International Franchise Association Recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month

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International Franchise Association Recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic and Latino Entrepreneurs Deliver Excellence in Franchising; Introduce Franchising as a Pathway to Business Ownership and Generational Wealth Development

Washington, Oct. 5, 2022 – During 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month, the International Franchise Association (IFA) recognizes the many entrepreneurial and community contributions of the Hispanic and Latino community to the U.S. economy and civil society. Through community engagement and educational programing, IFA routinely works to build awareness among members of the Hispanic and Latino community about the value and opportunity realized through the franchise business model.

“Hispanic Heritage Month is an important time to recognize the accomplishments of the Latino community and also for Hispanic and Latino leaders to shine a light on their path to success,” said Au Bon Pain President and Chairwoman of the Hispanic Latino Franchise Leadership Council Ericka Garza. “Every person can attribute their success to someone else taking a chance on them. As a Latina leader in franchising, I want everyone in the Hispanic and Latino community to see franchising as an opportunity for business ownership—an opportunity to provide for your family, your community and achieve the American Dream.”

According to the Value of Franchising Report produced by Oxford Economics, franchising has long been a path to entrepreneurship for traditionally underrepresented groups including immigrants and newcomers in a variety of industries, by allowing them to participate in fields where they lack prior experience. The same report highlights that Hispanic-owned franchise businesses report 1.6x more sales and 1.5x more jobs than their similarly situated independent counterparts.

“Franchising is among the most democratic and accessible pathways to entrepreneurship. You go into business for yourself, but not by yourself,” said IFA Foundation Executive Director Rikki Amos. “Beyond the resources provided by a franchise brands, IFA and IFA Foundation routinely convene Hispanic and Latino franchise leaders to increase awareness and improve outcomes for existing and would-be entrepreneurs.”

Earlier this year, IFA worked with the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce under the auspices of the Open for Opportunity campaign and created the Hispanic Latino Franchise Leadership Council in partnership with the IFA Foundation Diversity Institute. Last month, IFA partnered with MFV Expositions to offer Spanish-language franchise education at Franchise Expo South in Fort Lauderdale.

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About The International Franchise Association:

Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) 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 approximately 775,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.2 million direct jobs, $787.7 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 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.

About Hispanic Latino Franchise Leadership Council

The International Franchise Association (IFA) and the IFA Foundation launched the Hispanic Latino Franchise Leadership Council (HLFLC), a new network for Hispanic franchise leaders from all across the country. The Hispanic Latino Franchise Leadership Council adds to the IFA Foundation’s Diversity Institute and provides uniquely Hispanic perspectives to franchisees and franchisors through meaningful discussions and networking opportunities to engage on the personal and professional level. HLFLC aims to foster awareness, understanding, and access to franchise opportunities for Hispanic/Latino entrepreneurs; amplify the success of current franchise owners; and engage future franchisees through education and other resources.

The Hispanic Latino Franchise Leadership Council is comprised of Chairwoman Ericka Garza (President at Au Bon Pain), Council Advisor Elena Dolinski (Founder of UKANDOIT Global), and Executive Council Members Javier Solis (Co-Founder and CFO of Toro Taxes Franchise) and Marlén Cortez Morris (Attorney and Shareholder at Ogletree Deakins).

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