For immediate release

Contact: Alisa Harrison, 202-628-8000


Highlights Economic Impact of Franchising


WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 15, 2008—The third in a series of advertisements highlighting the economic impact of franchising began appearing today in leading Washington, D.C. publications, the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) announced. 



The advertisement will appear multiple times in Roll Call and National Journal and will coincide with the presence of the 550 IFA members in Washington, D.C. this week for the IFA public affairs conference—the 9th Annual Franchise Appreciation Day. While in Washington, IFA members will meet with members of Congress and the Administration to highlight franchising’s growth in recent years. A recent economic analysis shows that the franchising sector of the economy expanded by over 18 percent from 2001 to 2005, providing 20 million jobs and $2.3 billion to the U.S. economy.



The ad features Dallas-based Jani-King, the number one commercial cleaning franchise in the world. Jerry Crawford, Jani-King president, and Tom Enmon, a master franchisee in the Gulf Coast region, are shown in a sports stadium to represent the many sports complexes, including the New Orleans Superdome, that are part of the company’s 60,000 diverse customers. The ad explains how the franchising model helps local business owners connect with national brands, which provide training and marketing support for the franchisee. The ads explains that this support helped Enmon grow his business from one unit in 1988 to 450 throughout the Gulf Coast Region today. 



“Franchising is important to the nation in terms of jobs, economic output and community development,” said Matthew Shay, IFA president and CEO. “Congress is considering many laws that could make or break our industry, including immigration, health care, tax issues and a host of labor related issues. By featuring real franchise owners, this ad campaign helps us to educate Congress about franchising and how certain law could hamper the economic growth we have seen in recent years.”



Shay added that a new Web site, www.buildingopportunity.com, provides access to the IFA Educational Foundation’s “Economic Impact of Franchised Businesses” report prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which can be searched by congressional districts.


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About The International Franchise Association 

The International Franchise Association, the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising, is the preeminent voice and acknowledged leader for the industry worldwide. Approaching a half-century of service with a growing membership of more than 1,300 franchise systems, 10,000-plus franchisees and more than 500 firms that supply goods and services to the industry, IFA protects, enhances and promotes franchising by advancing the values of integrity, respect, trust, commitment to excellence, honesty and diversity. For more information, visit the IFA Web site www.franchise.org.


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