The Tariq Farid Franchise Institute at Babson College

Franchising accounts for more than $674 billion of business conducted in the United States each year. Now, the new Tariq Farid Franchise Institute at Babson College will provide cocurricular education and expertise to rising entrepreneurs to accelerate their success in the world of franchising.

The Tariq Farid Franchise Institute at Babson College—made possible by Tariq Farid P’15, founder and CEO of Edible Brands—will reside under The Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College. The institute will create cross-disciplinary programming that draws on Babson’s business and entrepreneurial expertise, combined with the experience and knowledge of franchising experts, to advance students’ understanding of franchising and the opportunities it can create.

Within Babson’s existing framework to develop entrepreneurs, the Tariq Farid Franchise Institute will provide courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and certificate levels, delivered both in person and remotely, with a major focus on case studies. The institute also will create a world-class advisory council of Babson alumni and experts who have started, scaled, and invested in franchises, as well as a multidisciplinary faculty research program to understand and advance the importance of franchising to enhance our curriculum and identify new ways to innovate.

The institute also will partner with each of Babson’s existing centers and institutes to infuse franchising expertise into the curriculum and cocurricular programs, activities, and events. New internships and other opportunities with franchise brands will help students practice and implement what they are learning in the classroom. Students will develop an in-depth understanding of franchising as a system of distribution and business expansion, preparing them for future opportunities to build success through franchising.