2025 IFA IMPACT REPORT
The Year of Franchising
THE YEAR OF FRANCHISING
Uniting Our Business Model.
Amplifying Our Voice.
Powering Growth.
In 2025, the International Franchise Association propelled franchising forward, taking on new initiatives, delivering for our members, and going on offense to protect the franchise business model. Through expanded partnerships and events, new learning opportunities and an enhanced digital presence, powerful advocacy on Capitol Hill and across the states, the launch of a franchise reputation campaign, a transformational acquisition of Franchise Update Media, and a new brand to bring it all to life, IFA continues to bring together the franchisor, franchisees, and supplier community with an even more powerful voice and reach.
A YEAR OF IMPACT IN FRANCHISING
A
LETTER FROM IFA PRESIDENT AND CEO
MATT HALLER
As we reflect on 2025, the IFA Impact Report provides a snapshot of what we achieved together during what truly was The Year of Franchising. This was a year defined by momentum, unity, and results. At every turn, IFA was on offense: protecting the franchise business model, amplifying our collective voice, and delivering meaningful value for our members – franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers alike. None of this progress happens without the strength and engagement of our members, and the results we achieved in 2025 are a reflection of what we can accomplish when we move forward together.
Throughout the year, IFA expanded its reach and impact—securing historic advocacy wins, establishing IFA’s place as the central resource for franchising, strengthening partnerships through our acquisition of Franchise Update Media, to launching bold new initiatives such as the Franchise Means Local campaign. We also invested in education and leadership development and created innovative platforms, such as the IFA World Franchise Show, to convene the global franchise community. From Capitol Hill to statehouses, from flagship events to new digital and media investments, IFA worked relentlessly to ensure franchising is understood, protected, and positioned for growth. We elevated the voices of franchisees, strengthened the entire ecosystem, and told a clearer, more compelling story about the local business owners who power this model every day.
Looking ahead, I am energized by what’s next. Franchising remains one of the most proven engines of opportunity, economic growth, and community impact—and IFA is committed to leading with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Thank you for your partnership, your trust, and your continued investment in this association. Together, we are not only shaping the future of franchising—we are strengthening it.
Matt Haller President and CEO International Franchise Association
Daymond John visits IFA members at the 2025 IFA World Franchise Show in Miami, FL.
SharkTank’s
RECORD
IFA MEMBERSHIP STRENGTHENS FRANCHISE VOICE
1,111 Brands
10,063 Franchisees
605 Suppliers
85%
Franchisor Industry Representation
89% Retention
FIRST-EVER IFA WORLD FRANCHISE SHOW DRIVES GLOBAL IMPACT
300 brands and 8,000 attendees in Miami signal the rise of a new global platform for franchise growth.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION UNDERWAY
A new brand driving a new IFA website, member resource hub, and unified digital engagement strategy position IFA as the information beacon for franchising.
IFA ACQUIRES FRANCHISE UPDATE MEDIA
Uniting two franchising powerhouses to expand member reach, expertise, and engagement.
EXPANDING ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE IFA FOUNDATION
The IFA Foundation’s Diversity Institute and VetFran programs reached more than 20,000 participants across 25 cities, empowering underrepresented groups to own and grow franchise businesses.
HISTORIC ADVOCACY
WINS
Introduction of the landmark bipartisan, bicameral American Franchise Act to secure joint employer certainty, passage of essential tax relief provisions in the One Bill Beautiful Bill Act, along with state and local wins across the country.
IFA ACADEMY POWERS LEARNERS ACROSS FLAGSHIP AND CUSTOM PROGRAMS
2,758 learners through the online IFA Academy, a refreshed FranGuard Program, the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) Program, & new custom learning tracks.
TELLING THE FRANCHISEE STORY
A new multi-year, multi-million dollar campaign, Franchise Means Local, to put the real faces behind the businesses we champion every day.
ONE COMMUNITY, STRONGER CONNECTIONS,
UNMATCHED
CONVENING POWER
IFA grew and sustained a large, diverse community representing all three legs of the franchising stool — franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers — while maintaining industry-leading retention and adding nearly 300 new members to reach a total of 1,111 franchisor members, over 10,000 franchisee members, and 605 supplier members. IFA’s franchisor membership represents about 85% of the active franchisor community and over 90% of the top 100 brands in franchising as recognized by Entrepreneur Media’s Top 500 List.
