WASHINGTON – The International Franchise Association (IFA) this week brought together over 300 franchisees, franchisors, and suppliers in Washington, D.C., for the 2023 IFA Advocacy Summit. The event featured Members of Congress, regulatory experts, political insiders, and franchise leaders providing inside discussions on the many policies threats facing franchising.

“There is no doubt that everyone who came to Washington made a lasting impact on the future of the business model,” said Michael Layman, head of IFA government relations and public affairs. “Franchising faces an unprecedented amount of policy threats today, and we need more voices just like we had this week to ensure lawmakers and regulators understand how franchising contributes to local economies and communities and why it is so critical to protect. We are so appreciative of everyone who took the time away from their families and businesses to be here and will continue to build on the success of this week to protect, enhance, and promote franchising.” 

Meeting with over 250 Members of Congress and their staff, IFA pressed lawmakers to support a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the National Labor Relations Board’s forthcoming joint employer standard. Advocates also asked for lawmakers to sign a bipartisan congressional letter urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to support franchising with any future regulation it considers, amidst the Commission’s increased focus on franchising.

Hitting on these topics and others, such as the recent agreement announced in California impacting quick-service restaurants and Deputy Secretary Julie Su’s authority at the Department of Labor, lawmakers gave an inside perspective on what to expect for the remainder of the Congress and how to be most effective to ensure lawmakers so they truly understand the challenges small businesses face and the impacts their policies have.

Featured speakers at the Summit included:

  • U.S. Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD)
  • U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ)
  • U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK), co-chair of the Congressional Franchise Caucus
  • U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX)
  • Former FTC Commissioner Christine Wilson
  • Jessica Cavazos, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development
  • Franchise leaders including:

David Humphrey, Ignite Fitness Holdings, Vice Chair; IFA Chair;

Christina Russell, Radiance Holdings, CEO;

Meg Roberts, The Lash Lounge, President and CEO;

Saunda McDaniel, President, Mr. Rooter of Sonoma County;

David Barr, Franworth, Partner

The event closed out with a “Hill-Apalooza” celebration at Pearl Street Warehouse, where Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) on the fiddle and Maxwell Frost (D-FL) on the drums joined three local D.C. area School of Rock House Bands to perform on stage.

For additional photos or to schedule an interview, please contact Katherine Patterson at kpatterson@franchise.org

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 790,492 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.4 million direct jobs, $825.4 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.

Contact

Press Contact

Name:

Katherine Knight Patterson

Email:

kpatterson@franchise.org

Search