WASHINGTON, D.C., July 26, 2022– The International Franchise Association (IFA) today announced six new congressional endorsements in the 2022 midterm election cycle, naming U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16), Tom Emmer (R-MN-06), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA-03), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05), and Dean Phillips (D-MN-03) as “Friends of Franchising.”

“These candidates have proven that they are champions for America’s local franchise small businesses,” said IFA President and CEO Matthew Haller. “Local franchises are engines for growth in communities around the nation, and we need leaders that prioritize creating an environment for these entrepreneurs and the 8.2 million employees they support to grow and thrive.”

The candidates are selected based on a review process that evaluates factors such as the candidate’s voting records, official actions, and public statements. The endorsements are reflective of the candidate’s efforts to promote business growth and employee development for America’s over 775,000 franchise local businesses. Endorsements are not related to political party affiliation.

According to recent research by Oxford Economics, franchised businesses provide better wages, up to 3.4% higher, and more generous benefits than their non-franchised counterparts. They offer entrepreneurial opportunities that would not otherwise be available, especially to women, people of color, and veterans. Around 26% of franchises are owned by people of color, compared with 17% of independent businesses generally. Nearly one-third of all franchise owners say they would not own a business without franchising.

America’s 775,000 franchise small businesses employ nearly 8.2 million Americans and contribute $787.7 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy. IFA represents franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development. National, state, and district level economic impact information can be found at www.franchiseeconomy.com.

IFA’s additional 2022 endorsements are below: 

Sen. Todd Young (R-IN)

Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH-01)

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28)

Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA-42)

Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-23)

Sen. John Thune (R-SD) 

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC)

Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL-18)

Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL-13) 

Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK-1) 

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) 

Ted Budd (R-NC SEN)

Joe O’Dea (R-CO SEN)

Adam Laxalt (R-NV SEN)

Tiffany Smiley (R-WA SEN)

Chuck Edwards (R-NC-11)

Regan Deering (R-IL-13)

Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ-01)

Heidi Ganahl (R- CO GOV)

Glenn Ivey (D-MD-04)

Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03)

John Boozman (R-AR-SEN)

Virginia Foxx (R-NC-05)

Richard Hudson (R-NC-08)

Kurt Schrader (D-OR-05)

Drew Ferguson (R-GA-03)

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 775,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.2 million direct jobs, $787.7 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.

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Press Contact

Name: Katherine Knight Patterson

Phone: 

(202) 662–0783

Email: 

kpatterson@franchise.org