LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Yum! Brands and the University of Louisville are partnering to launch new executive education programs, announced on Tuesday.
According to a news release, the "Accelerating Growth" programs will focus on equipping operations leaders to take senior management roles in franchise organizations.
Yum! Brands is providing more than $800,000 in funding to launch the program, which is in addition to $3.5 million given to the university as part of the Global Center of Franchise Excellence” at UofL’s College of Business.
The two new education tracks will launch in the summer and fall 2024 semesters. The offerings will develop skills necessary to run and grow a large franchise business.
"Yum! Brands is passionate about the franchise business model, and capable franchise leaders are the lifeblood of every successful franchise system. As the franchisor of choice for the industry, we are thrilled to partner with the University of Louisville and address a need of the industry – training a new generation of leaders to take on senior management roles in franchise businesses," Wanda Williams, head of Global Franchising for Yum! Brands, said in a news release. "Since its launch in 2021 as part of our Unlocking Opportunity Initiative, the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence has helped prepare hundreds of students for successful careers and business ownership opportunities by building knowledge about the franchising industry."
A six-month program will train general managers and area coaches for a vice president role, while an advanced one-year program will prepare vice presidents for roles as president of a franchise organization. According to a news release, both programs include online and experiential education.
Since the start of Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at UofL, enrollment has surpassed 900 students.
In 2022, Yum! Brands partnered with University of Louisville and Howard University for the Yum! Franchise Accelerator, an MBA-elective opportunity that supports underrepresented people of color and women interested in the franchise restaurant industry. The program selects 10 second-year MBA students from the two schools to participate in a five-month fellowship.
Related Stories:
- Yum! Brands partnering with UofL, Howard University for franchise accelerator fellowship
- Yum! Brands to fund franchising center at University of Louisville
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