The International Franchise Association (IFA) today released the following statement on the final regulation issued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) expanding joint employment between franchisors and franchisees. Today’s rule defines how brands and owners could be jointly responsible for the same employees under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), fundamentally upending the franchise business model. The rule would reduce the independence of franchise business owners, diminish franchisees’ equity in their businesses, and force franchisors to offer less support. 

The International Franchise Association (IFA) today released the following statement on California Gov. Gavin Newsom signing AB 1228 into law, after it was passed by the State Legislature on Sept. 14. The legislative agreement will protect California restaurants from the harms of AB 257 (the FAST Act), joint liability on quick-service restaurants imposed by the original version of AB 1228, and regulatory overreach by the Industrial Welfare Commission.

The International Franchise Association (IFA) today released the following statement on passage of AB 1228 by the California State Legislature, after it was amended following the announcement of a legislative agreement brokered by Governor Gavin Newsom, the Save Local Restaurants coalition and the Service Employees Union International (SEIU). The agreement will protect California restaurants from the harms of AB 257 (FAST Act), joint liability on quick-service restaurants imposed by the original version of AB 1228, and regulatory overreach by the Industrial Welfare Commission.

Featured inside discussions on the state of play in Washington and policies impacting franchising with Members of Congress, regulatory experts, political insiders, and franchise leaders; Advocates met with over 250 lawmakers

Testifying before the U.S. House Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access, Jimmy John’s Franchisee James Chung shared the impact of franchising on local economies and communities and the ways Congress can reduce regulatory burdens to support small business growth.

The Save Local Restaurants coalition today announced that a comprehensive legislative agreement has been reached regarding quick service restaurants and outstanding legislative and regulatory issues in California. The language of the agreement has been inserted in Assembly Bill 1228 (Holden) and this version of the bill must pass both houses of the state legislature by Thursday, September 14. The components of the agreement can be found here.