxurious Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Palm Coast, Florida, for the We Sell Restaurants 2025 Annual Franchise Conference. This AAA Four-Diamond resort, set against the backdrop of the Atlantic coastline, provided an inspiring setting with its blend of relaxed luxury and world-class amenities. Attendees enjoyed access to two championship golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, a rejuvenating full-service spa, and a 91,000-square-foot water park featuring a lazy river and multi-level pools. The resort’s sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere set the perfect tone for a conference focused on collaboration, growth, and innovation.

A Warm Welcome: The Founders' Reception

The We Sell Restaurants conference kicked off with a lively Founders' Reception, fostering a sense of unity and excitement among attendees. The event was elevated by the presence of David Humphrey, Immediate Past Chair of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and Vice Chair of Ignite Fitness Holdings. Humphrey, whose illustrious career includes serving as CEO of Massage Envy Spa and holding leadership roles across various franchise systems, will deliver his insights on scaling franchise operations in a main stage fireside chat with Eric Gagnon, President of We Sell Restaurants.

Humphrey serves on the Board of Advisors for We Sell Restaurants and his tenure and insights in balancing innovation with proven systems provides valuable learnings that resonate with the franchise team from leadership to individual practice. His remarks set a forward-thinking tone for the conference.

Embracing the Theme: Building on the Best

The 2025 conference theme, Building on the Best, clarifies the We Sell Restaurants commitment to continuous improvement and leadership in the restaurant brokerage industry. This philosophy is woven into every aspect of the brand’s operations and was a central focus of the conference. The theme emphasizes three core pillars:

• Optimizing Proven Systems: Refining the proprietary tools and processes that have fueled the brand’s success, such as advanced CRM platforms and streamlined transaction workflows.
• Scaling Success Stories: Identifying and replicating the strategies of top-performing franchisees to elevate performance across the network.
• Driving Innovation: Encouraging franchisees to adopt creative approaches to meet the evolving needs of restaurant buyers and sellers in a dynamic market.

These pillars were explored through a series of presentations, workshops, and discussions, providing franchisees with actionable strategies to enhance their businesses.

State of the Franchise: A Year of Remarkable Growth

The State of the Franchise session offered a comprehensive overview of We Sell Restaurants’ performance and strategic vision. Key highlights included:

• Robust Growth Metrics: The company reported a 67% year-over-year increase in restaurant transactions for Q1 2025, far surpassing industry benchmarks. This growth underscores the brand’s resilience and adaptability in a competitive market.
• Technological Innovation: The introduction of a new AI-driven analytics tool was a major announcement. This platform enables franchisees to analyze market trends, predict transaction outcomes, and personalize client interactions, enhancing both efficiency and client satisfaction.
• Strategic Expansion Plans: Leadership outlined initiatives to penetrate new markets, including targeted campaigns to increase brand visibility in underserved regions. Additionally, enhanced training programs and marketing support were introduced to empower franchisees in achieving their growth objectives.

Conference Highlights: Learning, Networking, and Team Building

The conference agenda was thoughtfully curated to provide franchisees with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to thrive. Key activities included:

• Keynote Presentations: Industry luminaries shared insights on emerging trends in restaurant brokerage, such as the rise of virtual kitchens and the impact of sustainability on restaurant valuations. A standout session featured a panel of veteran franchisees who shared their journeys and best practices for navigating complex transactions.
• Interactive Workshops: Hands-on sessions covered topics such as leveraging digital marketing to attract clients, optimizing sales funnels, and mastering negotiation techniques. These workshops were tailored to address the unique challenges of restaurant brokerage, equipping attendees with practical tools to implement in their markets.
• Team-Building Activities: To strengthen camaraderie, franchisees participated in group activities, including a beachside scavenger hunt and a golf tournament on the resort’s Jack Nicklaus-designed Ocean Course. These events fostered collaboration and reinforced the tight-knit community within the We Sell Restaurants network.
• Networking Opportunities: Structured networking events, such as a sunset cocktail reception and a franchisee roundtable, allowed attendees to exchange ideas, share success stories, and forge partnerships. These connections are invaluable for franchisees seeking to expand their referral networks and learn from their peers.

Strengthening Brand Partnerships in Franchise Resales

One of the most highly anticipated sessions of the 2025 We Sell Restaurants Franchise Conference was led by Dave McDougall, Vice President of Franchise Relationships for the brand. In this segment, Dave facilitated a powerful discussion with leaders from Firehouse Subs, one of the nation’s most recognizable fast-casual restaurant brands. The session highlighted how strong partnerships between franchisors and brokers are reshaping the future of franchise resales.

