For immediate release
Contact:
Alisa Harrison, 202-628-8000
Matthew Haller, 202-662-0770
aharrison@franchise.org
mhaller@franchise.org
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WASHINGTON, May 23, 2011-To highlight the vast number of jobs created by the franchise industry, the International Franchise Association today released the latest advertisement in its public awareness campaign, which features FASTSIGNS, an international sign and visual communications franchise company.
Launched in 2008, the IFA public awareness campaign aims to educate members of Congress about the economic impact of franchising. Data prepared for the IFA Educational Foundation by PwC shows that over 825,000 franchise businesses provide nearly 18 million jobs and generate $2.1 trillion in economic activity. The new ad highlights how a renewed commitment to pro-growth policies out of Washington, D.C. will help franchise businesses grow at a faster pace.
"Franchise businesses play a powerful role in creating jobs across the country," said IFA President & CEO Stephen J. Caldeira. "We urge members of the 112th Congress to consider the impact of public policies on the ability of small franchise businesses to grow and help move the economy from a jobless recovery to a job-creating economy."
A new print ad features FASTSIGNS CEO Catherine Monson and Howard James, the owner of a FASTSIGNS franchise on Rhode Island Avenue in Washington, D.C. Howard is a former theatre set design teacher at Duke Ellington School of the Arts and is one of 550 franchisees worldwide who provide comprehensive, effective sign and communications solutions to help businesses meet their strategic and marketing objectives.Catherine and Howard are also featured in companion online ads, which along with the prints ads, are appearing in public policy influencer publications in Washington, D.C.
In addition to the print and online ads, the Public Awareness Campaign includes a strong earned media initiative to highlight the economic impact of franchising, as well as the economic outlook for franchise businesses. As the economy recovers from the "Great Recession," the 2011 Franchise Business Economic Outlook forecasts a rebound in the number of establishments, jobs and economic output in the franchise industry. The awareness campaign Web site, www.buildingopportunity.com, includes a searchable database to find the economic impact of franchising in each congressional district.
"Franchise businesses are poised for slightly stronger growth in 2011, but tight credit and uncertainty about healthcare costs and other government regulations are curtailing plans by small business owners to open more units and add jobs the industry normally creates during economic downturns," Caldeira said. "The IFA awareness campaign is an important component of our ongoing efforts to demonstrate how onerous laws and regulations impact the franchise industry and small business community."
In addition, Caldeira said that the IFA is aggressively forging partnerships with the lending community to further educate them about the proven strength of franchising as sound and proven investments. "Our Small Business Credit Access Campaign seeks to close the credit supply and demand gap so that we can get franchise businesses growing again at the strong levels we have seen in the past," he said.
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About the International Franchsie Association
The International Franchise Association is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. Celebrating 50 years of excellence, education and advocacy, IFA protects, enhances and promotes franchising through government relations, public relations and educational programs. Through its awareness campaign highlighting the theme, Franchising: Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time, IFA promotes the nearly 18 million jobs and $2.1 trillion of economic activity generated by franchising. IFA members include franchise companies in over 90 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development