On June 11-13, 2026, John Cabot University welcomed scholars, industry leaders, and institutional representatives from around the world for the 39th Annual Conference of the International Society of Franchising (ISOF), one of the leading international academic associations dedicated to franchising research.
Hosted at JCU’s Guarini Campus in Rome, the three-day conference brought together participants from 27 universities across 14 countries spanning Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. The event provided an important forum for the exchange of ideas and the discussion of contemporary challenges and opportunities facing franchise systems and international businesses.
A highlight of the conference was the industry roundtable “Franchising & International Growth: Models, Challenges and Operational Perspectives,” which brought together academic researchers and leading representatives from the franchising sector. The roundtable was opened by Luigi Murialdo (Research Centre Manager at Confimprese) and Fabio Fulvio (Marketing, Innovation and Internationalization Director at Confcommercio).
The discussion featured Gloria Bagdadli (Global Retailing Director at Lavazza), Claudia Torrisi (Vice President of Federfranchising and Founder and Multi-unit Franchisee of Kids&Us and YellowKorner Rome), Fabio Fulvio (Confcommercio), Silvia Bortolotti (Partner at BBM – Buffa, Bortolotti & Mathis), and Francesco Fuga (KFC Franchisee in Rome). Moderated by Maria Jell-Ojobor, Associate Professor of International Business at John Cabot University and Conference Co-Chair, the session explored the opportunities and challenges facing franchise systems in an increasingly dynamic international environment.
Discussions addressed topics including artificial intelligence and digitalization, sustainability and responsible governance, franchise governance and contract design, international expansion, organizational resilience, capability development, trust and compliance, disclosure and market outcomes, and franchisor–franchisee relationships. Together, these conversations highlighted the growing importance of balancing innovation, adaptability, and governance in an environment characterized by technological change, evolving consumer expectations, and increasing uncertainty.
The conference received highly positive feedback from both academic participants and industry representatives, who praised the quality of the program, the diversity of perspectives represented, and the welcoming atmosphere created throughout the event.
By hosting ISOF 2026, John Cabot University further strengthened its role as a hub for international scholarship and industry dialogue while reinforcing its commitment to academic excellence, global engagement, and meaningful connections between research and practice.
