Government Relations
Our Mission
The mission of IFA’s Government Relations Department is to preserve and enhance the legislative and regulatory climate for the growth of franchising worldwide by providing services and representation that only IFA can achieve. The Department achieves this by monitoring legislative and regulatory activity, conducting lobbying and grassroots campaigns, participating in national and local coalitions, creating forums and educational tools for experts in the franchising community, and promoting positive relations between franchisors, franchisees, and elected and appointed government officials and employees.
Read IFA's SOLUTIONS FOR THE ECONOMY - Leveraging the Strength of Franchising to Expedite Job Growth
UNLOCKING THE CREDIT MARKET FOR FRANCHISED BUSINESSES
Ask Congress to Focus on Efforts to Encourage Lending and Do More For Small Business
Recent economic stimulus legislation spends nearly $800 billion, but only .08 percent is dedicated toward assisting small businesses.
Visit IFA's Capital Access Toolkit to learn more about how you can communicate your concerns on the credit market to Congress.
HOW BIG IS FRANCHISING?
Learn more about our Economic Impact of Franchised Businesses in the U.S. at www.buildingopportunity.comPress Release Section
Statement of the IFA on the Confirmation of Karen Gordon Mills as Administrator of the SBA
IFA Endorse Federal Restaurant Nutritional Labeling Bill
Franchising Outpaces Other Sectors of Economy in Growth, JobsNew Awareness Campaign Highlights the Economic Importance of Franchising
New Advertisement Highlights Economic Importance of Franchising
New IFA Ad Features Top Commercial Cleaning Franchise
FTC Compliance Guide Now Available
The FTC Compliance Guide is intended to help franchisors comply with the Federal Trade Commission’s amended Franchise Rule. Since July 1, 2007, franchisors could comply with the FTC’s disclosure requirements by using any one of the following formats: (1) the original Franchise Rule; (2) the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (“UFOC”); or (3) the amended Franchise Rule.
Once a franchisor selects a disclosure format, it must use that format and no other. As of July 1, 2008, however, all franchisors must use only the amended Franchise Rule. This Guide does not modify the amended Rule. It explains the requirements of the amended Rule.Moreover, it does not exhaustively cover every requirement contained in the amended Rule, but focuses on amended Rule provisions that depart from the familiar UFOC Guidelines. This Guide also includes sample disclosures that illustrate the new provisions and will be useful in preparing compliant disclosures.
FTC Downloads
Compliance Guide: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/franchise/bus70.pdf
Rule FAQs: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/franchise/amended-rule-faqs.shtm
Franchise Rule Opinions: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/franchise/netadopin.shtm
ISSUES & ACTION: What IFA is Lobbying On Right Now
IFA Joins Industry Allies to Oppose DISCLOSE Act. Read the letter here. - May 27, 2010
IFA Members Testify at "Heroes of Small Business" Hearing. Read the statements of Lea Bailes (Guier Fence) and Brian Greenley (MAACO) - May 26, 2010
Joint Trade Association Letter on Durbin Interchange Fee Amendment - May 12, 2010
IFA Key Vote Letter on Shelby-McConnell Amendment to Consumber Financial Reform Bill - May 6, 2010
IFA Encourages WA State to Improve Franchise Regulations - April 27, 2010
Concord, MA, to Debate Formula Retail Restriction. Read IFA's Letter of Opposition. - April 21, 2010
Massachusetts Ruling Threatens Viability of Franchise Businesses. IFA and industry allies urge state legislators to improve the law by passing HB 1844. Read the Ruling and IFA's Press Statement. April 7, 2010
IFA Comments on OSHA's Proposed Recordkeeping Rule - March 30, 2010
IFA & Industry Groups Technical Comments on OSHA's Proposed Recordkeeping Rule - March 30, 2010
IFA Urges Georgia Representatives to Approve Non-compete Reform Legislation - March 10, 2010
IFA Endorses Maryland Legislation to Harmonize State and Federal Franchise Regs. - March 8, 2010
IFA Urges Washington State Lawmakers to Reject Economic Nexus Standard Letter to Senators and issue brief.- March 3, 2010
