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IFA’s @OurFranchise Tour Highlights Importance of Emerging Franchise Brands in New Orleans, La.

Cresanti Highlights Franchising’s Agenda for Growth and Innovation on Nationwide Tour

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 – International Franchise Association (IFA) President and CEO Robert Cresanti, CFE, today highlighted the importance of growth and innovation during several visits with local franchise business owners in New Orleans, La.

Cresanti’s trip is part of the nationwide @OurFranchise Tour highlighting how local franchise business owners and their employees are supporting local communities and creating jobs and business ownership opportunities. Cresanti is also attending IFA’s Emerging Franchisor Conference, designed for franchise businesses looking to connect, innovate and evolve their brands to the next level.

“Franchisees are developing new concepts and innovative ideas to grow their businesses in their local communities like Smoothie King and Walk On’s Bistreaux & Bar based right here in Louisiana,” Cresanti said. “Americans from all walks of life turn to franchising to find first jobs, start new businesses and learn skills that lead to successful careers. The @OurFranchise campaign captures the real, positive impact of the franchise model and speaks to the level of economic contribution franchise owners continue to bring to the nation’s economy.”

While in New Orleans, Cresanti also called on newly elected local officials, Congress and the new administration to recognize the importance of franchising as they set their priorities for 2017, highlighting how franchising provides an engine for growth and a uniquely accessible business model for people who want to realize the American Dream of owning their own business.

“Franchise businesses create jobs, support communities and provide anyone who is willing to work hard with an opportunity to own their own business,” Cresanti said, noting that franchising contributes $674.3 billion to the United States economy and supports 7.6 million jobs. He further pointed out that, according newly released IFA data, Louisiana has over 11,000 franchises across the state and supports 115.9K jobs.

This is the fifth stop of the nationwide @OurFranchise Tour, with previous stops in Colorado, Illinois, Virginia and Texas. 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 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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