Company Description

The International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to representing franchising globally, with a legacy of over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy. IFA works to protect, enhance, and promote franchising through its initiatives in government relations, public relations, and educational programs. Representing franchise companies across more than 120 business categories, the association also includes individual franchisees and businesses supporting the industry. IFA members uphold the highest standards, contributing to the growth and success of the franchising sector worldwide.

The Philip Zeidman Franchising Internship Programwas established by the IFA Foundation to honor the legacy of Philip Zeidman and to support the next generation of leaders in franchising. The program provides hands-on experience and professional development opportunities for students interested in careers related to franchising, including law, government relations, communications, and business.

Interns will gain exposure to franchising while contributing to initiatives that support the International Franchise Association’s mission to protect, enhance, and promote franchising.

Position Summary

The Philip Zeidman Franchising Intern will report to the General Counsel and support various teams within the International Franchise Association, gaining practical experience in areas such as legislation and public policy, member engagement, communications, programming, and industry research.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist IFA staff with projects related to franchise strategic initiatives, research, communications, and programming.
• Support government relations and policy-related activities, including work associated with the IFA Government Relations Forum.
• Participate in educational sessions, trainings, and workshops offered by the IFA and industry partners.
• Conduct research and analysis related to franchising trends, policy issues, and industry developments.
• Contribute to member engagement efforts, including event support and outreach initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal teams to support communications and content development.
• Network with established franchise professionals to explore career opportunities within the franchising sector.

Professional Development Opportunities

Interns will have access to a variety of professional development experiences, including:

• Educational sessions hosted by DLA Piper focused on franchise law and industry careers.
• Additional IFA training sessions and workshops at the 2026 IFA Legal Symposium (May 18-19, 2026) designed to deepen understanding of franchising (required).
• One-on-one meeting with a DLA Piper representative to learn about Philip Zeidman’s legacy and career in franchise law.
• Networking opportunities with leaders across the franchising community.

Qualifications

Preferred candidates will be current undergraduate or graduate students pursuing degrees in areas such as:

• Business or Finance
• Marketing or Communications
• Hospitality or Franchise Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Law or Public Policy

Additional qualifications:

• Strong research, communication, and organizational skills
• Interest in franchising, entrepreneurship, or public policy
• Ability to work collaboratively in a professional environment

This is a summer internship program.

To apply send cover letter and resume to careers@franchise.org

The International Franchise Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or any other category prohibited by local, state or federal law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, promotion, compensation, benefits, and termination. IFA is committed to achieving an inclusive, diverse workforce that values every individual. We firmly believe that hiring individuals with varying perspectives and backgrounds contributes to our success as an organization, and we strive to create an environment that fosters inclusiveness.

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 approximately 790,492 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.4 million direct jobs, $825.4 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.