News & Media IFA Press Releases Posted March 11, 2026 IFA Endorses Kevin Hern for U.S. Senate Share As a former franchisee and champion of franchises in Congress, Hern has the back of the entire franchise community and IFA looks forward to supporting his candidacy for Senate WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the International Franchise Association (IFA) issued the following statement after U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK) announced a bid for U.S. Senate: “Kevin Hern has always had the back of franchised businesses in Congress, and we are proud to support his run for the U.S. Senate,” said Michael Layman, IFA Chief Advocacy Officer. “As someone who sold his hog farm to buy a McDonald’s restaurant that kickstarted his entrepreneurial journey, Rep. Hern is living proof of the power of franchising. In Congress, he has championed franchises at every step of the way, and we look forward to the leadership he would provide in the Senate.” In the U.S. House, Hern serves as the co-chairman of the Congressional Franchise Caucus. # # # 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 more than 832,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.8 million direct jobs, $920 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. All News Franchising In The News IFA Advocacy News IFA Press Releases IFA Thought Leadership CEO Update Franchising World Articles Sponsor Spotlight IFA SmartBrief Sign Up Press Contact Katherine Knight Patterson VP, Communications 202.662.0783 kpatterson@franchise.org Advertisement