FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Jenna Weisbord, 202-662-0766

jweisbord@franchise.org

@franchising411

IFA CALLS ON HILLARY CLINTON TO RECOGNIZE THAT FRANCHISE BUSINESSES OFFER A FAIR SHOT TO THE AMERICAN DREAM

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2015 –- As Hillary Clinton prepares to deliver a major policy speech on Sat. June 14, one of the four “pillars” of her speech will reportedly outline her beliefs about how to strengthen the economy. In advance of that speech, International Franchise Association President & CEO Steve Caldeira, CFE, issued the following statement reminding her how franchise small businesses are a locomotive of economic growth, outpacing economy-wide growth across a number of business sectors and offering Americans of all backgrounds (including veterans, minorities and women) a fair shot at the opportunity to own a piece of the American dream.

“America’s 780,000 U.S. franchise establishments support nearly 8.9 million direct jobs. Employment in franchise businesses is expected to grow this year in retail businesses, restaurants, hotels, automotive, business services, personal services, real estate and commercial and residential services by 2.9 percent.

“On behalf of franchisees on every Main Street in America, we call on Hillary Clinton to embrace policies that recognize America’s franchise businesses are a proven vehicle that creates a fair shot at the American Dream for every American by having the opportunity to own their own local small business, hire their own employees and be responsible for setting the wages and schedules for their employees, while simultaneously giving so much back philanthropically to their local communities.

“As Hillary Clinton travels the country, she’ll have multiple opportunities to meet these job-producing, local small business owners. We truly hope that she will listen to the concerns of America’s local franchise small business owners and their employees, not just the paid, union-backed protesters trying to carry-out a blatant, politically-motivated agenda on behalf of organized labor.”

###

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.

1900 K St., N.W., Suite 700 Washington, DC 20006 USA

Phone: +1 202/628-8000 Fax: +1 202/628-0812 www.franchise.org