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Contact: Alisa Harrison, 202-628-8000

New Rapid Poll Finds Small Businesses Concerned About Legislation

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2009—Over 86 percent of franchise business leaders say that a provision in the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as “Card Check” would hamper their ability to compete and provide jobs, according to the results of the International Franchise Association’s first FranPulse poll, a new initiative designed to quickly check the pulse of the franchise industry on a variety of issues.

“We launched FranPulse to keep abreast of our member’s views on a real time basis,” said Matthew Shay, IFA president & CEO.  “The rapid polling option will help us inform members of Congress and the Administration how the franchise industry is being impacted by laws and regulations that affect small businesses.  The results of the first poll clearly show that there is major concern over the impact that card check could have on franchise businesses’ ability to provide and create jobs.”

Using the SurveyMonkey.com research tool, IFA yesterday asked over 5000 franchise business leaders if they have been forced to eliminate jobs during the past six months, 56 percent of respondents said yes and 44 percent said no.  Thinking ahead six months, 34 percent said they would be forced to cut jobs, 24 percent said they would not and 42 percent said they were not sure.  Regarding views on card check, 84 percent said they opposed the legislation, 4 percent were in favor and 13 percent were not sure.  Almost 89 percent of respondents said that a unionized workforce would make it more difficult to create jobs, with 2 percent saying it would make it easier and 9 percent saying they were not sure.

When asked if a provision in the Card Check legislation that would give a federal arbitrator the authority to impose a binding labor contract on small businesses if they cannot reach agreement with a labor union after only four months of negotiations, without the ability to appeal, 86 percent said the provision would impact their ability to compete and provide jobs, while 6 percent said would have no impact and 8 percent said they were not sure. 

“This research provides a quick snap shot of how our members feel at any given time about the impact of issues on their businesses,” Shay said.  “We believe the new FranPulse poll together with our business leader sentiment survey will help lawmakers understand how their small business constituents feel about critical issues facing our country.”

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About The International Franchise Association

The International Franchise Association, the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising, is the preeminent voice and acknowledged leader for the industry worldwide. Approaching a half-century of service with a growing membership of more than 1,300 franchise systems, 10,000-plus franchisees and more than 500 firms that supply goods and services to the industry, IFA protects, enhances and promotes franchising by advancing the values of integrity, respect, trust, commitment to excellence, honesty and diversity. For more information, visit the IFA Web site at www.franchise.org.

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