IFA ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER CONGRESSIONAL ENDORSEMENTS

WASHINGTON, D.C., FEB. 26 – The International Franchise Association (IFA) today announced its first-ever Congressional endorsements, naming U.S. Senate and House of Representatives candidates as “Friends of Franchising”.

The endorsements – based on a review process evaluating factors including the candidates’ voting records, official actions, and public statements – are reflective of the candidate’s efforts to promote business growth and employee development for America’s 733,000 franchise small businesses. Endorsements are not related to political party affiliation.

“America’s franchise small businesses give these candidates a stamp of approval as a Friend of Franchising,” said IFA President and CEO Robert Cresanti. “These candidates work day in and out to help franchise small businesses and their employees thrive in their states and districts. They are effective advocates for their constituents and their communities, and IFA believes that a vote for them is a vote for locally-owned small businesses.”

Franchising is an arrangement where a name brand company grants a local owner the right to use its trademark, business systems, and processes to produce and market a good or service. The business owner usually pays a one-time franchise fee and a percentage of sales revenue as royalty. 

This structure allows for consistent quality and trust for consumers wherever they go, while allowing entrepreneurs the opportunity to fulfill their dream of starting and growing a business of their own. 

In franchising, brands are the foundation for economic development and job creation. A franchise brand is more than a name; it is the entire experience that customers receive at each location, from the products or services received to the interaction with the employees and the local community.

America’s 733,000 franchise small businesses employ nearly 8 million Americans. National, state, and district level economic impact information can be found at www.franchiseeconomy.com.

The first round of IFA endorsements follows.  Future endorsements will be made through the general election. 

2020 Friends of Franchising

ALABAMA

Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL-SEN candidate)

ILLINOIS

Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL-13)

NORTH CAROLINA

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC)

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC-05)

OHIO

Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH-01)

TEXAS

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28)

Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX-12)

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About the International Franchise Association

Celebrating 60 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association 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 more than 733,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 7.6 million direct jobs, $674.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 2.5 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.

For additional information or more media inquiries, please contact Stephen Worley at [email protected].