2023 IMPACT REPORT
ACCOMPLISHMENT Achieved record membership and retention rates, while elevating membership criteria and implementing a realigned dues structure.
Hosted 10 in person IFA owned and partnership events, with more than 7,000 attendees, 15,000 opportunity seekers, and 1,000 sponsors and exhibitors.
Graduated a record number of Certified Franchise Executives in the program’s 30 year history including international colleagues from the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) and the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA).
Launched IFA Academy, an online learning platform hosting more than 250 courses across 28 disciplines, including 65 courses in 41 foreign language options.
Partnered with 10 professional development providers including landmark partnerships with 3 Academic Institutions: Liniger Center on Franchising (University of Denver), Georgetown University, and YUM! Center for Global Franchise Excellence (University of Louisville).
Highlights
Expanded and created new professional development opportunities including webinars, IFA Event recordings and “IFA LIVE,” instructor-led virtual and inperson events, to serve 4,000 learners throughout 30 countries in 2023 alone.
Refreshed the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program including new content. core program requirements, learning pathways, a streamlined credit system, and personalized Learning Center page in IFA Academy, with progress and credit-tracking metrics.
Expanded IFA’s influence via new channels of content and thought leadership including a Podcast Series, Digital Toolkits, White Papers, and Webinars, reaching more than 14,000 people in 2023
Record support and readership of our trademark publications and platforms including Franchising World Magazine, serving 70,000 in circulation, our Franchise Opportunities Guide reaching 70,000 and our franchise.org website, a top 5 franchise site serving an average of 130K monthly viewers.
Through IFA’s Government Relations wins: • Preserved $8.8B of economic ourput. • Preserved $111.6B in operational expenditures. • Growth of the industry by 70,000 new franchise businesses. • Saved 1.9M jobs. • Protected $15.6B in business equity.
Launched the IFA Law Center to serve as a valuable tool defending the interests of franchisors and franchisees alike via litigation and amicus briefs.
Built a coalition of more than 70 national business groups and led the response to the National Labor Relations Board’s joint employer rule through a comprehensive legislative, advocacy and public affairs campaign called the Coalition to Save Local Businesses.
Achieved record membership & retention levels across all three categories, while elevating membership criteria.
Numbers 10
4
7,000+ Total Event Attendees
IFA & Partner Meeting/Events
LEARNING
EVE NTS
BY THE
2023 IFA IMPACT REPORT
1,000 Sponsors & Exhibitors
4,000 Learners
250
Unique Online Courses
32
Countries
Member Retention Rate
10,135 Franchisees
650
Suppliers
1,220 Franchisors
Franchise Establishements
8.7M Franchise Employees
$858.5B Economic Output
Franchisor & Supplier New Members
EC ONO MY
806k
300
M E M B E R S HIP
88%
2023 IFA IMPACT REPORT
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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & ADVOCACY
Achievements
The year 2023 will go down as one of the most significant years ever in terms of protecting the franchise model for all IFA members. The IFA Government Relations team’s landmark legislative, policy and advocacy victories at all levels of government save franchise businesses money and provide certainty for their investments moving forward:
Executive Branch Nominations One year after spearheading the defeat of antifranchising nominee David Weil in 2022, IFA successfully defeated the Julie Su nomination for Secretary of Labor through a nationwide advocacy and media campaign. These efforts have ensured the Labor Department does not pursue rulemaking that targets the franchise business model.
Federal Joint Employer Campaign: Built a coalition of more than 70 national business groups and led the response to the National Labor Relations Board’s joint employer rule through a comprehensive legislative, advocacy and public affairs campaign called the Coalition to Save Local Businesses in support of a legislative fix to preserve franchising. Secured bipartisan U.S. House passage of legislation to repeal the rule. Filed a 14-party lawsuit challenging the NLRB rule as a second pathway to defeat the rule.
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2023 IFA IMPACT REPORT
State & Local Wins: Negotiated a landmark compromise with California Governor Gavin Newsom to preserve franchising in the state, addressing key issues while eliminating the need for a $250 million referendum campaign. Defeated bills that would have inserted government into contracts between franchisors and franchisees in Arizona and New Jersey and successfully mollified harmful legislation in Arkansas.
A Holistic Approach to Protecting the Model: Launched the IFA Law Center to serve as a valuable tool defending the interests of franchisors and franchisees alike via litigation and amicus briefs. Filed comments to the Federal Trade Commission and generated a large grassroots response from IFA members in response to the FTC “Request for Information”. Advocated for bipartisan support from 95 members of Congress urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to strengthen the Franchise Rule. Held Open for Opportunity campaign events to promote research by Oxford Economics “Value of Franchising” in six markets to build relationships with elected officials, third parties and generate earned media. Raised over $600,000 for FranPAC (IFA’s Political Action Committee), including more than 100 max donors ($5,000 contribution), and supported 140 bipartisan members of Congress.
