IFA Applauds Launch of Congressional Franchise Caucus at 2016 FAN Annual Meeting

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact:

Matthew Haller, 202-460-8356

Jenna Weisbord, 310-995-0839

mhaller@franchise.org

jweisbord@franchise.org

@franchising411


IFA Applauds Launch of Congressional Franchise Caucus at 2016 FAN Annual Meeting


WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 – The International Franchise Association (IFA) applauds the launch of the bipartisan Congressional Franchise Caucus (CFC) by co-chairs Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Representative Collin Peterson (D-MN).  Both congressmen are leaders on the issues important to franchise businesses and understand the vast contributions franchise small businesses make in their communities.The IFA also appreciates the bipartisan support of the Caucus by the founding members, including Representatives Ami Bera (D-CA), Barbara Comstock (R-VA), George Holding (R-NC), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Phil Roe (R-TN), and Scott Tipton (R-CO).


The Congressional Franchise Caucus will highlight the role that America’s 733,000 franchise businesses and their 7.6 million employees and $674 billion in economic output play in our nation’s economy and every congressional district. The Caucus will provide a forum for franchise business owners and their employees to discuss the real stories behind franchise businesses and detail how they are stimulating economic growth, creating jobs, and giving back to their communities.


In discussing their reasons for joining the CFC, several Members of Congress highlighted the importance of franchising to the economy. As co-chair Rodney Davis (R-IL) said, “My family has owned and operated McDonald’s restaurants in Illinois for years, and so I understand how franchise businesses meet countless needs of consumers and serve their communities in so many ways. Small businesses are the nation’s economic backbone, and franchises continue to grow faster and create more jobs than the non-franchise economy. Elected leaders need to do everything they can to support franchise businesses, and I look forward to joining other leaders of the new Congressional Franchise Caucus to further engage the franchise community across the country.”


Echoing that sentiment, co-chair Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) noted, “For new business owners with little business experience, franchising gives them a successful business model to follow, which can relieve some of the uncertainty associated with starting a business venture from scratch. From fast food restaurants, to gas stations and convenience stores, the franchise business model is an integral part of the U.S. economy. Franchises also provide minorities, women, and veterans with a better chance of owning their own business.”


The charter members of the Caucus also emphasized the importance of franchising to their communities. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) stated, “Men and women across my district save and invest in franchises so they can be business owners and improve their own lives and our economy. I have visited many franchises throughout Virginia’s 10th Congressional District and these businesses have created 26,000 jobs right here in our back yard. That is why I am proud to be a founding member of the Congressional Franchise Caucus. It is important to educate members of Congress about franchising—the independence between franchisor and franchisee, the number of jobs supported by franchising, and the major economic impact to our districts and the national economy. I look forward to working with my colleagues to identify ways in which Congress can foster a regulatory environment in which the franchise economy can thrive.”


Rep. George Holding (R-NC) noted, “Just in North Carolina, franchising supports nearly 294,000 jobs spread out across 25,000 businesses. I look forward to working in conjunction with the Franchise Caucus, as it will serve as a platform for Members to discuss the issues facing franchises across the country and to develop legislative solutions to support these businesses and the customers they serve.”


Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) explained that, “for many Americans, owning a franchise can be their avenue into the middle-class. I believe that Congress should be doing everything it can to support these small businesses, many of which are women and minority owned, so I am proud to help launch the Congressional Franchise Caucus. By providing franchise owners and employees with a venue to discuss their unique business challenges, we will better understand ways to foster increased entrepreneurship and job growth.”


Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN) stated, “I joined the Franchise Caucus because I’ve seen firsthand the economic contributions of franchisees. The franchise model gives hundreds of thousands of Americans the opportunity to become entrepreneurs while creating over seven million jobs around the country. Franchising today faces several serious threats, so it’s critical we raise awareness of how franchising contributes to achieving the American Dream.”



Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) added that “franchisees are entrepreneurs, risk-takers, and business community leaders throughout the North Coast, as well as every community in America, and they deserve a Caucus that understands their circumstances. I’m proud to be a founding member of the Congressional Franchise Caucus to ensure that all franchise owners and employees have the opportunity to share their stories with Congress and to allow an open dialogue with my colleagues on how to treat this important industry fairly.”


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About the International Franchise Association

Celebrating 56 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 733,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 7.6 million direct jobs, $674.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 2.5 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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