By Matt Haller, President and CEO, International Franchise Association

Yesterday in Las Vegas, I did something I’ve never done in my five conventions as CEO: I threw out my prepared speech.

In the spirit of our 2026 theme — Evolve — it felt right to try something new. So instead of delivering traditional remarks, I opened the Convention with a “Franchise Tonight!”-style monologue and news segment alongside outgoing IFA Chair Mary Kennedy Thompson. There were a few jokes (some better than others). A few Vegas references. Some good-natured fun about networking being the “Olympics” of our industry. And yes, even couches next to the stage.

But behind the humor was a serious look at the state of franchising: a real-time reflection of a strong 2025 and an outlook for an even better 2026.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, I shared a perspective that resonated with many in the room: in many ways, the United States was the first multi-unit franchise. Fifty independent states operating under one common system. Autonomous, yet protected. Entrepreneurial, yet unified. Franchising has mirrored that model since its earliest days. From early American business pioneers like Benjamin Franklin, who licensed printing operations, to the modern brands represented at this Convention, franchising has always reflected the entrepreneurial DNA of our country. It remains, as many have said, one of the greatest democratizations of wealth creation in existence — empowering individuals to own a business independently, but not alone.

From there, Mary and I turned to the numbers. Our newly released 2026 Economic Outlook projects that franchising will grow 1.8% this year — outpacing the broader U.S. economy. That growth is not accidental. It is driven by three clear forces:

• Tax certainty that provides stability and confidence for long-term investment
• Lower interest rates that improve access to capital for new development and reinvestment
• Strategic investment in AI to strengthen unit-level economics, productivity, and wage growth

When paired with our Value of Franchising research — which shows franchise businesses generate 1.4 times the revenue of non-franchise businesses — the story becomes undeniable. Franchising isn’t just growing. It’s outperforming.

We also spoke about something that could define the future of our business model: the bipartisan American Franchise Act. This legislation would codify a clear joint employer standard specifically for franchising, protect franchisors’ ability to support their brands, and ensure franchisees receive the guidance and operational backing they rely on. Most importantly, it would bring long-term stability to the franchise relationship — eliminating the regulatory whiplash that has forced our industry to revisit the same debates every election cycle. This is, without exaggeration, the most important piece of legislation in the history of modern franchising. And the momentum we are seeing — built by members who have testified, hosted lawmakers, and invested in advocacy — is unlike anything we’ve experienced in nearly a decade.

At the same time, 2025 was a year of sharpening our message. Instead of spending time explaining what franchising is not, we focused on clearly telling the story of who we are. Through our refreshed brand, new website, and the Franchise Means Local campaign, we have amplified the real stories that define this model. It’s not just a national brand — it’s a local owner. It’s not just a logo — it’s a family building generational opportunity. When we tell those stories clearly and consistently, policymakers listen. Communities understand. And perception shifts.

Finally, I closed with what matters to me the most: gratitude.

This was my fifth Convention as CEO and my fifteenth year at IFA. In 2010, we were fighting to increase SBA loan limits in the wake of the Great Recession. Today, franchising is stronger, more unified, and more confident in its future than ever. That progress is not because of any one leader. It’s because of members who show up, invest, advocate, and build businesses that change lives.

Gathering for our 2026 Convention represents more than just programming and networking. It represents a movement — leaders committed to evolving, improving, and protecting one of the most powerful economic models in the world.

Franchising has power — economic power, community power, policy power. The opportunity in front of us in 2026 is to use it wisely, boldly, and together.

If you were in the room for the first-ever “Franchise Tonight!”, thank you for being here (and laughing at my jokes). And for everyone that believes in our model, thank you for driving the mission of franchising forward.