By Kerry Pipes

When more than 400 franchisees, franchisors, and suppliers gathered in Washington, D.C., this September for the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) 2025 Advocacy Summit, the energy was palpable. The three-day event at the Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf wasn’t just another conference; it was a rallying cry for the future of franchising.

At its core, the Summit highlighted a simple truth: If the franchise community doesn’t tell its story to policymakers, how will government leaders ever understand the business? With the newly introduced American Franchise Act (AFA), a bipartisan bill designed to codify the joint-employer standard, on the table, the stakes have never been higher.

IFA Chair Mary Kennedy Thompson set the tone in her welcome remarks: “Power is not power if you don’t know you have the power. Franchising is a
powerful constituency and the voice on Main Street.”

The duality of franchising as both entrepreneurial grit and national economic engine echoed throughout the event. From small franchise owners to multi-unit operators, attendees carried a unified message that franchising provides a proven path to the American Dream. But without regulatory clarity, especially around the joint-employer rule, that path is threatened.

The AFA represents stability. With seven Democrats and seven Republicans signing on at the bill’s introduction, the bipartisan bill aims to put an end to the regulatory ping-pong that has plagued the industry for the past decade. As Thompson reminded the audience, uncertainty is the real enemy: “The thing that hurts business the most is not bad news but the unknown. We want them to quit changing the rules.”

The Summit blended policy discussions with personal narratives in an intentional strategy to help attendees sharpen their message before heading to Capitol Hill to meet with their elected officials on the last day of the event.

One of the first to speak to attendees was Scott Jennings, a CNN commentator and longtime political strategist. He began by addressing the Charlie Kirk assassination, noting that Kirk was “about building, not tearing down,” and then cautioned that the West’s norms of free speech, civil discourse, and open debate are under attack. Jennings framed Kirk’s assassination as a stark reminder that America was founded on speaking and debating. He said recommitting to those principles is essential now more than ever.

Jennings then turned to the matter of advocacy and the AFA, noting the important role of franchising in America. “Franchising is part of everyday life. It combines the strength of national brands with the sweat equity of local owners. That independence deserves protection,” he said in reference to the AFA as a critical way to restore stability.

Jennings also gave practical advice: Lawmakers respond to personal stories. “When people describe their business and what they do, politicians want to know,” he said. “They place a lot of value on your opinion. Walk tall, be confident, because you all carry a big stick.”

A gathering momentum and excitement for the AFA carried through every session. IFA President & CEO Matt Haller delivered a progress report on the association’s 2025 Roadmap for Franchise Growth, which includes codifying a joint-employer standard that protects franchisee independence, preserving a pro-franchisee tax code achieved earlier this year, and stopping burdensome regulation. He cued up a new video created to demonstrate the importance of franchising and why it needs protection.

Day 2

The second day of the summit kicked off with a keynote by U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. She underscored her commitment to fighting for the American worker and explained how the Department of Labor is providing clarity and consistency for both employers and employees by issuing guidance and removing restrictions that harm businesses. She outlined priorities such as eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, making estate tax exemptions permanent, increasing the child tax credit, and leveraging tariffs to create more opportunities for American businesses. She also emphasized the importance of expanding apprenticeships and trade jobs as part of her vision to strengthen the workforce beyond traditional four-year college pathways. Ultimately, she said, her goal is to position the U.S. as the dominant global economic leader, reminding attendees that “the Department of Labor has your back.”

Next, IFA’s Erica Farage, senior vice president, advocacy and political affairs, spoke with Kevin Yoder, former U.S. congressman from Kansas and now with Venture Government Strategies, a consulting and advocacy firm. She asked what attendees need to know before meeting with members of Congress and their staff. While highlighting the new AFA, he stressed punctuality and clear introductions when explaining the joint-employer rule to lawmakers.

“Don’t assume they are tracking the joint-employer rule. Explain how the rule impacts business. Mention the AFA that was just introduced last week,” he said. Yoder noted that many meetings will be with staffers, who are influential, so attendees should collect cards and follow up promptly. He encouraged ongoing engagement by thanking lawmakers, inviting them to visit businesses, and building lasting relationships beyond Washington.

In a “fireside chat,” Haider Murtaza, IFA’s senior director, federal government relations, spoke with Reps. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich., and Don Davis, D-N.C., about Democratic priorities and franchising’s role in shaping policy.

Scholten emphasized the need for a clear, consistent joint-employer standard, calling it common sense. She outlined Democratic goals such as reclaiming congressional authority over tariffs, pursuing permitting reform, and advancing immigration policies that balance border security with pathways to opportunity. She stressed her pragmatic, constituent-first approach and the importance of bipartisan problem-solving.