IFA Comments on Congressional Hearing on State Tax Nexus - February 4, 2010
IFA Signs Coalition Letter to Protect FTC Rulemaking Procedures - December 8, 2009
IFA Comments on Pomeroy Death Tax Repeal Bill - Good first step, but Senate version is better for franchised small businesses. - December 1, 2009
IFA Submits Comments to EEOC on ADA Rulemaking - November 23, 2009
Washington State Adopts Revised Franchise Rule - Brings state regulations into better conformity with Revised FTC Franchise Rule. - November 4, 2009
IFA Urges Congress to Fully Repeal Death Tax - In a statement before a House Small Business Committee hearing, IFA highlighted the strain franchised small businesses will feel if the tax is allowed to come back into full force in 2011. Also, read an IFA-cosigned letter supporting legislation to repeal the estate tax. - November 9, 2009
IFA Urges Congress to Extend Depreciation Schedule - 15-year depreciation schedule for leasehold improvements, restaurant improvements and new construction, and retail improvements is set to expire at the end of 2009. - October 21, 2009
IFA Issues Guidance on California Nonresident Withholding - Steps taken recently by the Franchise Tax Board present out-of-state franchisors with critical tax planning decision. See also Summary of Memo and FTB's Letter to AAFD. - October 5, 2009
IFA Chairwoman Dina Dwyer-Owens Testifies before Congress - Urges House Small Business Committee to extend certain tax credits to help small business, and to implement a new tax credit to get veterans into franchising. September 30, 2009
IFA Files Amicus Brief in Peaberry Coffee Case - The International Franchise Association filed an amicus curiae brief in the Colorado Court of Appeals in a case involving Peaberry Coffee Franchise, Inc. At the the District Court level, the Plaintiffs’ claim under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act (“CCPA”) was dismissed, with the court holding that Plaintiffs failed to show that the challenged conduct had the required significant public impact. The IFA brief asserts that the dismissal of the CCPA claim should be affirmed because Peaberry’s disclosures in its Uniform Franchise Offering Circular fully complied with FTC franchise disclosure regulations. Therefore, the Plaintiffs’ CCPA claim is precluded under the CCPA’s express exemption. September 2, 2009
Federal Register Notice of Public Briefings on H-2B Regulations - August 26, 2009
New York Revises Rules for Franchisor Reporting Law (letter from Commissioner Woodward)- August 18, 2009
IFA Asks New York to Delay Reporting Requirement Deadline - Concerns mount and many questions remain unanswered regarding new franchisor mandate. - July 20, 2009
IFA Issues Compliance Advisory on New York Reporting Requirement for Franchisors - New law requires franchisors to provide annual transaction data regarding their in-state franchisees to the state. View the state's compliance memo here and Taxation Guidance document here. - June 26, 2009
IFA Opposes H.R. 2454 Climate Change Bill - IFA sends letter to House of Representatives designating bill as a "Key Vote" for franchising - June 25, 2009
IFA Opposes Increased Filing Fees in Rhode Island - June 24, 2009
IFA submits amicus curiae brief in Direct Buy case - Unless overturned, case could mischaracterize the franchisor-franchisee relationship and result in unjustified consequences in tax and labor law. - June 23, 2009
Congress Must Pass Business Activity Tax Simplifiction Act Now - Supreme Court chooses not to review "nexus" case, putting pressure on Congress to better define "physical presence" for tax purposes. Ask your member of Congress to support relief for franchised businesses by passing BATSA. - June 22, 2009
IFA Lends Support to Empowerment Zones, Renewal Community and Enterprise Community Enhancement Act of 2009, in letters to the House and Senate - U.S. Conf. of Mayors also Endorses HR 1677. Franchise business leaders urged to ask their Congressman to support the bill. - June 17, 2009
U.S. Conference of Mayors Endorses Resolution Illustrating Challenges of Franchising in Current Economic Climate - June 17, 2009
