The Liniger Center on Franchising at the Daniels College of Business will provide guidance, support and resources to those involved in all segments of the franchising industry through a combination of education, networking and thought leadership. Created through a gift from David and Gail Liniger, the Center will be the preeminent resource and educational institution in the region for franchising and the first of its kind west of the Mississippi.

Franchising accounts for more than $787 billion of business conducted in the United States.

Franchising is projected to add 17,000 new locations, add nearly 260,000 new jobs, and contribute $501 billion to the U.S. GDP in 2022.
The Liniger Center offers non-credit, executive education courses on franchising, business, and leadership, covering emerging issues and topics of interest for current and aspiring franchisors and franchisees. Here is a schedule of upcoming sessions offered:
For more information, please contact:
Kevin Betts
Sr. Executive Director, Liniger Center on Franchising
Liniger.Center@du.edu
303.871.7554
july 2023
Effective Communication Using Insights Discovery
July 27
The Insights Discovery System is a simple yet powerful framework used extensively in organizations worldwide. Using this tool, you develop and improve personal leadership, high-performing teams and interpersonal communication in the workplace.
More Info | Register
The Franchisor Journey
July 27-29
Being a franchisor comes with incredible responsibility for the brand, the franchisees and the customers of the network. This course will examine each of the stages a franchisor must go through as it develops a valued brand, a powerful network, and a cadre of loyal customers along the way.
IFA continuing education credits: 29 CFE Education and 9 CFE Participation credits
Register before July 15 and use the promo code FIRSTJOURNEY to save 20%.
August 2023
The Franchisee Journey
August 24-26
Buying a business (including a franchise) is considered a top-10 decisions a person might make during their life. We will outline the key considerations when making the decision to become a franchisee, then follow that decision through to the eventual exit.
IFA continuing education credits: 29 CFE Education and 9 CFE Participation credits
Register before July 15 and use the promo code FIRSTJOURNEY to save 20%.
SEPTEMBER 2023
Data Visualization Using Power BI
September14, 21 and 28
In today’s business world, creating and communicating through compelling data visualizations is a must-have skill for business professionals. In this three-day workshop, you’ll learn how to use and apply Power BI, a free Microsoft application, to create stunning visuals without complex algorithms or coding.
More Info | Register
Finance for Non-Financial Managers
September 26, October 3 and October 10
This workshop introduces you to the essential accounting and finance skills any business professional needs to know. Over three days, you will learn the language, tools and techniques to become a more intelligent user of finance and accounting reports.
More Info | Register
OCTOBER 2023
Accelerated Leadership Experience
October 11-13 and October 20, October 27, November 3 and November 17
This program includes both classroom and experiential activities designed for new, high-potential managers. You will participate in a three-day mountain retreat or intensive kick-off session followed by four half-days online, developing the tools and skills needed to succeed in increasingly complex roles.
More Info | Register
DECEMBER 2023
The Denver Leadership Experience
December 4-8
This transformational workshop challenges experienced managers to think and perform differently to reach their leadership potential. Over five days, you will gain timely and innovative leadership development essentials for our increasingly complex business world.
More Info | Schedule Interview
An important role for the Center will be to bring together a mutually supportive community of individuals passionate about franchising. The Center will create opportunities for peer-to-peer networking such as:
- educational workshops on current trends/business topics
- case studies on situations currently faced by individuals and companies
- informal gatherings in an environment of trust, collaboration and confidentiality
Together, franchisees and franchisors will explore sustainable and timeless concepts to develop solutions to the ever-changing challenges facing the franchise industry today.
The Center will facilitate relevant and applied research on the most current and salient topics in the franchising space, establishing itself as a thought leader in the industry. This research will be supported by faculty members and researchers from across academic disciplines, including the Franklin L. Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management, the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management, and the Reiman School of Finance. The Center will facilitate the development of original case studies as well, to promote situational and applied learning in its courses.
Faculty will partner with industry leaders to ensure that the research is practical and applicable to the challenges faced by franchisors and franchisees. The Center will also leverage opportunities to collaborate with unique business and educational organizations across the DU campus—for example, with the University’s interdisciplinary entrepreneurial initiative, Entrepreneurship@DU, or with the Bailey Program for Family Enterprise.
Dave and Gail Liniger have been helping others find success in business for 50 years. They co-founded RE/MAX in 1973, starting with a single office in Denver. RE/MAX has grown to be one of the largest real estate companies in the world, with approximately 7,000 offices and 125,000 agents around the globe. Together, the couple revolutionized the real estate industry and created a company based on a franchise model.
Dave is a member of the International Franchise Association’s Hall of Fame and has been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fortune, Inc., Success and other leading publications and media outlets across the globe. Gail Liniger was the first RE/MAX employee and, through 45 years of involvement and leadership, became the chief executive officer and vice chair of the Board of Directors, while building an organizational culture of collaboration, productivity, gratitude and giving.