IFA Convenes Local Franchise & Business Leaders, Students, and Elected Officials in Series of Roadshow Events

Atlanta, GA – The International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Open for Opportunity Roadshow stop in Metro Atlanta wrapped up this afternoon at Georgia State University, where local franchise and business leaders spoke to 75 students about the opportunities the franchise business model provides to aspiring small business owners. B-roll video of the roadshow is available for download and use on-air and online here (attributable to IFA).

“Metro Atlanta is lucky to have community leaders like the ones that gathered here today, and those who hosted and participated in our events over the last few days,” said Matt Haller, President & CEO of IFA. “A big focus of this roadshow stop was to highlight how franchising can help minorities overcome traditional obstacles to business ownership, like capital formation, access to financing, and leasing or buying property. I am confident our candid discussions with local chambers of commerce, Mayor Dickens, local franchise owners, and students will further ease the pathway toward franchise ownership in Metro Atlanta.”

“As the home to more than 25 of the largest 200 American franchising brands’ headquarters, Atlanta has all the tools to solidify itself as the global hub for franchising. We simply need to strengthen the ties among businesses, students, educators, and franchising practitioners,” said Dr. Ben Lawrence, Aziz Hashim Professor of Franchise Entrepreneurship and Associate Professor at GSU. “I am thrilled to be able to partner with the Open for Opportunity Roadshow and put real franchising leaders in front of my students to learn firsthand about career opportunities in franchising.”

“Atlanta has one of the strongest franchising and small business communities in the country. Minority aspiring business owners face many systemic barriers to business ownership like lack of access to capital, financing, and insurance issues. This Administration has made it a priority to address these barriers and help more Atlanta residents achieve their dreams,” said Mayor Andre Dickens to those in attendance. “Thank you to the IFA for convening this roundtable in Atlanta—and thank you to all of you for coming out to discuss ways to improve access to franchise ownership for underserved communities.”

“With many of my coaching clients and within the African-American community, I often see the lack of a Growth Mindset — they don't understand the potential benefits of entrepreneurship,” said Keithth Millner, who is a Jersey Mike’s franchisee and owner of the coaching firm Coaching Catalyst LLC and participated in Monday’s roundtable. “Often, they can identify many risks, but not the rewards.”

In 2021, franchising employment grew at a rate of 8.9% with 24,475 new jobs created in Georgia. Georgia also added 817 new franchise businesses last year and is expected to add 682 in 2022.

Open for Opportunity – which officially launched at IFA’s Annual Convention in San Diego and stopped in South Florida earlier this month – focuses on sharing the stories of local franchise owners and workers from around the country to demonstrate the positive impact they have on economic growth, job creation, and the communities in which they operate. The Metro Atlanta roadshow stop includes back-of-house tours, a panel discussion and reception. Local franchise owners and IFA executives are available for interviews.