Paul and Lori Hogan are elevating franchise education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln through a gift to the College of Business that establishes the Hogan Franchise Leadership Program and expands opportunities for students to learn, connect, and gain experience.
“We see Nebraska quickly earning a worldwide reputation for franchising,” Paul said. “We want students to know if they want to understand franchising, or become great franchise leaders, there is no better place than Nebraska.”
Open to students from all majors across the university, the program brings together franchise courses, experiential learning, internships, and the Husker Franchise Club. Students explore the franchise model, connect with franchise owners, and industry professionals, and develop skills for business ownership and leadership.
The program builds on growing student interest in franchising and the work of the Center for Entrepreneurship, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this fall. The center provides programs and resources that help students across the university explore entrepreneurship, franchising, and family business, while connecting with the business community.
“We want students to recognize that Nebraska is one of the few universities that has a Franchise Leadership Program,” Paul said. “This program gives students a truly unique franchise leadership foundation.”
Paul explained the importance behind the defining leadership focus.
“Today there are higher expectations among franchisors and other companies serving franchise organizations, and this program will help UNL students have an advanced level of understanding so they can quickly contribute,” Paul said. “They are looking for people who not only learned about franchising but have the will and the potential to lead in the franchising ecosystem.”
Student interest in franchising has grown since Lindsay Thomsen, assistant professor of practice in management and director of business development for the Center for Entrepreneurship, helped relaunch the student franchise organization and redeveloped an introductory franchising course in 2022.
“Franchising has continued to grow because it gives people the chance to be in business for themselves, but not by themselves, using an established business model, brand, and support system,” Thomsen said. "That interest comes as Nebraska emerged as one of the top states for franchise growth, according to the International Franchise Association."
The combination of the support from the Hogans, the experience of the long-running Center for Entrepreneurship and the strengths of Nebraska’s franchise community creates an opportunity for students that is distinctively different at UNL.
“Paul and Lori understand firsthand how a Nebraska education can open a door that changes the course of a student’s life,” said Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business. “Their generosity gives our students the chance to explore franchising in a more experiential way, connect with leaders in the industry, and develop the knowledge and relationships they need to lead.”
The Hogans’ commitment to franchise education is rooted in Paul’s experience at UNL, which set him on the path that eventually led him and Lori to found Home Instead and build it into a global brand.
“In the mid-1980s, I had the opportunity to study franchising, join a Franchise Club, and get an internship with a franchise company,” Paul said. “That set me on a life-changing journey.”
Their gift helps ensure students at the university have access to those same experiences.
“We learned that Nebraska is a great place to build a franchise business, and the university is a great place to begin that adventure,” Lori said. “It ensures that Nebraska will always teach franchising and attract students who aspire to be great leaders.”
Paul also credits his first boss, Dallen Peterson, founder of Merry Maids, with teaching him an early lesson about what makes franchising different.
“He told me that franchisors are only successful when their franchisees are successful," Paul said. "Franchising is a relationship-based method of expansion. Everyone learns from each other under a common system. When a discovery is made by one, it is leveraged by all. It is an exponential learning environment, from which everyone benefits.”
The Hogans saw those same qualities in Nebraska.
“Being in the middle of the country, Nebraska’s location is ideal for building a global brand,” Paul said. “There are many brands that have done so in addition to Home Instead. There is no state that has better people at building relationships than Nebraska.”
The Hogans' investment will help Nebraska continue to be known as a place where franchise businesses can grow and future franchise leaders are developed. Whether students envision a career with a franchisor, becoming a franchisee, launching a business with a franchise model, or just want to learn more about it, the program will assure they gain knowledge, connections and experience.
“We are so excited about the possibilities for this Franchise Leadership Program,” Lori said. “The sky is the limit, and with great leaders like Dean Kathy Farrell and Lindsay Thomsen, Nebraska is going to place another big gold star on the map for the university and our College of Business.”
