The International Franchise Association is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising. Founded in 1960, it is a Washington, DC based trade group and non-profit association that represents a growing membership of more than 1,300 franchise systems, 10,000-plus franchisees and more than 500 firms that supply goods and services to the industry. [4]
Its mission is to protect, enhance and promote franchising.
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The IFA helps to fulfill its mission by advancing the values of integrity, respect, trust, commitment to excellenace, honesty and diversity. Its Code of Ethics is intended to establish a framework for the implementation of best practices in the franchise relationships of IFA members. The Code represents the ideals to which all IFA members agree to subscribe in their franchise relationships. The Code is one component of the IFA’s self-regulation program, which also includes the IFA Ombudsman and revisions to the IFA bylaws that will streamline the enforcement mechanism for the Code. The Code is not intended to anticipate the solution to every challenge that may arise in a franchise relationship, but rather to provide a set of core values that are the basis for the resolution of the challenges that may arise in franchise relationships. Also the Code is not intended to establish standards to be applied by third parties, such as the courts, but to create a framework under which IFA and its members will govern themselves. The IFA’s members believe that adherence to the values expressed in the IFA Code will result in healthy, productive, and mutually beneficial franchise relationships. The Code, like franchising, is dynamic and may be revised to reflect the most current developments in structuring and maintaining franchise relationships. [5]
The IFA promotes the interests of the U.S. franchise industry. The mission of IFA’s Government Relations Department is to preserve and enhance the legislative and regulatory climate for the growth of franchising worldwide by providing services and representation that only IFA can achieve. The Department achieves this by monitoring legislative and regulatory activity, conducting lobbying and grassroots campaigns, participating in national and local coalitions, creating forums and educational tools for experts in the franchising community, and promoting positive relations between franchisors, franchisees, and elected and appointed government officials and employees.
A key activity is hosting the Franchise Appreciation Day, [1] an annual march on Capitol Hill of more than 500 franchisees, franchisors, and franchise suppliers. Attendees meet with legislators, elected officials and policymakers to exchange ideas about the future of franchising and its impact on the business community. At the event, IFA members celebrate the winners of the Franchisee of the Year Award.
The IFA promotes membership through a yearly convention which provides educational, networking, and procurement opportunities for franchisors, franchisees, and industry suppliers. The 2008 IFA Convention took place in Orlando, Fla.
Educational programs offered by the IFA Educational Foundation include a certification program for industry executives known as the CFE (Certified Franchise Executive) Program, which is entirely devoted to continuing education in the franchising field. The IFA also offers programs for veterans [2] and minorities to help foster ownership by veterans and minorities. The IFA also provides tools on its Web site [6] to help prospective franchisees learn the basics of franchising and how to get started.
Franching Provides Significant Economic Impact
The U.S. franchise industry contributes significantly to the U.S. economy.[3] To show case this impact, the IFA Educational Foundation released the second edition of an economic impact study in March 2008. Prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the report[4] documents the growth of the franchising industry from 2001 to 2005. The report informed the basis for the IFA awareness campaign to highlight the association's new theme: Franchising. Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time.[5]