See why franchise brands are flocking to SKIP Summit 2026 for unforgettable evening events and an exclusive 2:1 advisor experience at Wrigley Field.
Every franchise brand knows the feeling. Too many events, too little time and not enough proof any of them actually move the needle. Conference badges pile up. Follow-up emails go unanswered. And somewhere between the keynote and the cocktail hour, you're left wondering if you just spent thousands on a really nice hotel breakfast.
That's not what SKIP Summit is about.
SKIP Summit, Franchise Sidekick's flagship event, is built around the simple idea that the best growth for a franchise brand comes from the right relationships with the right advisors who bring the right franchise owners to the table.
This year's Summit runs October 13-15 in Chicago, and it's shaping up to be the most relationship-driven event yet.
Key takeaways
- Franchise brands attend for direct access to Sidekick Advisors, structured and organic networking and evening events built for real relationship-building, not just handshakes and business cards.
- The Exclusive Advisor Experience at Wrigley Field is the only franchise advisor networking event with a 2:1 attendee-to-advisor ratio, capped at 60 attendees for maximum face time.
- Compared to other major franchise events, the IFA Annual Convention, the Multi-Unit Franchising Conference and others — SKIP Summit is smaller, more intimate and built specifically around advisor-brand relationships rather than broad industry education.
- Attending the right events matters more than ever as the franchise industry grows and competition for brands trying to reach qualified franchise buyers increases.
Why is attending franchise events valuable for brands?
The franchise industry is projected to reach approximately 845,000 establishments in the U.S. in 2026, up 1.5% from 2025. And the economic output is expected to top $920 billion according to a 2026 forecast produced by FRANdata in partnership with the International Franchise Association. Franchise employment is also climbing, with nearly 8.9 million jobs projected and more than 156,000 net new jobs expected in 2026.
That's exciting growth. But it also means more franchise brands than ever are competing for a limited pool of qualified franchise owners. Franchisors are increasingly focused on recruiting qualified operators rather than expanding at all costs, which means volume events that generate a stack of business cards matter less than events that generate real, qualified conversations.
That's exactly what SKIP Summit was created to do.
Sidekick Advisors work directly with people actively researching how to buy a franchise, comparing the cost to buy a franchise against their savings and asking hard questions about franchise disclosure documents before they ever sign. Brands who show up at Summit are building relationships with the advisors already guiding serious buyers through that exact decision.
What can brands expect at SKIP Summit 2026?
SKIP Summit 2026's theme, "It's Showtime," runs through everything – the design, the energy and the way each night is built to feel like a movie moment. But underneath the cinematic theme is a very intentional agenda offering general sessions, breakout workshops, sponsor presentations and – most importantly for brands – advisor networking opportunities that are actually designed to work.
The Summit opens Tuesday evening with The Premiere Party, a welcome reception on Navy Pier's Offshore Rooftop inspired by award season glamour. It's the kind of arrival moment meant to spark real conversation from minute one. Then Wednesday evening steps things up with a night at the Field Museum, a black-tie evening featuring the Great Scott Awards and the Sidekick Sing-Off Spectacular.
For franchise brands, this isn't just a party, it's hours of unstructured time in a room full of the advisors and industry leaders who influence where franchise buyers end up. Main stage programming this year is also shifting away from a keynote-heavy format toward more integrated, experience-driven content, keeping the focus on connection.
What is the Exclusive Advisor Experience at Wrigley Field?
If there's one experience brands are talking about most, it's this one.
On Thursday afternoon, a limited group of just 60 attendees will step into an afternoon at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. The experience includes private access to the Maker's Mark Barrel Room, a behind-the-scenes stadium tour, time in the batting cages, a meet-and-greet with an iconic Cubs guest and Cubs swag to take home.
But the real value is the ratio.
This is the only franchise advisor networking event in the industry with a 2:1 attendee-to-advisor ratio, meaning for every two people in the room, there's a Sidekick Advisor to talk to. No fighting for five minutes at a crowded booth. No hoping an advisor remembers your brand after talking to fifty others that day. Just real, unhurried conversations with the people who work directly with franchise buyers every single day.
