Business View Magazine June 2023

155 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 6 The IFA’s role in the protection of franchises is to advocate for the business model and deal directly with government relations, as well as ensure that public policies at both federal, state and international levels create an environment conducive to the franchise model of growth. “When we talk about enhancing franchising, this is accomplished by hosting and attending networking events, education, and certifications. Activities that we do to improve franchising from within,” says Matthew Haller, President & CEO of the International Franchising Association. When asked how they are raising awareness of the business model for prospective franchisees, the IFA answers that they create a platform and space for those individuals who might have the business but don’t know how to start their franchise. The IFA is not a franchise or a franchisee organization but represents the franchising INTERNAT IONAL FRANCHISE ASSOCIAT ION business model. Currently, the business model is used by over 300 different industry sectors or business types. Serving both an advocacy and educational role, the IFA has the best interest of its members at the heart of its operating model. While most individuals associate franchises with restaurants or quick-service establishments (e.g. McDonald’s), these only make up 40% of the business model market. The variation of businesses that utilize franchises is truly endless, encompassing businesses from Fitness studios Nail, hair salons, and childcare facilities to plumbing business and pet care services. “The franchise economy touches people in so many different ways. Franchising is a way to grow enterprises or allow people to own a successful business. It is a completely different way of conducting business and is unique,” says Haller. Around 20 years ago, the board of directors