FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Alisa Harrison, 202-628-8000
Matthew Haller, 202-662-0770
aharrison@franchise.org
mhaller@franchise.org
@franchising411
IFA SUBMITS COMMENTS OPPOSING SUGARY DRINK BAN TO NYC HEALTH BOARD
WASHINGTON, July 23, 2012 – The International Franchise Association today submitted formal comments to the New York City Board of Health opposing Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed ban on sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces, arguing the proposed ban could lead franchise owners to raise prices or lay-off workers to cover compliance and operating costs.
“Limiting the sale of beverages to consumers will do nothing more than force small business franchise restaurant owners to raise prices on other items to account for the loss in sales, or worse yet, consider laying off workers, and neither option is a good option,” IFA Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public policy Judith Thorman states in the letter. “Additionally, restaurant owners will incur many operating costs in order to comply with the proposed rule’s requirements. These include the purchase of additional equipment or remodeling expenses, which will be significant and borne by thousands of businesses.”
IFA has voiced its opposition to the ban as part of New Yorkers for Beverage Choices, a coalition of concerned businesses, community groups and individuals. In New York State, franchise businesses support more than 784,000 jobs and $46 billion in economic output.
“New York City policymakers should shift their focus to improving the business environment for small business franchise restaurant owners who provide many entry-level and managerial jobs for the city’s residents, rather than proposing regulations that would harm small business owners and impact the freedom of their consumers to make their own product choices,” said Thorman.
To read the full letter, click here.
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About the International Franchise Association
The International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. Celebrating over 50 years of excellence, education and advocacy, IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising. Through its media awareness campaign highlighting the theme, Franchising: Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time, IFA promotes the economic impact of the more than 825,000 franchise establishments, which support nearly 18 million jobs and $2.1 trillion of economic output for the U.S. economy. IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development.