Matt Haller is President and CEO of the International Franchise Association (IFA), the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. Since assuming the role in June 2021, Matt has led IFA through a transformative period of significant growth and visibility, bringing the franchise business model to the forefront of public, media, and policy conversations.

Under his leadership, IFA has experienced annual double-digit revenue increases and launched new initiatives that have expanded member value, enhanced IFA’s long-term impact and empowered IFA as a force multiplier in the mission of preserving, protecting and enhancing the franchise model.

Matt has elevated IFA’s reputation by spearheading the Franchise Means Local campaign, a multimillion-dollar national effort showcasing that franchises are locally owned and operated businesses deeply rooted in their communities.

Matt’s leadership has modernized IFA’s structure and services to better meet the needs of IFA’s diverse membership. He led a strategic realignment of the IFA Foundation and restructured the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program to strengthen its educational offerings and relevance to franchise professionals. These efforts have deepened member engagement and expanded the Association’s capacity to serve franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers alike.

Matt continues to be a driving force behind IFA’s advocacy strategy in Washington and across the country. In September 2025, IFA, under Matt’s leadership, supported the introduction of the bipartisan American Franchise Act, landmark legislation that will preserve the franchise model for the next generation of entrepreneurs by providing permanency around the federal joint employer standard. In December 2023, Matt testified before Congress on the potential economic consequences of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) expanded joint employer rule.

A frequent commentator in national media, Matt has appeared on CNBC, Fox Business, NPR’s Marketplace, and Bloomberg, and has been quoted extensively in top-tier outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, POLITICO, and Reuters. He has authored op-eds in Fox News, Fox Business,  Entrepreneur Magazine, and the Washington Reporter, and has contributed commentary and analysis to leading industry publications such as Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine and Franchise Times.

Prior to assuming his current position at IFA, Matt held several senior leadership roles, including Communications Director, Vice President of Public Affairs, Chief of Staff to the CEO, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, and Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs.

Before joining IFA in 2010, Matt served as Director of Industry Relations at the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, where he led member engagement and advocacy initiatives. He previously managed national political and issue advocacy campaigns at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, overseeing a $20 million budget during the 2004 and 2006 election cycles. Matt has also held roles in public affairs at UPS and at Levick Strategic Communications, LLC.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from North Carolina State University and resides in Washington, D.C.

You can contact Matthew at mhaller@franchise.org or 202-662-0770 and follow him on Twitter @Franchising411.