The International Franchise Association (IFA) today released the following statement after the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) withdrew its appeal of the March 2024 ruling by the Fifth District Court of Texas that struck down the NLRB’s joint employer rule.

“We applaud the selection of Senator Vance as President Trump’s running mate and are grateful for his support of the franchise business model and the nine million workers our members employ in every community across the country,” said Matt Haller, president and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “Senator Vance has stood up for franchising in the Senate, including opposing harmful regulations advanced by the Biden Administration, such as the NLRB’s expanded joint employer rule that would destroy America’s 800,000 local franchise small businesses.”

"The FTC’s actions today are contrary to the reality that the vast majority franchise relationships are working and that franchising continues to grow each year. We have long supported greater transparency and visibility in the franchise sales process, and IFA encourages the FTC to focus on improving the Franchise Rule by adopting IFA’s 2024 Responsible Franchising policy recommendations."

The International Franchise Association (IFA) today led a group of 15 organizations in applauding appropriators in the U.S. House of Representatives for including language in the 2025 appropriations bill that would prevent federal funds from being used to administer, implement, or enforce the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) expanded joint employer rule.

“This ruling will rein in the heavy hand of government agencies, which for too long have been left unchecked in their ability to make new laws outside the federal rulemaking process and around the will of Congress,” said IFA President and CEO Matt Haller. “Members of the franchise community applaud this ruling which will extend to policies coming out of the NLRB, Labor Department and Federal Trade Commission – agencies that have recently and consistently exceeded their authority.”

The International Franchise Association (IFA) today submitted comments to the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) in support of its proposed “Franchise Broker Act,” a model for state legislatures which would provide registration and disclosure requirements for third-party franchise sellers and their representatives. In the comments, IFA applauds NASAA’s efforts to establish greater transparency in the franchise sales process, while suggesting amendments to the proposal to provide clarity and practical application of registration and disclosure requirements.