Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce joined a coalition of California small business owners, restaurant owners, franchisees, employees, consumers, and community-based organizations in an effort to give voters the opportunity to protect Californians and local business owners from the damaging impacts of AB 257, or the FAST Act.

“IFA congratulates Jessica Looman on her nomination to be Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division at the Department of Labor. In recent weeks, our members have had productive conversations with Acting Administrator Looman about the essential role that franchising plays in our economy and why it is critical that the Department of Labor serves to enforce existing law rather than create new policy. We look forward to working together to ensure that the franchise business model is treated fairly, so it can continue to create opportunities in every community around the country.”

“Franchise owners are independent operators, and the NLRB’s joint employment rule proposes to take away their independence,” said Michael Layman, Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs. “Franchising has provided hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life the opportunity to own their own business, and this proposal stands to take that away in favor special interests. This rule is yet another example of government officials stacking the deck against franchising, with small business owners and their employees paying the price.”

“By signing this bill, Gov. Newsom is siding with special interests rather than the people and small businesses of California,” said IFA President and CEO Matthew Haller. “This bill has been built on a lie, and now small business owners, their employees, and their customers will have to pay the price. This bill is a fork in the eye to franchise owners and customers at a time when it hurts most. IFA continues to hear over and over how local franchises do not know how they will be able to make it once this bill goes into effect. Underrepresented communities will be hit hardest.”

International Franchise Association President and CEO Matthew Haller today released the following statement urging Governor Newsom to veto Assembly Bill 257, the so-called Fast Recovery Act, after the Senate’s passage today.

In the Wall Street Journal today, IFA President and CEO Matt Haller details impacts of legislation on consumer and small businesses; New research shows bill would cause double-digit increase in food prices

“California, which helped pioneer the fast-food franchise model, is on the verge of destroying it. Unions and their legislative allies have built the FAST Act on a lie about quick-service establishments, and California’s entrepreneurs, workers and consumers are set to pay the price.”

Today, nearly 100 small business owners from across California will travel to the Capitol to speak out against the detrimental and costly impacts of Assembly Bill 257, known as the FAST Act.

Cites significant prices increases for 7 in 10 Californians; Bill to be voted on in California Senate Appropriations Committee today, final step before full Senate

Awards “Friend of Franchising” endorsements to candidates for showing leadership for America’s locally owned franchise small businesses