IFA submits amicus curiae brief in support of the petition for cert filed by The Coffee Beanery Ltd. Brief illustrates the practical, real-world effects to which the current inconsistency in manifest disregard standards exposes national franchise systems that select arbitration. - June 12, 2009
IFA Supports House Passage of Small Business Entrepreneurship Bill - May 20, 2009
IFA Endorses Package of Small Business Entrepreneurship Bills - May 6, 2009
ICE Fact Sheet - April 30, 2009
DHS Outlines increased enforcement of employers who knowingly hire illegal workers
IFA Opposes Calif. Bill Preventing Credit Checks in Employment - April 29, 2009
IFA Opposes Calif. Mandatory Paid Sick Leave Bill - April 22, 2009
IFA Opposes Nevada Non-Compete Bill - April 24, 2009
IFA Outlines Concerns to the House and Senate with the Budget Resolution - April 2, 2009
PA Lawmakers Urged to Clarify Independent Contractor Legislation - April 2, 2009
West Virginia Delegates Urged to Oppose Menu Labeling Mandate - April 2, 2009
IFA Supports Budget Amendment to Provide Death Tax Relief - Effort by Sens. Lincoln and Kyl would provide needed relief before death tax returns in full force in 2011. Read IFA's "Key Vote" letter to all U.S. Senators. - March 31, 2009
IFA Outlines Steps to Encourage Small Business Lending - March 24, 2009
Florida Lawmakers Urged to Abandon Harmful Arbitration Bill - "Consumer and Small Business Arbitration Act" likely invalidates all pre-dispute agreements to arbitrate. March 12, 2009
IFA Endorses Veterans Self-Employment Act of 2009 - HR 942 would allow veterans to apply a portion of his or her educational benefits to defray the portion of a franchise purchase cost attributable to training. March 6, 2009
SBA Memorandum on SOP "Goodwill" Revisions
House Small Business Committee Letter to SBA on SOP "Goodwill" Revisions
IFA Letter to SBA on SOP "Goodwill" Revisions
IFA comments on the conference report for H.R. 1, the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), February 13, 2009
We are supportive of efforts to address our faltering economy and we appreciate the work of House and Senate lawmakers to create a package of enhancements to the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan guarantee program.
IFA Urges Additional Relief for Franchised Small Businesses in Economic Recovery Package - In letters to House and Senate leaders, IFA stressed the importance of focusing more attention on small businesses during the ongoing consideration of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. January 27, 2009
Virginia Regulatory Conformity Bill Endorsed by IFA - In a letter to the bill's sponsor, IFA encouraged the Virginia General Assembly to adopt legislation that coordinates state franchise regulation with the revised FTC Franchise Rule. January 21, 2009
IFA Testifies Before House Small Business Committee on Economic Recovery - On January 14, 2009, IFA submitted comments to a forum on economic recovery for small businesses. January 23, 2009
IFA Key Vote on Paycheck Fairness Act - View the letter to the House. January 7, 2008
IFA Key Vote on Ledbetter Fair Pay Act - View the letter to the House. January 7, 2008
IFA Releases 5 Point Plan for Financial Recover - The IFA has developed a five-point plan that calls for increasing the amount of credit available to franchised-small businesses by strengthening secondary markets, increasing access to capital by changes in Small Business Administration loan programs, reducing tax burdens and uncertainties in the tax code that restrain business investment, making small-business health insurance more affordable and increasing support for veterans as small-business owners. Click here to view the plan. December 23, 2008
IFA Urges Department of Treasury to Improve Marketplace for Small Business Loans - The International Franchise Association today urged Treasury Secretary Paulson to consider the critical role franchised-small businesses can play in driving economic recovery and to take action under the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) to improve the marketplace for small-business loans. Click here to view the letter. December 23, 2008
IFA URGES NEW CONGRESS TO OPPOSE THE EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT December 3, 2008 “This legislation is not labor reform,” David French, IFA vice president of Government Relations said in letters to every member of the House and Senate. ...
