August 2008 Franchising World

As the nation prepares to vote for legislators and a president this fall, a topic generating as much ink and airtime as the candidates themselves is the issue of escalating energy costs. Topping that list are the rising costs of oil and gas, which the International Franchise Association has urged Congress to address immediately.

The International Franchise Association recently urged Congress to take decisive, effective and immediate action to address the rising cost of energy in the United States.

In a joint letter with other leading business organizations dated June 18, to members of both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, IFA said that the skyrocketing cost of oil and gas is now impacting every industry sector, large and small businesses, and every American who relies on gasoline or diesel fuel for work and family needs.

“Small business is greatly impacted by rising energy prices, and Congress should take quick and aggressive actions to mitigate the long-term effects on franchised businesses,” said David French, IFA vice president of government relations. “It is imperative that Congress act now to help maintain the business opportunities in communities across the country that franchising helps to facilitate.”

French said that franchised businesses are particularly affected by rising energy costs.

“Many franchised small businesses in the food and hospitality sectors are caught in a brutal fuel-price squeeze,” French said. “Sharply higher costs for energy, food and transportation are cutting into their bottom line while high gasoline costs are keeping customers home and driving down top-line revenue.”

In the letter, the groups said that continued escalation in the price of oil and gas threatens the U.S. economy and is having a devastating impact on the budgets of American households. “While we support initiatives that encourage conservation and the development of alternative energy sources, these alternatives will not address the U.S. demand for oil and gas for the next quarter-century at least,” the groups said. “Congress needs to act now to increase domestic oil and natural gas production and to adopt policies which will reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign sources of oil.” 

Business Organizations Urging Congress’s Action on Energy Costs 
American Bakers Association
American Beverage Association
American Bus Association
American Council of Engineering Companies
American Highway Users Alliance
American Hotel and Lodging Association
American Iron and Steel Institute
American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association
American Rental Association
American Subcontractors Association
American Supply Association
American Trucking Associations
Associated Builders and Contractors
Associated General Contractors
Association for Hose & Accessories Distribution
Association of Millwork Distributors
Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers
Business Roundtable
Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network
Gases and Welding Distributors Association
Grocery Manufacturers Association
Heating, Airconditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International
Independent Distributor Association
Independent Electrical Contractors Inc.
Industrial Energy Consumers of America
Industrial Supply Association
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
International Association of Plastics Distributors
International Dairy Foods Association
International Foodservice Distributors Association
International Franchise Association
International Sanitary Supply Association
International Sealing Distribution Association
Irrigation Association
Lawn & Garden Marketing and Distribution Association
Machinery Dealers National Association
Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association
Metal Service Center Institute
National Association of Chemical Distributors
National Association of Flour Distributors
National Association of Manufacturers
National Association of Shell Marketers
National Association of Sign Supply Distributors
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
National Electrical Contractors Association
National Federation of Independent Business
National Funeral Directors Association
National Marine Distributors Association
National Paint and Coatings Association
National Poultry & Food Distributors Association
National Retail Federation
National Roofing Contractors Association
National School Supply & Equipment Association
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association
North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors
North American Association of Utility Distributors
North American Building Material Distribution Association
North American Wholesale Lumber Association
NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing & Converting Technologies
NPTA Alliance
Office Products Wholesalers Association
Optical Laboratories Association
Outdoor Power Equipment & Engine Service Association, Inc.
Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
Pet Industry Distributors Association
Petroleum Equipment Institute
Professional Beauty Association
Retail Industry Leaders Association
Security Hardware Distributors Association
Society of American Florists
Society of the Plastics
Industry, Inc.
Souvenir Wholesale Distributor Association
Strategic Market Alliance
Textile Care Allied Trades Association
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Western Business Roundtable
Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association