Across the year, IFA convened thousands of franchising leaders at its flagship events – the Annual Convention, Legal Symposium, IBA/IFA Conference, Advocacy Summit, and Emerging Franchisor Conference — hosting over 5,000 attendees to deliver high-value peer learning, expert insights, and business development opportunities. The launch of the IFA World Franchise Show in Miami and expanded partner events, such as the International Franchise Show in London and Franchise Update Media conferences, created new, global platforms for growth and unmatched environments for peer learning, networking, and dealmaking.
Combined with Franchise Update Media’s three powerhouse conferences, Multi-Unit Franchising Conference, the Franchise Customer Experience Conference and the Franchise Leadership and Development conference, IFA’s event portfolio targets every discipline, stage of growth, and member of the franchise community – from prospective franchisors and franchisees, to the largest franchise brands, franchisees, to an engaged network of suppliers, and those who make and grow their careers in franchising.
ADVOCACY WINS THAT PROTECT AND ADVANCE THE MODEL
Recognizing the opportunity of the political climate on the federal level, IFA led a proactive, offensive advocacy strategy that produced major wins to protect franchising, including introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral American Franchise Act. By the end of 2025, the legislation had secured over 65 cosponsors in the U.S. House and been introduced on a bipartisan basis in the U.S. Senate. Over 300 franchise advocates met with their representatives at the IFA Advocacy Summit in September to kick off the bill’s full-scale advocacy campaign.
Additionally, the IFA team secured permanent tax relief critical to franchise owners through passage of the One Bill Beautiful Bill Act. All of IFA members’ priorities were included in the final legislation.
April 15, 2025
IFA members visit the White House to support tax relief in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
IFA Board Member, Jerry Akers, testifying before a joint hearing of the House & Senate Small Business Committees.
Rep. Don Davis (D-NC) in support of the American Franchise Act at the 2025 IFA Advocacy Summit.
IFA members on Capitol Hill
IFA Past Chair Doc Cohen recognized by the Georgia Legislature for his contributions to franchising.
Through coalitions, FranPAC support, grassroots mobilization, and the IFA Law Center’s legal work, the association defended the franchise model in Congress, on the state and local level, in agencies, and in the courts, giving members regulatory and legal certainty.
FOUR IFA MEMBERS...
...testified before Congress, nine franchisees participated in a White House push for passage of the tax bill, and more than 1,650 letters were sent via the Franchise Action Network. IFA and our members were also invited to participate in meetings and events with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
STATE & LOCAL DEFENSE
At the state and local levels, IFA fended off harmful legislative and regulatory proposals, including franchise relationship legislation, non-compete issues, joint employer, and state registration challenges, preserving franchise owners’ flexibility and brand standards.
IFA launched a new 501(c)(4) coalition of over two dozen organizations that raised nearly $2 million, ran digital campaigns, and organized field operations in key states to build support for the American Franchise Act.
In its third year, the Law Center engaged in multiple cases across federal and state courts, challenging federal agency overreach, such as the FTC’s non-compete or click-to-cancel rules, and defending against expanded franchisor liability theories.
FranPAC raised over $600,000, supporting champions of franchising on both sides of the aisle.
ELEVATING THE FRANCHISEE VOICE
IFA intentionally focused on strengthening representation and engagement among franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers ensuring each has a clear value and voice within the association. The acquisition of Franchise Update Media, with its deep franchisee relationships and media portfolio, significantly expanded IFA’s ability to reach, listen to, and serve franchisees alongside franchisors and suppliers.
Colleen Bailey, Dunkin’, Norridgewock, ME
IFA launched a new multi-year, $5 million franchise reputation campaign, called Franchise Means Local, with the goal of sharing and elevating the franchisee story. Funded by the IFA Foundation, the campaign centers around compelling videos and digital advertising, seeking to put a real face behind the brand names and highlight the untold local community impact of franchise owners across America.
