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WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 14, 2005 – Seeking congressional support for small-business health plans, lawsuit reform and easier access to business ownership for veterans, more than 300 franchise business leaders fanned out across Capitol Hill this week urging lawmakers to address their key concerns.

The group was the largest delegation of International Franchise Association grassroots activists to visit Congress in the six-year history of the association’s annual Franchise Appreciation Day celebration. Recognized as the “Voice of Franchising,” IFA is the world’s oldest and largest trade group representing the franchising sector.  Its membership includes more than 1,000 franchise systems, 8,000 franchisees and 400 suppliers who work in a diverse sector that spans 75 different industries. “Franchised small businesses today provide jobs for more than 18 million Americans,” IFA Pres. Matthew Shay said.  “The critical need for affordable health insurance, a balanced legal system and improved access to entrepreneurial opportunities for our nation’s veterans are leading concerns among the franchising community and the driving reasons these leaders feel compelled to leave their businesses and come to Washington ask Congress for help.”

U.S. House Small Business Committee Chairman Donald Manzullo of Illinois was honored by the association with its Legislator of the Year Award Monday evening for his work advancing and protecting franchised small businesses across the nation. The delegation included representatives from all segments of IFA’s membership: franchisees, franchisors and suppliers.

Editor’s Note: Names and contact information of participating business leaders by state and community is available by contacting the IFA Media Department.  Available at www.franchise.org are photos of Rep. Donald Manzullo (left) accepting the Legislator of the Year award from IFA Chairman Richard Rennick; IFA President Matthew Shay.  Additionally, statistics on the size and impact of franchising (The Economic Impact of Franchised Businesses by PricewaterhouseCoopers) are posted there as well.

Matthew Shay:

Chairman Donald Manzullo (R-Ill.):

Chairman Donald Manzullo (R-Ill.) receiving award from IFA Chairman Dick Rennick