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IFA Urges State Leaders to Oppose Burdensome Menu Labeling Proposal - In a letter to the Council of State Governments Committee on Suggested State Legislation, IFA cautioned state lawmakers against endorsing recent California nutrition disclosure legislation as a model policy. December 2, 2008
IFA Comments on the FLMA Proposed Rule Changed - November 19, 2008
IFA Releases Election 2008 Analysis and Scorecard - November 5, 2008
IFA Speaks Out Against Expansion of New Jersey Franchise Law - View IFA's testimony to the New Jersey Assembly Comittee on Commerce and economic Development. Oct 28, 2008
IFA Key Vote on Depreciation - View the letter to the Senate. Sep 23, 2008
IFA Comments on Australia's Commonwealth Parliament Inquiry into the Franchising Code of Conduct - View the comments. Sept 19, 2008
IFA Comments on ADA Title III Proposed Regulations - View the comments. Aug 18, 2008
IFA Files Friend of the Court Brief in Georgia - View the brief and view our press release. July 31, 2008
Los Angeles QSR Moratorium is Arbitrary and Unfair On Monday, July 28, IFA voiced its strong opposition to a Los Angeles City Council proposal to place a one-year moratorium on quick service restaurants in certain parts of the city. The measure would give the Director of Planning the authority to define “fast food establishment” for the purposes of the ordinance and would apply to the following areas: West Adams, Baldwin Hills, Leimert, South Los Angeles, and Southeast Los Angeles.
H-2B Workforce Coalition Comments on DOL Proposal - July 9, 2008
IFA Urges House Judiciary Committee to Provide Relief from Aggressive State Tax Nexus Claims - In a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, IFA President and CEO Matt Shay illustrated why Congress must pass the Business Activity Tax Simplification Act to bring clarity to state tax laws. The current environment is especially burdensome to small franchisors and threatens the ability to provide sufficient support to franchisees domiciled in other states. June 19, 2008
IFA Expresses Concern on New Jersey Franchise Bill – Legislation would alter the definition of “place of business” for many mobile location franchises. Affected members should reach out to Assemblyman Joe Cryan to express concern. Please contact Troy Flanagan (tflanagan@franchise.org) if you have any questions. June 11, 2008
IFA Seeks Clarification of Louisiana Independent Contractor Bill – In a letter to bill sponsor state Rep. Patricia Smith, IFA points out potential effect on franchising and asks for the bill to be refocused so that small franchised businesses in the state are not harmed.
