Two all-pro franchise sales teams went head-to-head in a live, on stage, unscripted competition at this year's Franchise Leadership and Development Conference. Left to right: Steve Hearon, VP Franchise Development, CertaPro Painters (closing the deal) Nick Neonakis, Director, FloorCoverings International (validation) Tom Wood, President and COO, FloorCoverings International and Snickers (closing the deal) Steve Olson, Publisher, Franchise Update Media Group Brian Spindel, President and COO (validation) Jeff Mullin, Director of Franchise Sales (pre-qualification) Steve Greenbaum, CEO (closing the deal)

Raul Trejo, a Catholic lay leader from Rolling Meadows, carried a long roll of signatures from local residents demanding that Barbara Lucas, owner of the Taco Bell franchise (QSR, Inc), meet with the women to at least offer them a fair severance. Almost immediately, a store manager came out to prohibit the women and community residents from entering the restaurant. When asked to come outside to receive the petition, the manager reportedly said he was too busy.exploitation.