Biography
Dr. Hayes has been a franchisee, franchisor, and for more than 40 years an advisor to franchise companies
internationally. He wrote Franchising: The Inside Story and a dozen other books about franchising. He is also the
author of Philadelphia in Color and James A. Michener: A Biography. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s
degrees in journalism at Kent State University (Ohio) and his doctorate degree at Temple University (Philadelphia).
Dr. Hayes has written extensively about franchising in popular and academic publications and he’s a popular speaker
at franchise expos and conferences internationally. His seminar, the A to Zs of Buying a Franchise, is the most
popular seminar at expos sponsored by the International Franchise Association. He’s a member of the International
Franchise Association and the International Society of Franchising.
In 2016, Dr. Hayes created a franchise curriculum to be offered by Palm Beach Atlantic University starting in 2017.
PBA received an endowment of $1.5-million from franchise entrepreneur Ray Titus, founder of United Franchise
Group, to establish the Titus Center for Franchising. The Titus Center provides educational programs for franchise
professionals and has attracted an Advisory Board of 100 professionals. More than 50 students have graduated from
PBA with a Concentration in Franchising. Many of the graduates have become employees of franchise companies as
well as franchisees.
Degrees
PhD in History, Temple University | MA in Journalism, Kent State University | BA in Journalism-Radio-TV News, Kent State University