Last month, the IFA Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. convened some of our nation’s most influential lawmakers and franchise sector trailblazers together with leaders within the IFA community to harness the power of franchising and address some of the most important issues our sector faces today.
Among the many exciting discussions held throughout the 2-day event, IFA launched the Open for Opportunity (OFO) campaign to highlight member stories depicting how franchising has empowered local business owners. The OFO campaign focuses on 4 main pillars of impact—Veterans; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI); Community; and Workforce—in order to emphasize the work franchises are doing to uplift their communities.
We also unveiled a first-of-its-kind Oxford Economics assessment on the value of the franchise business model. The study surveyed more than 4,000 independent franchise owners in order to gain a well-rounded understanding of franchising in America. The report found that local ownership also translates into local knowledge and adaptability, local hiring, local purchasing, and local engagement as local franchise businesses pass their success on to employees in the form of higher wages and benefits and greater opportunities for advancement.
Along with franchise leaders and IFA stakeholders, Capitol Hill officials and members of the Biden Administration attended the Summit and delivered insights on legislation, politics, and the current state of affairs in Washington, D.C. Former U.S. National Security Advisor and Former Ambassador to the United Nations John R. Bolton discussed international relations and foreign affairs, imparting wisdom on franchise leaders from his many years of professional experience. Small Business Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman addressed the issues facing small businesses today, and what the SBA is doing to support franchising as a vital part of the small business economy. The Honorable Don Graves, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce, shared his inside perspective on the nation’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic through legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework and American Rescue Plan. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser talked about the return to work in the nation’s capital and how the IFA can work with city and state governments to drive franchise education at a local level. Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle—Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)—joined the Summit to share their perspectives on the some of the most pressing issues before Congress, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, budget reconciliation, and how best to revitalize the American economy.
IFA is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion priorities in franchising, and at the Summit we announced that IFA and seven member companies have pledged to participate in the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Partnership Challenge created by Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) and the HBCU Caucus in 2017. We are thrilled to be a partner in this program and engage with the talented student leaders that emerge from HBCUs every year.
As the franchising continues to expand and evolve, IFA looks forward to continuing to support franchisors, franchisees and franchising suppliers by fostering leadership opportunities throughout the industry.