Pledges to work alongside incoming VA team, with IFA’s VetFran program, to educate and facilitate the development of countless aspiring veteran franchisees and veterans seeking employment in the franchise sector

WASHINGTON – Today, the International Franchise Association (IFA) issued the following statement urging the U.S. Senate to confirm former U.S. Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) as the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA):

“As a veteran, Doug Collins understands the critical role of the VA and the unique challenges facing our nation’s veterans,” said Michael Layman, IFA’s Chief Advocacy Officer. “IFA stands ready to work with Rep. Collins to provide economic opportunities for the entire veteran community. The mission-oriented mindset of veterans lends itself to a desire to give back after their time in uniform and is one of the primary reasons that the number of veteran-owned franchisees are double the rate of the overall veteran population. Franchising offers a pathway to not only entrepreneurship and economic opportunity, but also the ability to continue serving others and giving back.”

Founded in 1991, VetFran is an IFA and IFA Foundation initiative that serves as a bridge between the veteran and franchise communities and acts as a strategic resource for veterans transitioning to civilian life. VetFran has helped educate and facilitate the development of countless aspiring veteran franchisees and veterans seeking employment in the franchising sector.

Earlier this week, IFA sent a letter of support to the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs in support of the nomination. That letter is available here.

Learn more about VetFran: https://www.vetfran.org/about-us/#vetfran

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About the International Franchise Association:
Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the approximately 806,270 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.7 million direct jobs, $858.5 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.

Press Contact
Name: Katherine Knight Patterson
Phone: (202) 662–0783
Email: kpatterson@franchise.org