Franchisee Support is the Hardest Role in Franchising
At AC Inc., we know franchise business coaching is the toughest job in franchising — and the most important. ACademy is where teams learn how to do it with confidence, clarity, and impact.
The ACademy is our education and certification division, created to equip franchise support teams with the skills, confidence, and tools needed to coach franchisees for performance and growth.
Through interactive learning, real-world application, and our Strategic Growth Coaching methodology, the ACademy transforms support team members into capable, structured, and strategic coaches who drive engagement, accountability, and measurable results.
Whether you’re building your coaching foundation, strengthening leadership, or deepening your team's impact, ACademy offers tailored learning experiences that level up your franchise support — from the ACcelerator certification program to private workshops and on-demand courses.
Where Franchise Education Turns Into Real Performance
4.8 / 5
Average rating for ACademy content and learning experiences
290+
Total course enrollments across ACademy programs
20+
Custom workshops delivered by our education team
70+
Ready-to-deliver topics and focus areas for tailored workshops
Trusted by Leading Franchise Brands
Three Learning Paths to Strengthen Your Franchise Team
Whether you are looking for full certification, a private team workshop, or flexible self-paced learning, the ACademy offers tailored options to meet your goals.
Private Education Workshops
On-Demand Courses
Franchise business coach Certification
Session Key Takeaways from Participants
Led by Experts in Franchise Support
Every ACademy Program is led by the AC Inc. education team — a group of seasoned franchise professionals with deep franchise Business coaching, operations, leadership, and training experience.
stephanie benze
director of education
erica shoop
Field Support Advisor
abe dunaway
field support advisor
A 15-year franchise operations leader, Erica specializes in turning complexity into clarity and equipping coaches and owners with the tools to lead confidently and sustainably.
As a veteran operator and AC Inc. Certified Field Coach, Abe Dunaway guides franchisor teams in tailoring and deploying the SGC framework.
Stephanie Benze, Director of Education, leverages 10+ years in franchising to lead AC Inc.’s educational programs, including the SGC framework.
Strategic Growth Coaching: The Framework Behind Effective Franchise Support
Strategic Growth Coaching (SGC) is AC Inc.’s proven methodology for turning franchisee support into a consistent driver of franchisee performance. It gives franchise business coaches a clear, repeatable structure for coaching conversations that build trust, accountability, and measurable progress.
Embedded across The ACademy, SGC equips support teams to move beyond reactive support into intentional, performance-focused coaching. Coaches learn how to identify real business gaps, guide better decision-making, and create alignment between daily actions and long-term goals.
The result is stronger franchisee engagement, more consistent execution across the system, and sustainable growth at scale — delivered through certification, workshops, and on-demand learning.
The Premier Education & Certification Pathway for Franchise Support Teams
Train your franchise business coaches, operations pros, and leaders with proven coaching tools grounded in the Strategic Growth Coaching Methodology.
Franchise business coaching is one of the toughest and most important roles in franchising, and most brands don’t provide structured training. The ACademy changes that.
Our live, expert-led online courses give franchise support teams the tools, skills, and strategies they need to coach proactively, improve franchisee performance, and elevate the health of your entire system. With tiered learning levels, electives, and a path toward full certification, the ACademy meets your team where they are and helps them level up fast.
Ready to dig into franchisee support
professional development?
Whether you want to enroll in the ACcelerator Program to get fully certified, take some ACademy course at your own-pace, or explore customized workshops, our education team is ready to help you find the right learning path for your franchisee support team.
