FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Matthew Haller, 202-662-0770
Jenna Weisbord, 202-662-0766
mhaller@franchise.org
jweisbord@franchise.org
IFA RECOGNIZED WITH VETERAN AND MILITARY SPOUSE EMPLOYMENT AWARD
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2013—The International Franchise Association received the Capital One Award for Small Business Veteran and Military Spouse Employment at the 3rd Annual Lee Anderson Awards Dinner. The dinner, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program, recognizes leadership by a small business or organization that hires veterans, transitions service members and military spouses by honoring the sacrifices they have made in service to our nation.
“The success of Operation Enduring Opportunity is directly attributed to the people who make up the franchise community; franchisors, franchisees and their employees − many themselves veterans − working in the communities they serve and where they make a huge impact each and every day,” said IFA President & CEO Steve Caldeira. “IFA has a long and proven history of supporting our veterans and together with IFA members, we will continue to help transition servicemen and women to the civilian workforce. The IFA is also committed to educating its members so they can better understand and leverage the unique skills and experience our veterans have to offer.”
On Nov. 5, 2013 IFA announced that 151,557 veterans and military spouses have entered franchising since 2011, including 5,192 as franchise business owners. These numbers dramatically surpass the commitment made by the IFA two years ago in launching the Operation Enduring Opportunity initiative within its VetFran program to hire and recruit 80,000 veterans, wounded warriors and military spouses by the end of 2014.
The Chamber, in conjunction with the National Chamber Foundation, launched Hiring Our Heroes in 2011, to help veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment. The program continues to improve public-private sector coordination in local communities, where veterans and their families are returning every day.
Non-profits and service agencies working in veteran and military spouse unemployment nominated each finalist, and a peer committee of veterans and military spouses selected the winners. IFA and VetFran member, La Quinta Inns & Suites was also recognized at the event for their hiring and steadfast support of military spouses in their search for meaningful employment in the private sector.
IFA’s VetFran is a strategic initative launched in 1991, and includes 613 IFA member companies offering financial incentives, training and mentoring to veterans interested in small business ownership and/or a career path in franchising. For more information, visit www.VetFran.com .
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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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