UT Haslam Franchising Course Offered at No Cost Through Industry Leader's Sponsorship

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 16, 2025 -- Thanks to the generosity of successful entrepreneur Shelly Sun Berkowitz (HCB, '92), founder and executive chairwoman of BrightStar Group Holdings Inc., the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business' franchising certification program is now available at no cost to participants. There are no prerequisites for the program beyond a strong desire to learn the franchising business, so learners of all backgrounds are encouraged to enroll.

The franchising program is offered through Haslam's Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Lindsay Mahony, assistant department head for Haslam's Department of Management and Entrepreneurship and the Anderson Center's director of franchising program initiatives, praised Sun Berkowitz for striving to make franchising more obtainable.

"The Anderson Center is thrilled to work with Shelly to bring our franchising certification program to the largest pool of entrepreneurs possible," she says. "We are profoundly grateful to Shelly for making this programming possible and ensuring it is open to students with no cost concerns."

A Proven Entrepreneurial Model

Sun Berkowitz's extensive business experience underscores her expertise in contributing to exceptional franchising instruction. In 2002, after being unable to find reliable, quality in-home care for her grandmother, she founded Brightstar Care. Her goal was to fill the healthcare delivery gap she encountered by providing a full spectrum of first-class home-care services. Sun Berkowitz began franchising Brightstar Care in 2005. It has grown to more than 400 locations nationwide, offering high-quality medical and non-medical in-home care services and employing more than 20,000 staff, including 15,000 caregivers and 5,700 registered nurses.

"Franchising empowered me to fulfill my entrepreneurial goals, and it enables countless other entrepreneurs to pursue their ambitions through Brightstar Care," Sun Berkowitz explains. "Beginning with UT's no-cost franchising program as a template, I want to exponentially expand franchising's accessibility so every entrepreneur can pursue their dreams."

Franchising From A to Z

Haslam's live, online program spans seven weeks and explores franchising through its fundamental building blocks, covering one of the following key components each week:

• Foundations: How franchising differs from other businesses
  
  
• Evaluation: Determining the right franchise business
  
  
• Acquisition: Learning to write a business plan and obtain funding
  
  
• Building: Recruiting, hiring and retaining franchise employees
  
  
• Leadership: Modeling the qualities of a successful franchise leader
  
  
• Operations: Managing and measuring operational components of franchising
  
  
• Growth: Implementing successful practices to ensure continuing growth

Graduates of the program receive a certificate of completion, signifying their readiness to fully explore franchising. The next online franchise certification program begins October 6, 2025. Space is limited for this no-cost program, and early enrollment is strongly encouraged.

A Model of Possibility

Franchising has strong roots in U.S. history, but many Americans associate it with fast food chains, limiting their understanding of the model's many opportunities. The franchising certification program aims to amend that perception. Covering a wide spectrum of franchise options, from retail to service distribution, the program equips students with a clear understanding of the many franchising paths they can pursue.

"It's important to know how the model works and all the different types of franchises to ensure you are making informed decisions," Sun Berkowitz says.

Cordell Riley, a franchising expert with more than 30 years of experience, is the primary program instructor. According to Riley, the best franchisors provide all the tools and resources — such as marketing, branding, training and ongoing support — their franchisees need to run successful ventures. Haslam's program helps aspiring franchisees understand the franchise model and determine if it's the right fit for them. For those who choose to pursue franchising, the program teaches students how to acquire, develop and deliver the essential elements of a successful venture, as well as how to evaluate these qualities in possible franchisors.

"Through UT's online franchising certification program, we share the expertise and skills that are needed to make an informed decision about franchising at no cost," Riley says. "We want everyone interested in pursuing the American dream through franchising to understand the model and have that opportunity. This program provides a great franchise education."

Ready to Begin Your Franchising Journey?

Haslam undergraduate students interested in franchising are encouraged to take ENT 480 Franchising. In addition to covering the seven core elements of franchising, students gain real-world franchising experience through corporate partner site visits and internship opportunities.

For all others, Haslam's franchise certification program is ideal for self-starters from all professional backgrounds, from military personnel re-entering civilian life to high school students pursuing career options. It also will benefit early-stage franchisees and franchisors interested in understanding the foundations of the model.

Enrollment for Haslam's no-cost franchising certification program is currently open and ends Oct 2nd, 2025.

SOURCE University of Tennessee on behalf of its Haslam College of Business