2023 IFA IMPACT REPORT
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IFA IN THE
News
Entrepreneur OP-ED by Matt Haller
The Hill OP-ED
by Reps. Tony Cardenas
(D-CA), Kevin Hern (ROK), Josh Gottheimer (DNJ), & Beth Van Duyne (R-TX)
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2023 IFA IMPACT REPORT
CNBC ARTICLE by Kate Rogers
CalMatters ARTICLE by Dan Walters
Fortune OP-ED by Matt Haller
2023 IFA IMPACT REPORT
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EDUCATION
Impact
Professional Development Expansion IFA Educational Programs saw a record increase in professional development education (including the CFE program) through expansion of learning channels and new content, educating more than 4,000 Franchisors, Franchisees, and Suppliers in 2023.
Launched IFA Approved Learning Partner Program Expanding professional development opportunities while maintaining the highest standards for continuing education and adult learning, the IFA Approved Partner Program was developed in 2023. We have 10 approved partners including 3 academic partners:
UM! Center for Global Franchise Y Excellence – the University of Louisville Lininger Center on Franchising – the University of Denver Georgetown University
Launched IFA LIVE Learning Live Virtual Classroom and In-Person Learning Opportunities
Launched The Foundations of Franchising Bootcamp and the Fundamentals of International Franchising Through partnership with YUM! Center on Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville.
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The Bootcamp is a comprehensive, 60-hour, online program featuring expert facilitator engagement over a six-week period through six topics designed to deliver critical insights and practical information around the fundamentals and core elements of franchise management, empowering participants to embrace their full potential and 2023 IFA IMPACT REPORT succeed in franchising.
xecutive Leadership Virtual Cohort E Journeys Franchise Event Special Sessions Seasonal Learning Journeys Virtual Classroom Training
00 Franchise Professionals successfully 2 completed the program in 2023. Pre-Post survey research shows participants significantly increased their: • Knowledge of franchising • Occupational commitment to franchising • Belief they could become a franchisee
When asked “Would you recommend this program to other franchise professionals?,” 100% answered YES!
Launched IFA Academy
Online Courses available 24/7 (including via mobile devices) 250+ Courses (41 foreign language options) 10 On Demand Franchise Education Tracks Organized within 28 Topic Categories
Enhanced IFA PreConvention Special Sessions 13 Workshops 2 Days
450+ Learners
40+ SME Facilitators
Enhanced Certified Franchise Executive Program Enhancements to the CFE program include simplifying the program and the credit structure, creating foundational core required courses and educational pathways and proving a clear path to certification, resulting in record CFE enrollments in the history of the 30+ year program.
IFA recognizes CFE graduates at the IFA Annual Convention.
2023 IFA IMPACT REPORT
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FOUNDATION, COMMUNITY, & AFFINITY GROUP
Engagement
I N S T I T U T E
Diversity Institute The Diversity Institute coordinated a panel session at the IFA Annual Convention which discussed various strategies franchise brands can utilize to increase their franchise recruitment efforts as well as best practices for entrepreneurs seeking to enter the franchise community. Community webinars held during Pride Month, Black Business Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month highlighted members of Affinity Group Councils. Hispanic Latino Franchise Leadership Council (HLFLC) participated in the 18th Annual Maryland Hispanic Business Conference held in Hanover, MD. Hosted “Pathways to Franchising” franchise development programs for franchise opportunity seekers from diverse communities to connect with IFA member franchisors. For the second year in a row, IFA hosted a panel session during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference (CBCF ALC).
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2023 IFA IMPACT REPORT
VetFran The VetFran program continued to educate veterans on the unique opportunities and benefits available to them through franchising throughout 2023. By hosting and participating in “Franchising 101” sessions across the country in 2023 at franchise expositions, the Patriot Franchise Expo, and a dedicated event with the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services, VetFran shared the good news about franchising with hundreds of veterans. In partnership with FRANdata, VetFran took the first step to identifying the impact of the VetFran program on veterans entering franchising. Through interviews with 30 VetFran member brands, FRANdata determined that VetFran saved veterans who opened new units in 2022 approximately $624,000. Further, the 30 brands surveyed accounted for more than 877 veteran franchisees with an estimated total savings of $7,833,790 through veteran discounts. VetFran also added more than 80 new franchisor members throughout the year, established a quarterly VetFran newsletter to all members, and implemented bi-monthly member webinars to improve brand information on the VetFran website.
Franchising Gives Back IFA convention attendees partnered with Meals of Hope and packed more than 50,000 meals for the local Feeding America chapter IFA Convention attendees visited Rundle Elementary School in Las Vegas to assist with projects on the school grounds and meet with students.
