By Jill Abrahamsen
Franchise Wire

The New IFA Chair Shares Her Vision for Supporting Small Businesses and Strengthening the Franchise Model

Mary Kennedy Thompson has always believed in the power of community, leadership and service. From her time in the U.S. Marine Corps to her years leading top franchise brands, she’s built her career on helping others succeed. Now, as Chair of the International Franchise Association (IFA), she’s ready to take that mission even further — supporting franchise owners, advocating for policies that help small businesses thrive and making sure franchising stays strong for future generations.

Thompson officially became the new IFA Chair at the 2025 IFA Annual Convention in Las Vegas last week in front of more than 4,000 franchise leaders, owners and advocates. Her message was clear: franchising is about people. “Franchising is a major force in the economy, and we need to make sure our voices are heard.”

From the Marines to Franchising

Thompson began her career in the U.S. Marine Corps, where she learned the value of discipline, teamwork and resilience. When she transitioned to the business world, franchising felt like a natural fit. “Franchising is all about teamwork and support,” she said.

Her dedication to franchisee success has made her one of the most respected leaders in franchising. Known for her hands-on approach, she actively engages at every level, demonstrating genuine care for the people behind the businesses.

Thompson sees her role as IFA Chair as a chance to align all aspects of franchising toward a shared vision. “The IFA has strong long-term strategic plans built around protecting, enhancing and promoting franchising,” she said. “My goal is to ensure alignment across all committees, franchisors, franchisees and suppliers. Also, it will be important that in our outreach to our lawmakers, we remind them franchising transcends politics. Franchising is the voice of Main Street.”

Mary Kennedy Thompson takes the reins from Great Clips CEO Steve Hockett as IFA Chair at the International Franchise Association’s Annual Convention in Las Vegas.

Making an Impact

Thompson has done it all in franchising. She began her journey as a multi-unit franchise owner with gourmet cookie franchisor Cookies by Design, where she led the company in market penetration and sales, earning numerous top-performing awards. After successfully selling her franchises, she joined the corporate headquarters, building the brand’s field support program and eventually rose to become president.

Her passion for supporting franchise owners brought her to Neighborly, the world’s largest home services franchisor. She spent years helping franchisees grow their businesses and communities before becoming Chief Operating Officer (COO). “If we want our franchisees to succeed, we have to give them the right tools, the right support and a strong foundation,” she said.

At the IFA Convention’s opening ceremony, Thompson shared a powerful story from her time at Neighborly that showed the strength of the franchise community. She recalled a woman who, after building a successful business with her husband, faced an uncertain future when he passed away. “The entire franchise network stepped in,” Thompson said. “They didn’t just offer kind words — they showed up. They made sure she had everything she needed to keep her business running. That’s the power of this network.”

In 2024, Thompson took the helm as CEO of BNI, the world’s largest business networking organization. Now, she helps business owners connect, grow and support one another through referrals and networking. “Success in business comes down to relationships,” she said. “When we lift each other up, we all win.”

New IFA Chair

Now, as IFA Chair, Thompson is dedicated to helping franchise owners succeed. “There’s so much opportunity in franchising,” she said. “But we need to take action — engage with lawmakers, share our stories and advocate for policies that help small businesses grow.”

One of the biggest challenges she sees facing franchising today is the lack of understanding about how the business model works. “The general public and many of our lawmakers do not fully understand franchising,” she said. “Franchised locations are locally owned and operated, putting jobs in their communities with the franchise owners committed to growing their community. We need to get this message out.”

Thompson is also passionate about making franchising more accessible to diverse groups, including women and veterans. “I very much appreciate the diversity in franchising. Like the military, it’s not about where you came from or your background. It’s about creating results,” she said. “For veterans, franchising is a system designed to create success. It resonated with me as I saw the same thing in the Marine Corps when I served. As a woman, I’ve been afforded so many leadership opportunities throughout franchising. I encourage women to join in the opportunity.”

As IFA Chair, Thompson is stepping into a role previously held by some of the biggest names in franchising, including Steve Hockett, CEO of Great Clips, Inc.; David Humphrey, Vice Chair of Ignite Fitness Holdings; Catherine Monson, CEO of Propelled Brands; and Charlie Chase, former CEO of FirstService Brands. Like them, she’s committed to protecting and strengthening the franchise model.

Franchising’s Bright Future

Thompson is taking on the IFA Chair role at a crucial time for franchising. According to the IFA’s 2025 Economic Outlook, franchising supports nearly 8.7 million direct jobs and contributes $858.5 billion to the U.S. economy. With numbers like that, it’s clear that franchising is a major economic force.

For Thompson, the mission is clear: protect, enhance and promote franchising to ensure its continued success. “I truly believe franchising is the greatest democratization of wealth creation that exists,” she said. “I’m grateful to be part of it.”

Thompson believes the best way to keep franchising strong is through teamwork, advocacy and action. “We need to show up, take action and tell our stories,” she said. “Because franchising isn’t just about business — it’s about people.”

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