For franchise brands, that's the entire point of showing up. Advisors are the ones fielding questions from prospective owners about financial performance representations, walking people through what it actually costs to buy a franchise and helping match serious buyers to the right opportunity.
Capacity is capped at 60 tickets (with less than half remaining). Brands interested in attending the Exclusive Advisor Experience should register today to secure their spot.
How does SKIP Summit compare to other franchise events?
Franchise brands have plenty of events competing for their calendar in any given year, so it's worth understanding where SKIP Summit fits.
IFA Annual Convention
This is the industry's largest gathering with thousands of franchise professionals, supplier partners and consultants converging. This year, the convention brought together more than 500 brands and 300 exhibiting partners under the theme "Evolve." It's an incredible resource for macro industry trends, policy updates and broad networking, but with a crowd that size, one-on-one time with any single advisor or partner is limited by design.
Multi-Unit Franchising Conference
This event focuses more narrowly on multi-unit, multi-brand owners and operators, franchisors and vetted suppliers sharing insights and best practices. It's a strong fit for brands targeting experienced, multi-unit operators specifically.
SCALE by IFA
The Franchise Growth & Capital Summit, takes a different angle entirely. It’s a high-caliber event designed to connect franchise brands, capital sources and strategic advisors in a focused, deal-ready environment. It’s built around brands at a capital or acquisition inflection point rather than general networking.
How is SKIP Summit different?
SKIP Summit is smaller by design and every element – from breakout sessions to the Wrigley Field experience – is structured around direct, meaningful time between brands and the advisors actively working with franchise buyers. It's less "see and be seen at a massive trade show" and more "build the relationships that actually turn into placements."
"After nearly 20 years in franchising and hundreds of conferences, I don't say this lightly: Franchise Sidekick knows how to put on an event," said Patti Rother, 2025 attendee. "From world-class speakers to incredible opportunities for networking and connection (and yes, some epic parties), it was an experience that truly stood out."
Brands often attend both a large event like IFA for industry-wide visibility and macro trends and SKIP Summit for the kind of high-ratio, advisor-focused relationship building that a 20,000-person convention floor simply can't replicate.
Ready to be in the room?
SKIP Summit 2026 takes place October 13-15 in Chicago, and ticket availability – especially for the Exclusive Advisor Experience at Wrigley Field – is limited and going fast.
If you’re serious about building the advisor relationships that drive real franchise growth, this is the event to attend.
Register for SKIP Summit today!
Frequently asked questions about SKIP Summit 2026
What is SKIP Summit?
SKIP Summit is Franchise Sidekick's annual flagship event, bringing together Sidekick Advisors, franchise brands and industry leaders for structured networking, main stage programming and signature evening experiences.
When and where is SKIP Summit 2026?
SKIP Summit 2026 takes place October 13-15, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. The main events will take place at iconic venues including Navy Pier, The Field Museum and Wrigley Field.
What is the Exclusive Advisor Experience at Wrigley Field?
It's a limited-capacity experience held at Wrigley Field. It’s capped at 60 attendees, making it the only franchise advisor networking event with a 2:1 attendee-to-advisor ratio, giving franchise brands unusually direct access to Sidekick Advisors.
How is SKIP Summit different from the IFA Annual Convention?
The IFA Annual Convention is the industry's largest event, drawing thousands of attendees and hundreds of brands for broad industry trends and networking. SKIP Summit is intentionally smaller and built around deep, structured relationship-building between franchise brands and the advisors who work directly with franchise buyers.
Who should attend SKIP Summit as a brand?
Franchise brands looking to build direct relationships with franchise advisors. Brands can expand their pipeline of qualified franchise owners and gain visibility with the professionals actively guiding people through the decision to buy a franchise.
How do I register for SKIP Summit 2026?
Registration is open now! Buy tickets before they’re gone on the SKIP Summit 2026 website.
Does Franchise Sidekick charge franchise buyers for advisory services?
Franchise Sidekick offers free advisory services to prospective franchise owners, which is part of why its advisor network carries so much influence with serious, qualified buyers.
