IFA President & CEO Update: Advancing our Journey Together

Last Thursday was a very humbling day for me. It is with immense pleasure that I accepted the role of President & CEO of the International Franchise Association. As we emerge from such a challenging year, I firmly believe that franchising is the strongest economic business model to creating prosperity for people from all walks of life. Together, we will continue to learn from each other and collaborate among IFA’s thousands of franchisor, franchisee and supplier members to advance our journey together and build the future of franchising. 

I have spent the past decade committed to advancing IFA’s mission and, in return, have developed a deep appreciation behind each pillar: protecting, promoting, and enhancing franchising. In this new role, working with our incredible IFA team and volunteer leaders, I plan to continue to reinforce our mission and drive results that achieve the goals in our strategic plan. 

Protect Franchising: The franchise business model continues to face various challenges at the local, state and federal levels that strike at the heart of the business model, so ensuring the economic viability of our business model, in particular for our franchisee members, is of utmost importance. As we reemerge from a tumultuous year, IFA’s top priority is to leverage our stellar government relations and advocacy programs to protect and defend the franchise business model, while building more champions in both parties and other stakeholder groups to support franchising in the public arena.  

Promote Franchising: When it comes to advancing our goals, your stories are our most powerful tool. I have witnessed firsthand the incredible actions that our member brands and franchisees have taken to give back to their communities and assist those in need during times of crises. By leveraging the IFA Foundation’s Diversity Institute, VetFran and Franchising Gives Back programs, now is the time to double-down to tell these stories in meaningful and impactful ways, to show our leaders just how much franchises contribute to a stronger society and improve the lives of workers and communities alike. The reality is the true power of franchising is often not fully understood by those in the public arena, but with a renewed focus on this aspect of our mission, coupled with forthcoming results from the recently completed Franchise Census and a robust reputation campaign, we can change hearts & minds. Furthermore, many Americans simply do not consider franchising as a career path. IFA can do more to drive public awareness of the benefits of the franchise business model with stakeholders, while concurrently raising awareness of franchising as a career path to drive our members talent pipeline.

Enhance the Franchise Business Model: IFA’s ultimate goal is to create the most inclusive economic business model in the country and ensure a balanced regulatory framework exists to protect our brands and franchise owners today and in the future. As we learned during the pandemic, IFA can provide meaningful member value and engagement by listening to our members and convening programs, developing educational opportunities, and creating new products and services that go beyond our traditional events. We call this a 360-degree member engagement strategy. Through member and non-member education, virtual workshops, and educational programs to open the doors to every future entrepreneur who wants to build a franchise or become a franchise owner, I am confident we will increase the quality AND quantity of the IFA membership, and create a stronger channel of commerce for franchising. The work we have recently began with our Brand Standards Task Force will only accelerate these efforts, and IFA’s Certified Franchise Education program and other educational programs will continue to up-level best-in-class franchising business practices.

I am extremely proud of the work those who came before in this role have achieved to elevate the franchise business model and create an inclusive, welcoming environment for our members, including my predecessor President & CEO Robert Cresanti, not to mention our fabulous volunteer leaders, led by IFA Chair Catherine Monson, Vice Chair Charlie Chase and immediate Past Chair David Barr. I have learned so much from them and others during my time at IFA, and as as we enter a new chapter for the association and recruit a new generation of volunteer leaders to support the IFA staff, I vow to continue building upon our strides and breaking down barriers for opportunity. My door will always be open to those who wish to give back to the IFA and hope you will reach out to share your ideas and feedback with me.

Warmest Regards,

Matt Haller
President & CEO