FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Matthew Haller, 202-662-0770

Jenna Weisbord, 202-662-0766

mhaller@franchise.org

jweisbord@franchise.org

IFA STATEMENT ON DAVID WEIL CONFIRMATION TO U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WAGE & HOUR DIVISION

WASHINGTON, April 28, 2014—On behalf of the nation’s 825,000 franchise small businesses and the nearly 18 million workers they support, the International Franchise Association today expressed disappointment after the Senate confirmed David Weil to the post of Administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage & Hour Division.

In a letter sent to all members of the Senate, IFA stressed that Weil’s confirmation to such a critical policy-making post is an irresponsible and reckless decision that threatens the stability of the American economy as he has demonstrated hostility and bias towards the franchise industry and towards employers in general.

“Dr. Weil has consistently targeted the franchise industry in his writing, accusing franchise companies of being a “fissured industry” that intentionally separates operations and responsibilities between franchisees and franchisors in order to neglect their obligations to workers,” said IFA President & CEO Steve Caldeira. “In leading the Wage & Hour Division, Weil will likely continue to target franchise businesses for selective enforcement of labor regulations, in lieu of responding to real complaints of illegal activity by employers.”

IFA will continue to advocate on behalf of the franchise industry, while educating policymakers how the franchise model continues to outpace the overall growth of the U.S. economy. The growth of the franchise industry has resulted in tens of thousands of new small businesses, while generating career and business ownership opportunities for workers and aspiring entrepreneurs that are continuing to navigate through this still very fragile, economic recovery.

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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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