The annual International Society of Franchising (ISoF) Conference was hosted by Frederick University's School of Business and Law from the 21st to 24th of May, 2025, marking a significant milestone in fostering academic excellence and industry innovation.

The 38th edition of the Conference was co-organised by the ISoF and our University’s School of Business and Law and concluded on May 24, following four days of academic exchange and professional networking.

Held in the scenic village of Tochni, the conference brought together franchise academics and researchers from Universities across Europe, North America, and the Middle East, to explore current trends, challenges, and innovations in the field of franchising.

A welcome reception was held on May 21st, followed by two full days of conference sessions, covering a wide range of timely topics including operations, competition, entrepreneurship, technology, analytics, legal frameworks, and social dynamics in franchising. Discussions were led by prominent academics and industry experts. The conference concluded on May 24th with an ISoF board meeting and the awards ceremony, celebrating academic excellence and ongoing collaboration within the global franchising research community. 

Dr Josef Windsperger from the University of Vienna (Austria) and Dr Marijana Srećković from the Technical University of Vienna (Austria) won the Best Paper Award for their paper titled: “Blockchain and Decision Rights in Franchise Networks: A Property Rights Approach”. The Best Student Paper Award was shared between Antonio Porto from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (USA) for his paper titled “Superior Customer Service as a Competitive Strategy in Chains: Entrepreneurial Orientation and Market Dynamics”, co-authored with Dr Steve Michael, and Denis Zenios from TUM (Germany) for his paper titled: “Mapping the Intellectual Landscape of Franchising Research: Topic Modeling of ISoF Papers”, co-authored with Dr Nina Gorovaia, member of the faculty at Frederick University.

Dr Gorovaia, member of the ISoF Board and Associate Professor of Strategy and Management at Frederick University’s Department of Business Administration, noted: “Frederick University was proud to host this year’s event, which not only highlighted emerging research in franchising but also showcased Cyprus as a welcoming venue for international academic dialogue. The ISoF Conference continues to serve as a prominent forum for leading research and practical insights. Attendees from around the world enjoyed engaging sessions, discussions, and networking in the beautiful village of Tochni, creating an inspiring setting for the future of franchising research.”

The annual ISoF Conference marks a significant milestone in fostering academic excellence and industry innovation within the franchising sector. This year’s event showcased the expanding scope of franchising - from AI and blockchain to social franchising and legal reform - demonstrating the field’s growing relevance and diversity.