Last week, Advocacy Summit ended Wednesday. The momentum continued Thursday. Nearly 200 people joined the IFA Foundation and BFLC for #ChampionsOfFranchising, focused on ownership, opportunity and pathways into franchising. Looking forward to next year's event!

The @IFAWorldShow is officially underway in Fort Lauderdale! 🎉 We kicked off Day 1 with a ribbon cutting and welcome remarks from Carla McLean of Business Show Media, IFA COO Jennifer Brandeen, and Jerry Akers, CFE, multi-unit and multi-brand franchisee with @GreatClips, @thejointchiro, and ZDynamix. Now the show floor is open, bringing together 300+ franchise brands, and thousands of prospective franchisees, entrepreneurs, and investors to connect, learn, and explore opportunities across the franchise community. We’re excited for two days of conversations, connections, and all things franchising. If you’re here, come say hello to the IFA team! 📍 Fort Lauderdale 📅 September 25–26

At #IFA26Advocacy, IFA President and CEO @matthewhaller was interviewed by Tiffany Ogle on What’s Brewing Wisconsin @tmj4 to highlight the 2026 IFA Franchisees of the Year — behind a big brand name is a small business owner who serves their local communities. Franchising gives entrepreneurs the support they need to grow their own business and create opportunities where they live: tmj4.com/shows/whats-brewing…

More than 500 franchise advocates took to Capitol Hill last week during #IFA26Advocacy with one clear message: Pass the bipartisan American Franchise Act. Franchisees shared firsthand with lawmakers why long-term certainty around the joint employer standard matters for their businesses and communities — and why Congress should prioritize supporting small businesses this year. As Jonathan Steward, a @mosquitoshield and @MrHandyman franchise owner, said, “I didn't leave that career to become someone's employee. I left to own something of my own and to build a team and culture as part of a brand I believe in. The American Franchise Act would codify a fair standard and give our industry the long-term certainty it needs...” Read more from attendees at @franupdatemedia as they made their voices heard in Washington. ⬇️ franchising.com/articles/202…

“Advocacy doesn't happen from the sidelines.” - @matthewhaller Nearly 600 members of the franchise community came to D.C. for #IFA26Advocacy — the largest Advocacy Summit in IFA history — with hundreds of franchisees, franchisors, and suppliers taking to Capitol Hill to advocate for the American Franchise Act and share their stories directly with the people who need to hear them. More via @franupdatemedia: franchising.com/articles/202…

STRETCH Zone CEO and President Tony Zaccario joined @alyssabutterson, host of Carolina Showcase, to share how franchised businesses are run by small business owners and how they provide jobs for their local communities. Watch the interview here on @wachfox: #IFA26Advocacy wach.com/features/carolina-s…

“Advocacy doesn't happen from the sidelines.” - @matthewhaller Nearly 600 members of the franchise community came to D.C. for #IFA26Advocacy — the largest Advocacy Summit in IFA history — with hundreds of franchisees, franchisors, and suppliers taking to Capitol Hill to advocate for the American Franchise Act and share their stories directly with the people who need to hear them. More via @franupdatemedia: franchising.com/articles/202…

From Salt Lake City to Capitol Hill 🇺🇸 @angiekatsanevas, founder and franchisor of Lunatic Fringe Salon and star of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, joined IFA in Washington, D.C. for #IFA26Advocacy to advocate for franchising and the local business owners behind it. During a packed day in Washington, Angie helped recognize IFA’s Franchisees of the Year, spoke with media about the impact of franchising, and met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to push for the American Franchise Act. Angie has seen firsthand how franchising can create pathways to entrepreneurship and local business ownership. Thank you, Angie, for continuing to bring that story to a national audience and advocate for the people behind franchising!

IFA President & CEO @matthewhaller reflects on the record-breaking turnout at #IFA26Advocacy Summit, including 252 first-time attendees, who came together in D.C. with one goal: advancing the bipartisan American Franchise Act. More voices, more stories, and more franchise advocates on Capitol Hill made this year’s Summit our biggest yet. Read the takeaways from his main stage presentation: franchise.org/2026/09/a-hist…

IFA President and CEO @matthewhaller joined host @shawnpwalchef on the Digital Hospitality podcast to discuss trends in franchise growth, how IFA protects the franchise model, why storytelling is so important, and what IFA events the franchise community needs to mark on their calendars. Listen here: piped.video/watch?v=mmJ9bnbb…

Take a look inside IFA’s largest fly-in event to date. Nearly 600 franchise leaders. Three days. One franchise community coming together in Washington, D.C. The IFA26 Advocacy Summit brought franchisees, franchisors and suppliers from across the country together to connect, learn and advocate for the future of franchising. From IFA headquarters to Union Station to Capitol Hill to Franchise Fest, we celebrated 88 Franchisees of the Year, heard from leaders across franchising and Washington, and took the stories of local franchise businesses directly to lawmakers with one clear message: Pass the American Franchise Act. Thank you to everyone who traveled to Washington, shared their story and showed the power of the franchise community. The Summit may be over, but the momentum continues. Let’s get the American Franchise Act across the finish line. #IFA26Advocacy #PassTheAFA #FranchiseMeansLocal

“The Trump Administration fully supports this bill.” IFA applauds the White House’s support for the bipartisan American Franchise Act, announced by Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley at the 2026 IFA Advocacy Summit. With hundreds of franchise advocates taking their message to Capitol Hill, the call is clear: it’s time to provide long-term certainty for America’s local franchise businesses.

Great day on Capitol Hill with @Franchising411 advocating for the American Franchise Act 🇺🇸 Grateful to meet with Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Kevin Hern & Aaron Bean, and the offices of Sens. McCormick & Fetterman. Franchising works. Advocacy matters. #PassTheAFA @RepBrianFitz @SenMcCormickPA @SenFettermanPA

Franchises support more than 10,000 jobs in New York’s 4th Congressional District and play an important role in growing our local economy. It was great to meet with @Franchising411 about supporting the small business owners creating jobs, strengthening our communities and moving our economy forward.

Local franchise owners need clear federal rules so they can hire workers, follow the law, and operate their businesses. That was the focus of my meeting with Cecilia Johnson of The Gents Place in Jourdanton, other Texas franchise owners, and representatives from @Franchising411. When federal standards keep changing, it creates uncertainty for small business owners and local employers. I am an original cosponsor of the American Franchise Act, which would provide a clearer standard for when a franchise brand is considered a joint employer. I will continue working to support small businesses, support local jobs, and make sure employers in South Texas have the certainty they need to operate and grow.

It was great to meet with representatives of the @Franchising411 in my D.C. office. Earlier this year, @HouseSmallBiz held a hearing on how franchising can serve as a pathway to entrepreneurship. With more than 830,000 franchise businesses supporting nearly 9 million jobs across the country, this model plays an important role in communities nationwide.

Catch the latest news from the nation’s capital in today’s @Daily_MailUS DC Insider Newsletter, including what @angiekatsanevas told me about her return visit to Capitol Hill this week to push for @Franchising411’s American Franchise Act. link.news.dailymail.com/view…