Event: Franchise Initiative Conference

• Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026
• 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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