FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Matthew Haller, 202-662-0770
Jenna Weisbord, 202-662-0766
mhaller@franchise.org
jweisbord@franchise.org
IFA CALLS ON CONGRESS TO SUPPORT MEASURES TO FUND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2013—On behalf of the nation’s 825,000 franchise small businesses and the nearly 18 million workers they support, the International Franchise Association today called on Congress to support measures to fund the federal government and to raise the nation’s debt ceiling.
“Franchise business owners want their elected officials on both sides of the aisle to put aside the partisan rancor and negative rhetoric so we can get this economy moving again,” said IFA President and CEO Steve Caldeira in a letter delivered to all congressional leaders. “We have seen this happen before, and without question Congress and the Administration’s inability to come to agreement on long-term economic policy puts downward pressure on job growth and business development in the franchise sector. Failure to raise the debt ceiling would almost certainly plunge the economy back into deep recession and fiscal calamity.”
Caldeira emphasized that the government shutdown and the uncertainty over raising the current debt ceiling are hurting franchises today and highlighted the Franchise Business Index, a gauge of the overall health of the franchise sector, which fell significantly during the three-month debt ceiling crisis in 2011.
“These issues command immediate and decisive bi-partisan action to prevent further damage to the U.S. economy,” Caldeira stated. He explained the uncertainty deepens with each day that the government shutdown is allowed to continue and “consumer uncertainty created by the shutdown is driving down sales and revenues for franchises nationwide.”
Caldeira urged Congress to help America’s small business owners avoid a similar fate this year by working together to find solutions to fund the federal government and prevent a default on our nation’s debts.
To read the full letter, please click here.
###
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.
1900 K St., N.W., Suite 700 Washington, DC 20006 USA
Phone: +1 202/628-8000 Fax: +1 202/628-0812 www.franchise.org