Davis, the first Democrat to co-sponsor the AFA, highlighted the central role franchises play in rural America, describing them as vital gathering spaces that strengthen communities. “Bojangles is just as powerful as a good golf course,” he quipped. On bipartisan cooperation, Davis pointed to progress in areas like defense, cryptocurrency regulation, and the Farm Bill.

Both leaders agreed that the AFA is essential to creating stability for franchise owners nationwide.

Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler has deep roots in small business. She noted her background on a five-generation family farm and in her father’s trucking company. She described her approach as getting government out of the way so that entrepreneurs can thrive. A key early move was reinstating the SBA’s franchise directory within her first 100 days. She called the resource essential for banks and franchisees, adding that it has already led to more loans and streamlined access to SBA programs like the 504 loan. Loeffler also highlighted efforts to restore lending standards to stabilize the system, roll out the upcoming Made in America Finance Act, and provide a supplier list to strengthen domestic business. On tax policy, she has supported restoring expiring provisions like the 199A pass-through deduction and bonus depreciation to give businesses predictability. Looking ahead, she pointed to workforce challenges as the biggest issue facing Main Street. She assured attendees that this administration is listening and actively supporting small businesses.

Kansas Senator Roger Marshall sat for a candid Q&A with IFA Chief Advocacy Officer Michael Layman. A Republican, Marshall underscored his deep support for franchising, calling it a $9 billion driver of Kansas’ GDP and a proven pathway to the American Dream, particularly for veterans, women, and minorities. On the pressing issue of the joint-employer standard, Marshall highlighted the instability caused by frequent changes across administrations and courts, saying the AFA is essential to create certainty. He urged attendees to “make the sell” on Capitol Hill by sharing their personal stories with lawmakers. “Don’t walk out tomorrow without getting the commitment to co-sponsor this bill,” he said. “No bill will get to the finish line without bipartisan support.”

Marshall also spoke about the broader pro-business legislative agenda, describing potential reforms, including expanded tax write-offs, doubled estate tax limits, and bonus depreciation, saying they could be highly consequential for small business owners. Turning to the Senate outlook, he noted looming budget battles and the need for a balanced approach to keep the government open. Finally, Marshall addressed workforce shortages, rising healthcare costs, and his push for a Transparency Bill to reduce medical expenses, reinforcing his focus on practical solutions for small business owners.

Codie Sanchez, co-owner of ResiBrands, a multi-platform franchise, and founder and CEO of Contrarian Thinking, wrapped up the day with a Q&A led by Haller. Sanchez highlighted franchising’s power to boost business success, noting it offers a stronger path than going solo. She emphasized the industry’s collective strength, saying franchising thrives when owners work together to support the many, not just the one. Sanchez stressed culture over systems, encouraging transparency, collaboration, and resilience. On the topic of advocacy, she urged franchisees to share emotional, personal stories with lawmakers to make an impact. “Bring them a picture,” she said. “Tell them your story. Tell a story about someone who found success in franchising.”

Day 3

On the morning of the final day before attendees headed to Capitol Hill, they got one more round of advocacy pointers, beginning with U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., who has been a successful McDonald’s franchisee. He shared his personal journey from operating restaurants in Arkansas and Oklahoma to serving in Congress. Drawing on his experience, he stressed that many lawmakers debate issues they don’t fully understand, making it critical for franchisees to tell their own stories.

Hern, who had just introduced the AFA in the House the previous week, highlighted the bill as a historic opportunity to finally codify the franchisor-franchisee relationship and provide lasting clarity. He urged unity across franchising, noting that a bipartisan approach strengthens the entire industry. “No matter what brand you are with,” he said, “we should all pull on the same rope. It’s good for the industry overall.”

Beyond the speeches and fireside chats, the Summit prepared attendees for the real work: walking the halls of Congress. Advocacy experts coached franchise leaders on how to introduce themselves, frame their stories, and follow up with staffers who often drive legislative priorities.

Franchising is an industry that represents 3% of U.S. GDP and employs millions, but it often flies under the radar in policy debates. That’s why the annual Advocacy Summit is critical. It creates a visible, vocal reminder on Capitol Hill that franchising is more than logos and storefronts. It’s local ownership, job creation, and generational opportunity.

The passage of the AFA could secure the future of that opportunity by locking in a predictable regulatory environment. For franchisees, that means more training, growth, and freedom to operate as true independent businesses. For franchisors, it means stability to invest in innovation and brand building.

As attendees fanned out across the Capitol for meetings with their representatives, the message was clear: Franchising doesn’t just want a seat at the table; it deserves it. The Summit was about defending the model and affirming its role as one of the most accessible and resilient pathways to the American Dream. Or as Thompson put it, “We’re here to win, protect, promote, and enhance franchising. It matters what we’re doing. And it matters that our voices are heard.”