New Task Force Named to Review Ways to Enhance IFA Franchise Relations Programs

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact:

Alisa Harrison, 202-628-8000

Matthew Haller, 202-662-0770

aharrison@franchise.org

mhaller@franchise.org

@franchising411


NEW TASK FORCE NAMED TO REVIEW WAYS TO ENHANCE IFA FRANCHISE RELATIONS PROGRAMS


WASHINGTON, Sept.12, 2012 – The inaugural meeting of the IFA Franchise Relations Best Practices Task Force, charged with reviewing and potentially recommending ways to enhance IFA’s self-regulatory programs, was held today at the conclusion of the 13th Annual Public Affairs Conference.


The taskforce was appointed by IFA President & CEO Steve Caldeira to conduct a thorough review of IFA’s current self-regulatory framework, including the IFA Code of Ethics, educational programs focused on franchise relations, mediation programs and services, and committee structure and processes. After the initial review, the task force will make potential recommendations, if needed, to update these programs and services and recommend new initiatives, including increasing member engagement with the objective of reducing franchise disputes.


“Strong franchise relations are without question essential for a healthy and thriving franchise industry,” said Caldeira. “To effectively fulfill our mission to protect, enhance and promote franchising, this task force will explore ways to potentially strengthen franchise relations within a self-regulatory framework.”


Caldeira said that the IFA Code of Ethics was first adopted shortly after the establishment of the IFA in 1960 and became the basis of the IFA self-regulatory program, which founding members established as the cornerstone of sound franchise relations. To ensure the Code of Ethics and other self-regulating programs and services reflect the current conditions of the industry, they have been reviewed periodically over the years by IFA leaders. Other self-regulatory programs include: IFA’s Ombudsman Program; a mediation service, the IFA Franchise Relations Committee; the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program; and FranGuard, a franchise sales management and compliance program.


The taskforce is comprised of 12 franchisor members and 12 franchisee members with a variety of franchise systems participating. Ken Walker, former IFA Chairman and former CEO of Driven Brands, Inc. is chair of the Franchisor Working Group, along with Joe Bourdow, senior advisor at Valpak as Vice-chair. The Franchisee Working Group is chaired by Aziz Hashim, a multi-unit franchisee and Saunda Kitchen, IFA Franchisee Forum Chair and Mr. Rooter franchisee, serves as Vice-chair.


The task force will provide an initial update to the IFA Board of Directors at its next meeting during the IFA Annual Convention in February in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will provide any potential recommendations to the IFA Board at its June, 2013 Summer Board Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.


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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.

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