IFA™s @OurFranchise Tour Highlights Opportunities for Veterans in Virginia

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact:

Matthew Haller, 202-662-0770

Jenna Weisbord, 202-662-0766

mhaller@franchise.org

jweisbord@franchise.org

@franchising411


IFA’s @OurFranchise Tour Highlights Opportunities for Veterans in Virginia


Nationwide Tour Showcases Franchising’s Agenda for Growth and Opportunity


WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 – International Franchise Association (IFA) President and CEO Robert Cresanti, CFE, today led a “Franchise Forum” in Norfolk and a “Franchise Crawl” of local businesses at Virginia Beach Town Center in Virginia. Both events, part of the IFA’s nationwide“@OurFranchise Tour,” highlighted how local franchise business owners and their employees are supporting America’s veterans by creating jobs and business ownership opportunities at their franchise.


“Across Virginia, franchise businesses have long been committed to providing opportunities for veterans, and fostering their dreams of business ownership,” Cresanti said. “These heroes are equipped with valuable skills, but many find it challenging to re-enter the traditional workforce here at home. Franchising helps these leaders – in the community in Virginia and across the country – become business owners, mentors and role models.”


Cresanti pointed out that since 2011, more than 238,000 veterans or their spouses have found jobs in franchising nationwide, including 6,000 who have become new franchise business owners.


@OurFranchise Tour Highlights Veteran Opportunities


While in Virginia, Cresanti spoke to government officials, media and dozens of local franchisors and franchisees – specifically highlighting how franchising provides an attractive opportunity for our service men and women who want to realize the American Dream of owning their own business. 


Cresanti, along with Marc Steiner, owner of FranNet, CDR, USN (ret), co-hosted a “Franchise Forum” in Norfolk highlighting initiatives for veterans to become small business owners. Additional panel participants included John Hewitt, president, CEO and chairman of Liberty Tax Service; Chris Grandpre, chairman and CEO of Outdoor Living Brands; and, Tommy Crisler, franchise owner, Liberty Tax Service, LTC, USAF (ret).


After the forum, Cresanti led a three-stop “Franchise Crawl” through Virginia Beach Town Center, meeting with local franchise owners, store managers and employees to talk about opportunities in the industry. Cresanti and Steiner visited Jimmy Johns, Cold Stone Creamery and made a mobile stop, meeting with franchise owner Dean Ives of Mosquito Squad, to learn more about how these local businesses provide opportunities to members of their community, as well as support for the local economy.  According to the IFA, franchising contributes $994 billion to the U.S. economy and supports 9.1 million jobs, including over 287,000 in Virginia.


As part of the 2016 @OurFranchise Tour, Cresanti will continue to visit with local franchisees, franchisors, employees, business and community leaders, and elected officials across the country to discuss the impact of the franchise business model as a driver of economic growth, job creation and individual opportunity. For more information, visit www.AtOurFranchise.org.


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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 800,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 9.1 million direct jobs, $994 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

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