Firehouse Subs brought a powerhouse team to the table, including:

• Abhi Patro, Director of Franchise and Head of Resales
• Connor Darrow, Analyst, Franchise Resales
  
  

This interactive session gave franchisees a behind-the-scenes view of how a national brand approaches growth, transitions, and franchisee recruitment.

The discussion covered several key areas:

• What is Firehouse Subs’ Growth Strategy?
• How do brands like Firehouse Subs and We Sell Restaurants best partner to achieve successful franchise resales? 
• What does Firehouse look for in potential franchisees? 
• What does the process look like for buying a restaurant? 
• What you’re looking for in a successful broker? 
• Are there common pitfalls brokers and sellers should avoid?
  
  

This session reaffirmed the essential role Certified Restaurant Brokers play in helping franchisors manage ownership transitions efficiently and in a way that protects the brand. With resales becoming a bigger piece of the franchise lifecycle, brands like Firehouse Subs are investing in partnerships that ensure smooth, well-documented, and timely deals.

We Sell Restaurants continues to stand out as a resale partner of choice, trusted not just by sellers and buyers, but by national franchise brands seeking a more effective way to manage unit transfers. This session exemplified the collaborative spirit of the conference and the strategic direction of the brand as it continues building on the best.

Continuous Improvement in Technology

Greg Cory, Chief Technology Officer and board member for We Sell Restaurants, took the stage to unveil a slate of upcoming technology enhancements designed to elevate both the buyer and seller experience across the brand. In a brokerage model built on responsiveness and trust, these improvements aim to streamline internal operations while preserving the high-touch service that clients expect.

At the heart of these updates is the strategic integration of artificial intelligence to support franchisees behind the scenes. Cory emphasized that AI won’t replace human interaction—it will enhance it. By automating time-consuming administrative and back-office functions, franchisees will gain more capacity to focus on high-value, client-facing activity: building relationships, closing deals, and guiding transactions from offer to close. This shift is expected to improve speed, accuracy, and overall productivity across the system.

One of the most exciting initiatives revealed was a brand-wide push to grow video impressions as a core element of both buyer engagement and franchisee marketing. Leveraging AI-assisted scripting, automated editing workflows, and curated listing videos, the brand is poised to significantly expand its digital footprint. The focus is on visibility, storytelling, and accelerating discovery—ensuring that listings receive the attention they deserve in a crowded online marketplace.

CEO Robin Gagnon reinforced the company’s commitment to innovation that serves people – not the other way around. “Every upgrade we deploy,” she says, “is designed to make our brokers more efficient, our clients better informed, and our experience more accessible. We’re not using technology for technology’s sake. We’re using it to create meaningful, measurable outcomes.”

The We Sell Restaurants Advantage: A Franchise Opportunity Like No Other

For entrepreneurs considering a career in restaurant brokerage, We Sell Restaurants offers a compelling franchise opportunity defined by:

• Niche Expertise: As the only national franchise focused exclusively on restaurant transactions, We Sell Restaurants provides unparalleled industry knowledge and a specialized approach that sets it apart from general business brokerages.
• Proven Business Model: The brand’s scalable systems, comprehensive training, and ongoing support enable franchisees to build thriving businesses. Franchisees benefit from a robust technology suite, national marketing campaigns, and a dedicated support team.
• Lifestyle Flexibility: The franchise model offers professional fulfillment with the potential for work-life balance. Franchisees can operate their businesses with flexible schedules, making it an attractive option for those seeking both career success and personal freedom.

Join the We Sell Restaurants Network

The 2025 Franchise Conference underscored We Sell Restaurants’ position as a leader in the restaurant brokerage industry, driven by a commitment to excellence and a passion for helping franchisees succeed. For those inspired to join this dynamic and growing network, We Sell Restaurants offers a pathway to a rewarding career in a specialized and high-demand field. One of the newest franchisees to attend the conference sent this follow up text, “I’ve been to a TON of corporate conferences, and this was one of the most impactful and actually had an enormous amount of takeaways for what we do.” He continued, writing, “For entrepreneurs like myself, it really means a lot about the passion and care WSR puts into their franchisees success and struggles and actually listening.”

To explore franchise opportunities and learn more about the We Sell Restaurants difference, visit wesellrestaurants.com/franchise