Lane Small Business Development Center

One of the most sought-after franchise opportunities in the country is also one of the least understood.

So we’re bringing the people who actually know how it works to Eugene. 👀

On October 8, Collaborative Economic Development Oregon is hosting an in-person conversation with local Chick-fil-A Restaurants Owner-Operators and a member of Chick-fil-A’s corporate support team about what it really takes to pursue this opportunity.

🐔 Not the internet version.

✅ The actual expectations
✅ The leadership commitment
✅ The selection process
✅ The misconceptions
✅ And the realities of operating the business day to day

For our network, this is the part we think is especially interesting:

💡 Chick-fil-A isn’t simply looking for someone who wants to own a restaurant. It is looking for people prepared to lead teams, build culture, operate a business hands-on, and invest deeply in their communities.

That means the right person may already be in our network and may not have ever considered themselves a “restaurant person.”

Maybe they’re an executive. 💼
A nonprofit or community leader. 🤝
A seasoned manager. 📈
An entrepreneur. 🚀
A veteran. 🎖️

Or simply an exceptional people-leader wondering what their next chapter could look like.

If that sounds like you, come ask the questions yourself.

And if someone came to mind while you were reading this, send this their way. 👋

📅 October 8
📍 Farmers Market Pavilion | Eugene
🎟️ Learn more + register: https://buytickets.at/collaborativeedo/2390707

📸 FREE PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOTS. 10 YEARS OF LPC. UNA NOCHE DE COMUNIDAD. 🎉

Okayyyy… this is NOT your average Wednesday night. 🔥

This Wednesday, Latino Professionals Connect is celebrating 10 YEARS of connection, opportunity, representation, and comunidad and you’re invited to celebrate con nosotros. ❤️

✨ PLUS: We’re offering FREE professional headshots! ✨

Yep. FREE. Come camera-ready, update that LinkedIn profile, refresh your professional bio, or finally get the headshot you’ve been meaning to take. 📸🙌🏽

📅 Wednesday, October 7
⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 Springfield Chamber of Commerce
🎟️ FREE to attend

For 10 years, LPC has created a space where Latino professionals can meet, connect, abrir puertas, share opportunities, and help one another grow.

So whether you’ve been part of LPC desde el principio or this will be your very first Networking Night esta es tu invitación.

Come for the headshot. 😉
Stay for the food.
Make a new connection.
Reconnect with your gente.
And help us celebrate TEN incredible years of LPC.🥳

💛 A very special GRACIAS to Lane Small Business Development Center (Lane SBDC), our event sponsor, for helping us bring this celebration to life and for continuing to invest in Latino professionals, entrepreneurs, and opportunity in our community.

10 años de comunidad. 10 años de conexiones. Y apenas estamos comenzando. 🚀

Tag your coworkers. Text your friends. Bring your business cards.

Nos vemos Wednesday! 🎉📸



Collaborative EDO, Oregon Community Foundation, Lane Workforce Partnership

Who agrees? 😅

Your Notes app is not a business partner. 👀

Neither are those 27 open browser tabs.

You’ve brainstormed. Googled. Talked yourself into it. Talked yourself out of it. Now try a conversation with someone who gets it.

☕ Startup Coffee Meetup is your invitation to get out of your own head and into the room!

Whether you’re building a business, exploring an idea, or working through a “what now?” moment, join fellow entrepreneurs for a morning of real conversations and fresh perspectives.

Bring your “Has anyone tried this?”
Your “I could use another perspective.”
Your “I think I might be onto something.”

You don’t have to have it all figured out to pull up a chair.

📅 Thursday, October 8
🕘 9–10 AM
📍 Lane Community College SBDC Downtown Campus

Close a few tabs. Open a few conversations.

LEARN MORE HERE>>> https://www.collaborativeedo.org/events/2026-10-08-startup-coffee-meetups



Lane Small Business Development Center, Lane Workforce Partnership, Cascades West Innovation Hub, University of Oregon Lundquist College of Business, Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network

This pub talk is going to be awesome! A business plan accelerator graduate will be pitching at the event and our new advisor Angela McDonald will be in attendance.

Also Peter from Palo Alto is a panelist and guest instructor in our business plan program. It would be a great event to learn more about the program from folks involved in it.

These events are fun, inspiring, and educational. We highly recommend! 🥳

🔥 Have a business idea you’re ready to bring to life?

PubTalks is coming to the newly renovated Smitty’s in City of Veneta, Oregon for a FREE evening devoted to turning big ideas into real businesses!

Join us to:

🤝 Connect with local entrepreneurs and business resources
🌶️ Hear a founder pitch from Shannon Baldwin of House of Ember
💡 Get practical guidance on the legal, financial and strategic decisions involved in starting and growing a business.

Peter Thorsson of Palo Alto Software and the University of Oregon’s Lundquist College of Business will moderate an all-star panel featuring:

☕ Dr. Clare Fowler, odr.com and Cup of Joe
⚖️ Ben Kearney, ARNOLD GALLAGHER PC
❤️ DeAnna Townsend, Mid Lane Cares
📊 Nate West, CPA, Jones & Roth CPAs and Business Advisors

Whether you have a business idea, a growing side hustle or questions about your next step, this conversation is for you.

📅 Tuesday, September 29
⏰ 4:00 to 6:00 PM
📍 Smitty’s in Veneta
🎟️ Details and registration: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/collaborativeedo/2381876

Know someone who should be in the room? Tag them below or share this post with your network!

Thank you to our friends and partners!

Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, Lane Workforce Partnership, Lane Small Business Development Center, City of Veneta, Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network, Cascades West Innovation Hub, SCORE Mentors



*PubTalks is a registered trademark of Oregon Entrepreneurs Network

We are so exciting to be supporting this event coming up in October! More info to come.

🎉 FRIDAY FEELING: Your October calendar needs more connection!

Latino Professionals Connect is back Wednesday, October 7, and we’re celebrating 10 YEARS of building community, creating opportunity, and making room at the table. 🥳

Join us for an energizing evening of new connections, familiar faces, and plenty of reasons to celebrate.

📅 Wednesday, October 7
⏰ 5:30 to 7:30 PM
📍 Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
🎟️ Free and drop-in friendly!

Bring a friend, bring your business cards, and come ready to connect. Nos vemos allí! 🙌

Special thanks to our Event Sponsor, Lane Small Business Development Center, for supporting this celebration and the LPC community.

Thank you to our partners! Lane Workforce Partnership, Collaborative EDO, Oregon Community Foundation, Springfield Chamber of Commerce

Opportunities for contractors!!

Bid Locker by Bid Locker Inc Bid Locker is an e-procurement platform and bid opportunity search engine, built to help you work with your agency partners and discover new contracting opportunities fast.

Interested in a franchise opportunity? Get more info at this upcoming event.