Last week, IFA Chairman Jack Earle led a delegation of franchisors and franchisees to meet with lawmakers in Puerto Rico on proposed anti-franchise legislation.
 Over the course of two days, the delegation met with numerous influential legislators, including both the President of the Senate and the President of the House of Representatives.
 The delegation also had a positive meeting with Marcos Rodriguez Emma, Chief of Staff to Governor Luis Fortuño.

In addition to discussing how the proposed legislation would curtail the growth of franchised businesses in Puerto Rico, the delegation also delivered the message of how franchising could be used to create jobs and boost the local economy.
 According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, Puerto Rico presently has an unemployment rate of approximately 16.1%, the highest amongst the 50 states and the territories monitored by the Department.

Traveling to Puerto Rico with Chairman Earle were Mark Jameson, Senior Vice President at FASTSIGNS International, Brian Parker, Vice President of Emerging Markets and New Business at Choice Hotels International, Ed Conklin, Senior Director of Government Relations at McDonald’s, Jason Straczewski, Senior Director of Government Relations at the IFA, and Wayne Weikel, Director of State Government Relations at the IFA.
 Additionally, the delegation was joined by Lyle Swanson, President of Subway Island Development, the local Subway master developer, Carlos Morell, Vice President New Business Strategies at Caribbean Restaurants, LLC, a Burger King franchisee in Puerto Rico, Marlene Fernández, Vice President Government Relations at Arcos Dorados, the McDonald’s master developer in Latin and South America, Ricardo Rivera, Vice President of Franchise and Business Opportunities, Inc., a local franchisor of multiple businesses, Jose Aponte Carro, Executive Vice President at FransGlobal, franchisor of local restaurant The Taco Maker, and Gadiel Lebrón, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Restaurant Association.

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is beginning its third year of a four year legislative session.
 The proposed bills – House Bill 3059 and Senate Bill 1872 – remain in the committees of primary jurisdiction.

For further information, contact Wayne Weikel – 202-662-0792.