Sean Riley, Courtyard Marriott, Portland, ME
Nadeem Bajwa, Papa Johns, Phoenix, AZ
Angie Katsanevas, Lunatic Fringe Salon, Salt Lake City, UT
BUILDING FRANCHISING’S INFORMATION BEACON –DIGITAL
FIRST, ALWAYS ON
This year, IFA unlocked a major new chapter in our digital strategy — positioning the association as the central information hub for franchising. By integrating IFA’s advocacy, research, and education with Franchise Update Media’s events, editorial teams, and publications, the association laid the foundation for a unified information and content ecosystem serving the entire franchise community.
IFA developed a new website and member resource hub to provide resources, business and policy insights, and member stories and case studies into a single dynamic destination for members only.
A revamped digital engagement strategy increased member interactions across email, webinars, and virtual learning, ensuring franchising news and opportunities reached broader global audiences.
IFA’s virtual education, webinars, and live digital sessions on the IFA Academy digital learning platform, engaged thousands of members and non-members, further reinforcing that learning and connection now happen everywhere — not just in person.
Unparalleled original IFA research including the Franchising Economic Outlook, the IFA Franchisor Survey, the Value of Franchising Report along with partner studies show the true impact and reach of franchising as a business model, constituency, and community leader.
IFA’s reach is powerful: IFA’s new website, continues to be ranked the #1 website for opportunity seekers looking for franchise brands and those seeking information on franchising, bringing in more than 180,000 unique visitors a month. The Franchising World magazine connects with 80,000 readers through its digital and print issues, while the Franchise Opportunities Guide delivers a combined digital and print circulation of over 63,000 per issue.
GROWING CAREERS, SKILLS, AND LEADERSHIP
Through IFA Academy, live and virtual programs, and the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program, IFA delivered robust professional development that advanced careers and strengthened leadership pipelines across brands and roles in the U.S. and abroad. IFA positioned education as a career accelerator, blending in-person experiences with scalable online learning.
New offerings such as Executive Leadership Journeys and a reimagined FranGuard program, along with the 250+ online an in-person courses gave members more tailored, practical ways to grow their own skills and elevate responsible franchising.
2,750+ unique users 2,366 course enrollments
368 New & Graduating CFEs in 2025
2,000+ CFE Learners in 2025
z Of enrolled learners, 8% were based internationally, 70% in the U.S., and 24% were non-members, demonstrating the Academy’s draw beyond core membership.
z The Executive Leadership Journey and Custom Learning Labs were launched to meet the unique learning needs of franchise brands, providing immersive, brand-specific leadership training.
z IFA celebrated 196 new CFE graduates and welcomed 172 new CFE candidates, strengthening a global community committed to ethical, responsible franchising.
z Working with 10 leading franchise law firms, IFA reimagined FranGuard into a contemporary, flexible compliance program available virtually, at IFA events, or on-site at brand meetings.
EXPANDING ACCESS
AND OPPORTUNITY
IFA Foundation initiatives — including the Franchise Ascension Initiative, Diversity Institute, and VetFran — expanded pathways into franchising for underrepresented communities, in particular veterans and minorities. These programs have reached tens of thousands of prospective franchise owners and business leaders, educating future entrepreneurs about the opportunities in franchising, showcasing how the business model is vehicle for economic mobility and community impact, while expanding the talent pipeline entering franchising.
Graduates of the Franchise Ascension Initiative.
The Franchise Ascension Initiative graduated 32 diverse participants in its second, expanded cohort — double the size of the inaugural class.
DIVERSIT Y
INSTITUTE
The Diversity Institute delivered 17 training programs and five expos reaching over 20,000 opportunity-seekers nationwide and hosting the “Champions of Franchising” reception at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference.
More than 600 IFA member brands now offer veteran discounts and incentives. Through its first ever national celebration, VetFran engaged 50 brands across 15 cities and reached 22,300 militaryconnected families through courses, partnerships, and outreach events, including the Small Business Administration’s Boots to Business program.
President Donald speaking to Impact Summit members in
VISIBLE LEADERSHIP & MEMBER ENGAGEMENT
IFA President and CEO Matt Haller, along with the IFA leadership team and Board of Directors, were highly visible across brand conventions, industry conferences, partner events, and political and policy engagements. These on-the-ground engagements reinforce IFA’s role as the voice and convener for franchising, strengthening IFA’s relationships, and amplifying franchising’s positive story to policymakers, investors, and media worldwide.
Donald Trump to the McDonald’s Summit with 100 IFA in attendance.
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