The Franchise Game Empowers Entrepreneurs

The Franchise Game, an organization dedicated to empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs, recently hosted its highly anticipated third annual summit on August 15th at Yum! Brands’ headquarters in Frisco, Texas. The standing-room-only event brought together a powerful mix of powerhouse franchisees, financial leaders, brand executives, and aspiring owners for a day focused on education, inspiration, and deal-making, with a special emphasis on untapped markets and high-growth communities.

Breaking Barriers to Franchise Ownership

Launched in 2023, The Franchise Game aims to close the wealth gap through business ownership by providing crucial knowledge, resources, and connections. Co-founders Tarji Carter, Dessie Brown Jr., and Daylon A. Goff, whose collective experience spans decades in strategic development, marketing, and entrepreneurial growth, designed the event to demystify the franchise industry and offer tangible pathways to capital, mentorship, and ownership.

“We created The Franchise Game to close the wealth gap through business ownership,” said Carter. “This event is about access, real game-changing connections, resources, and conversations that put underrepresented communities in a position to win.”

Key Highlights and Honorees

The summit featured a range of engaging sessions, including “The Franchise Life: Unfiltered,” where franchisees from brands like Dunkin’, Baskin-Robbins, Mosquito Joe, and Elements Massage shared candid insights. The event also honored Roland Parrish, a McDonald’s owner-operator and business leader, with the Franchise Impact Award for his outstanding leadership and commitment to creating opportunities in franchising.

Powerhouse franchisees Coleen and Kirk Jeter offered valuable lessons on scaling businesses with intention, achieving operational excellence, and fostering true partnerships. A strategic partnerships session included voices from the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, IFA, City of Duncanville, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Shipley Do-Nuts, fostering collaboration and growth.

Marketing, Legal, and Networking Opportunities

Attendees also gained marketing insights from Creative Velocity on harnessing authentic branding to drive revenue, and legal and financial advice from Clark Hill on navigating franchise law and minimizing risk. The event culminated in an immersive networking experience in the Trade Show Pavilion, where participants connected directly with franchise development representatives from leading brands such as Smoothie King and The Original Hot Dog Factory.

“Our goal is to take the mystery out of franchising and build a pipeline of multi-unit owners from underserved communities,” stated Goff. “Franchising is often a hidden path to wealth; we’re putting it front and center.”

The event closed with co-founder Dessie Brown Jr. motivating attendees to stay connected, take bold steps, and “play the game to own the team.” For those interested in future events and sponsorship opportunities, information is available at franchisegamechanger.com.