2023 IFA IMPACT REPORT
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IFA EVENT
Success
In 2023, IFA continued to promote franchising by delivering on signature events such as the IFA Legal Symposium and the Emerging Franchisor Conference, as well as new events in partnership with MFV Comexposium and Franchise Update Media, each with custom crafted content to meet your specific needs and areas of focus.
Annual Convention
The IFA Annual Convention returned to Las Vegas after being away for a few years. Las Vegas did not disappoint with a record 4,200 attendees. In addition to celebrity speakers, speakers from some of the world’s largest brands, and representation from over 42 countries at the World Franchise Council meeting this year’s convention truly put the I back in the International Franchise Association. Seventy education sessions covering all aspects of franchising left attendees full of new ideas to implement in their business. Formal and informal networking opportunities provided all attendees the chance to build new business and personal relationships. The IFA Convention would not be complete without it’s hallmark soldout pre-convention events- the Emerging Franchisor Bootcamp and the Annual Leadership Conference. IFA 2023 was truly all In – all here.
IFA Legal Symposium The IFA Legal Symposium attracted the best and brightest in Franchise Law. Sessions not only focused on the legal aspects of franchising but also their impact on the business of franchising and included a session focused on policy changes that will impact how franchisors and their supplier partners do business in the years ahead. From GDPR to best practices in intellectual property protection, the follow on Internation Bar Association and IFA event focused on doing business as franchisors on a global stage.
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2023 IFA IMPACT REPORT
Emerging Franchisor Conference The Emerging Franchisor Conference in Nashville, TN created a space for new, emerging and re-emerging brands to gather in the fall. With over 300 attendees the event provides the opportunity for early stage franchisors to learn from experienced brands. IFA members provide the attendees with critical insights in organized sessions, roundtables and casual meet-ups.
4,200
42
Attendees
Countries
400
Exhibitors & Sponsors
200
1
#
Roundtable Discussions
Franchise Event
10
Education Tracks
70
Education Sessions
ranked by
3
General Sessions
IFA ANNUAL CONVENTION IT’S ALL HERE
2023 IFA IMPACT REPORT
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PARTNERSHIPS Expanding Opportunities for Business Growth IFA took its promotion of franchising to new heights through partnerships with MFV Comexposium, co-hosting the largest franchise expos in the country and offering expansive education sessions to opportunity seekers in attendance. IFA joined MFV to host hundreds of brands and thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs at the International Franchise Expo in New York City, Franchise Expo West in Phoenix, Franchise Expo South in Fort Lauderdale, and Franchise Expo Houston. In addition to reaching new opportunity seekers, these events also helped showcase the vast expanse and diversity of the franchise business model to elected and community leaders.
IFA and Franchise Update Media forged a landmark partnership consolidating best in class events to create a new Franchise Customer Experience Conference (FCXC) and a Franchise Leadership and Development Conference, both setting new records from the prior year, and focusing on interdisciplinary connectivity between disciplines for both strategy and execution. The education and networking, alongside the secret shopping and proprietary research delivered a best in class franchise development event with immediate take home value
Preferred Vendors IFA’s preferred vendors offer franchisors and franchisees products and services to advance their brands. See a list of our partners below:
AnswerConnect Franchise is an Industry leader in Live Reception Franchise services. AnswerConnect can help you 24/7/365 to answer calls, set appointments, qualify leads, transfer calls, CRM integration, and more. Let AnswerConnect work IN your business, so you can work ON your business growth.
What’s on your mind: Non-harassment training? Attracting and retaining talent? Joint-employer status compliance? Paychex can help. Ask the HR Experts to learn about our flexible, scalable solutions.
benetrends FINANCIAL
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As the authority in franchise funding, Benetrends has been funding America’s most popular brands for 40 years. Benetrends’ innovative and comprehensive suite of funding solutions not only helps franchisees successfully launch their dreams, but also helps catapult of franchise 2023 IFAgrowth IMPACT REPORTsystems.
SOCi enables the management of online business listings, local social media profiles, and individual location reputations through an all-inone platform, with access available to users from the ground level to the corporate level.
IFA MEDIA
Platforms:
Franchise.org with 130K monthly unique users and a top 5 industry website based on google search. Published two editions of the Franchise Opportunities Guide, reaching more than 70,000 total distribution including opportunities seekers and franchise executives. Published six issues of Franchising World reaching more than 70,000 circulations.
Expanded reach with new channels including 10 Episodes of the IFA Franchise Voice Podcast, 2 Digital Toolkits, 12 White Papers, and 30 Webinars (including IFA Business Series), reaching more than 14,000 members, franchise professionals and opportunity seekers.
10 Podcast Episodes 6 Issues of Franchising World 2023 IFA IMPACT REPORT
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2023 IFA IMPACT REPORT