Membership

Membership in the SEKFCFA provides membership in the national association, the AKFCF -- You must be a member of a regional association to gain access to the benefits of the AKFCF including Convention, Legal, and Government Affairs (detailed list of benefits below).

Association Meetings -- Members stay connected during 3 association meetings a year - Fall Membership Meeting and Trade Show, Regional Breakout at Convention, and the Summer Board Meeting.  During meetings, the SEKFCFA shares valuable information such as committee reports (NCAC, RSCS, GAC), education through workshops, opportunities to conduct business with vendor partners, and reports from KFC and franchise leadership.

Association Health Plan  -- Regular members and Associate Members are eligible to participate in the Association Health Plan provided by Decisely.  By coming together, members are typically able to save in big ways on their health plan costs.

Leadership Development -- There are multiple opportunities to engage and grow your skill set as an entrepreneur and operator and to influence the future of the KFC Brand.  The SEKFCFA offers paid internships to the NCAC and RSCS to understand the bigger picture of how the KFC Brand works.  Members can access Senators and Congressmen to influence their understanding of small businesses through annual fly-ins in DC and potentially serve on the Government Affairs Committee.  Service as a Director on the Board is a way to develop as an Association leader.  This may lead to service on the Executive Committee to eventually become President of the Association.  The 1st VP and President of each regional association serve on the national AKFCF Board.  Once a member has served as the President of its regional association, they become eligible to serve on the AKFCF Executive Committee.  Finally, the SEKFCFA elects from its members 3 representatives to the NCAC and 1 representative to the RSCS every 3 years.  This is an opportunity to be a part of the decision making at the highest level.

Access to NCAC, RSCS, and KFCC -- NCAC, RSCS, and KFCC Leadership all attend association meetings to report and take Q&A.  Prior to their own meetings, regional members have the opportunity to provide feedback or ask questions.  NCAC and RSCS representatives are readily available to members for discussion of relevant topics, issues, or suggestions.

Becoming a member of the SEKFCFA region provides membership to the national association, the AKFCF.  Additional benefits of the AKFCF are listed below.

Legal Fees- include paying current General Counsel Ron Gardner for his role as the AKFCF attorney. These fees included delivering our members the Merit, Definitive and Accelerated Agreements, reviewing every proposed contract and document, and answering questions from members. These things arise quickly and would be impossible to cover without the National Support Dues. Ongoing budget of $250,000 a year but sometimes much higher. Also provides legal support to NCAC and subcommittees, especially the Contract/Facilities Subcommittee which is crucial – Ongoing

Annual Convention – The AKFCF Convention Committee and Staff works year-round to plan, coordinate and execute the only KFC convention that allows all franchisees to come together for fellowship, learning, to share best practices, listen to KFCC leaders, visit with our current vendors, explore new ones and celebrate the KFC brand. Franchisees pay $249 registration for up to $1300 in value received.  

Government Affairs Committee – Dan Ganz, our DC lobbyist costs us $9,000 a month and is very effective and a great value at that price. We have a $150,000 budget per year fighting in Washington for franchisee friendly legislation for our system. This wouldn’t be possible without these dues. Keeps system updated with current issues and presents at convention. Coordinates with AKFCF Government Affairs committee and AKFCF PAC. Also coordinates 2 fly-ins per year where KFC franchisees can attend and visit their congressmen – Ongoing.

The Econometric Study cost us over a half million dollars. This study helped immensely to convince KFCC to work toward the Accelerated Agreement, which helped turn the brand around and will have lasting benefits through the next generation. One of its lasting legacies is the permanent Restaurant Economic Committee of the NCAC, which monitors system health. $509,000

Archiving Project – we saw the meticulous detail taken by many to archive important AKFCF and historical KFC system information. This is an Ongoing project – now Chaired by David Sparks. Just using one piece of archived information in a dispute more than pays for our investment in this project. AKFCF also pays to store all the physical documents that have been accumulated. Have spent cumulative $165,000 with ongoing storage costs.  

AKFCF Quarterly – The AKFCF Quarterly Editor, Assistant Editors and Staff work closely with a publisher to provide four quality magazines every year which are also available in a digital version as well as a monthly digital e-newsletter. Every franchisee member receives the Quarterly at no cost other than their paid dues.

Mobile app – The AKFCF has an app for mobile devices which will provide information and communication abilities for convention as well as many other uses. 

Membership renewal site – The AKFCF set up a membership renewal site to make it easier for all franchisees and especially multi-region franchisees to go to one site and pay their dues for all regions. AKFCF set up the site and pays all credit-card fees and Aventri fees. Ongoing.

Consultant Sourcing -- In the past the AKFCF has strategically used consultants to address specific issues/needs of its members (Mike Takla, Larry Light, Jeanie Coyle, Denise Cumberland PhD, Millward Brown, 

AKFCF Staff -- Includes the Executive Director, Administrative Manager, and Trade Show Manager.  Their responsibilities include executing AKFCF Board initiatives, managing finances, and coordinating the AKFCF Convention.

AKFCF Committees -- Includes Executive, Leadership, Education, Partnership, Government Affairs, Strategic Planning are all led by franchisee leaders.  They support ongoing strategic initiatives that benefit the members.

Strategic Planning -- Every 5 years the AKFCF Board facilitates a strategic long-term plan utilizing consultants such as Harrison Coerver & Assoc.

Insurance – The AKFCF provides liability insurance to the regions as part of its policy. Ongoing. $8000 annually  

Re-Colonelization efforts (and other Brand/Operational Investments) – contributed to national training rally expenses $182,470 in 2015. This was a one-time partnership with KFCC to get the rallies done. Also partnered one more year and have been willing to work to put rallies on again. 

This is what makes the AKFCF and its regions well worth supporting.