IFA Vice President of Government Relations Statement Regarding Committee Passage of Fashion Industry Immigration Bill- May 14, 2008
IFA Voices Support for Rhode Island Bills to Restore Sensible Franchise Regulation to the State – In response to the overly broad Fair Dealership Act of 2007, Rhode Island state Sen. Daniel Connors (D) and House Majority Leader Gordon Fox (D) have filed SB 2592 and HB 8150, respectively, to undo many of the onerous provisions of the current law. IFA sent letters to the bills’ sponsors (Connors and Fox) as well as key legislative leaders voicing strong support for the proposals. Concerned IFA members are encouraged to contact legislative leaders to support these needed legislative reforms. April 30, 2008
Mass. Governor Asked to Veto Harmful Wage Dispute Legislation – Bill would categorize all wage disputes as “evil” actions by employers and levy damagingly large fines. Gov. Deval Patrick vetoed an earlier version of the bill and IFA is asking Patrick to again strike it down. April 11, 2008
Sensible Menu Labeling Proposal in Calif. Supported by IFA – In a letter to Calif. Assembly Health Committee Chairman Mervyn Dymally (D-Compton), IFA urged support for this flexible approach to providing consumers with nutritional information at chain restaurants. The bill provides multiple ways in which restaurants can convey this information. April 2, 2008
IFA Urges Court to Strike Down Costly Employer Health Mandate – Franchised small businesses would face a devastating patchwork of local mandates if a San Francisco mandated health plan is allowed to stand. The friend of the court brief was filed by IFA, along with the Society for Human Resource Management and the National Association of Manufacturers. To view IFA’s press release regarding the brief, please click here March 28, 2008
Franchise Business Leader and Other Small Businesses Defend Bill Clarifying State Taxing Scheme – In a letter to U.S. House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Congressional witnesses who testified before the Small Business Committee last month, including Firehouse Subs Chief Financial Officer & Principal Steven Joost, reiterated their support for legislation which brings clarity to the issue of economic nexus. In recent years state tax officials have stretched the definition of “physical presence” in order to increase their tax bases. March 26, 2008
Information on Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act– March 24, 2008
Navigating the Immigration Debate: A Guide for State & Local Policymakers and Advocates- February 27, 2008
Congress Hears from Franchising on Burdensome Business Tax Issue – Speaking on behalf of the IFA, Firehouse Restaurant Group Chief Financial Officer Stephen Joost testified February 14 before the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Committee on the negative effects of non-resident states attempting to levy certain taxes on businesses without nexus. Although the committee took no official action on business activity taxes during the hearing, further discussions in Congress are expected this year to mitigate their effect on small businesses. Click here to view Mr. Joost’s testimony and here to read a transcript of the hearing.
IFA Files Amicus Brief Meyers V. Cold Stone - February 7, 2008
IFA Expresses Opposition to Florida Dispute Venue Bills – In letters to the sponsors, as well as in-person meetings in Tallahassee, IFA outlined the negative repercussions of the recently filed legislation requiring Florida to be the venue for certain actions brought by franchisors against franchisees. The bills not only invade the right of private contracts but threaten Florida’s business-friendly reputation. IFA is working with members and allied industry groups to oppose the measures. Click here to learn more about these bills and why they are bad for franchising. February 5, 2008
IFA Urges Senate Support of Bipartisan Economic Stimulus Package – Small business provisions of the package will foster business investment and job growth among small franchised businesses. Also, returning money to consumers will spur a demand for goods and services provided by franchised businesses. Contact your Senators to voice your support for this measure today! Visit IFA’s grassroots site at www.franchisingvotes.com and click on Take Action to make your voice heard. January 29, 2008
IFA Seeks Clarity in Massachusetts Independent Contractor Law – Proposed Attorney General Advisory fails to protect franchising as a legitimate business strategy in the commonwealth. To view IFA’s comments, click here January 25, 2008
South Dakota Franchise Legislation Will Harmonize State and Federal Regulations – In a Jan. 8th letter, IFA voiced its strong support for Senate Bill 52 (Knudson), which addresses key differences between the new FTC Franchise Rule and state regulations. When enacted, this bill will be a model for other states in franchise oversight. To review SB 52, please use the following link: http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2008/Bills/SB52P.pdf January 8, 2008
CALCULATOR -- The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Versus the New Surtax:Calculate the affects of the AMT repeal versus the new surtax on you and your family. Which is better for you? Let us know. Email us at gr@franchise.org. We are lobbying on this issue and want to best represent IFA members.
"Mother of All Tax Bills" Introduced in Late October: See the Draft Summary of this Major Tax Bill by Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee
Franchised and service sector businesses are increasingly the targets of union organizing due to their strong employment growth and low union representation percentages. Learn more about how the “Card Check” legislation would affect franchising. For More About Threats to Employer and Employee Choice, visit www.myprivateballot.com and to Take Action see www.franchisingvotes.com (click Take Action)
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IFA Senate Key Votes - 110th Congress