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Jenna Weisbord, 202-662-0766

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ARIZONA FILES BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF IFA LAWSUIT SEEKING TO STOP FRANCHISE DISCRIMINATION IN SEATTLE

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 15, 2015 – The International Franchise Association, the world’s largest organization representing franchise owners, is applauding the State of Arizona for filing an amicus brief with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in support of IFA’s effort to halt discrimination against franchisees by the City of Seattle. Last year, Seattle approved an increase in the minimum wage that classifies franchisees as large corporations rather than the small, locally owned businesses that they are, an artificial distinction that will force franchise businesses to boost their workers’ wages faster than other small businesses.

In his brief, Arizona Solicitor General John R. Lopez, IV says that the Seattle ordinance is discriminatory and directly burdens 13 franchisors based in Arizona and their 54 franchise units operating in Seattle. The brief also asserts that the ordinance violates the U.S. constitution’s commerce clause as well as a mirror clause in Washington State’s constitution. “Arizona therefore seeks to ensure that its resident businesses are safe from discriminatory laws in other jurisdictions while also protecting the appropriate sphere of local regulation, including non-discriminatory wage and hour laws like those in Arizona,” the brief states.

“The City of Seattle’s action discriminates against franchisees, not just in Seattle but across the country,” said IFA President & CEO Steve Caldeira, CFE. “Arizona should be praised for standing up for franchise businesses everywhere.” IFA’s lawsuit against the City of Seattle was filed in 2014 and is currently pending in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

To view IFA’s lawsuit, click HERE. To view Arizona’s amicus brief, click HERE.

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About the International Franchise Association

Celebrating 55 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 780,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.9 million direct jobs, $890 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology and business development.

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