IFA Launches 2024 “Open for Opportunity” Roadshow Highlighting Economic Impact of Local Franchises in Arizona
Phoenix, AZ – The International Franchise Association (IFA) kicked off its 2024 Open for Opportunity Roadshow in Phoenix this week, emphasizing the impact franchising delivers to Arizona’s economy and the vast opportunities the industry brings to communities throughout the region. On February 15, Arizona elected officials, local franchise owners, and business and community leaders participated in a roundtable event at the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry to discuss the pivotal role franchising plays in providing prosperity and opportunity for all, no matter their background.
“Franchising provides opportunities for entrepreneurship to flourish in local communities across the state,” said Matt Haller, President and CEO of IFA. “It comes as no surprise that Arizona has consistently been a top state for franchising. This week’s Open for Opportunity stop ahead of IFA’s Annual Convention focused on the success stories of local franchises and highlighted the positive impact that the industry brings to Arizona. With support from elected leaders in the state legislature and Arizona congressional delegation, franchising will continue fostering opportunity and prosperity for those wanting to embark on their own business journey.”
Over 18,000 local franchise establishments in Arizona provide more than 195,000 local jobs, generating $19 billion in economic output. In 2024, Arizona is forecasted to have the 8th highest franchise growth rate in the country.
“At the Chamber, we’re always looking for ways to educate our community on opportunities for business ownership and growth. Franchising is a business model that works for every community, offering more jobs and stable career trajectories for Arizonans,” said Danny Seiden, President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “I was pleased to host IFA’s Open for Opportunity tour and hear from local business owners about the extensive opportunities the industry provides.”
“Every American wants to create generational wealth for their family,” said Louis Picazo, Council Member, Hispanic Latino Franchise Leadership Council. “We want to break the glass ceiling and achieve the American dream. I didn’t grow up with a lot of money. I’m here today because one person said, ‘you can make it, you can enrich your family’s life through this thing called franchising.’”
This is the first stop of the 2024 Open for Opportunity Roadshow. Since the campaign was launched in early 2022, Open for Opportunity has visited Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Newark, the Meadowlands, Las Vegas, Wilmington, DE, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Dallas-Fort Worth, south Florida, and Atlanta.
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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 790,492 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.4 million direct jobs, $825.4 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.
About the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
At the Arizona Chamber, we’re committed to ensuring economic growth and prosperity for all Arizonans. We advocate for free-market policies and work to advance Arizona as a leading player in the global economy. We aim to serve as the collective voice for Arizona business at the state legislature — representing the interests of commerce and industry in an effort to further grow our state economy.