On Tuesday, October 14, IFA staff Erica Farage and Chris Krueger, and a local Philly Pretzel Factory franchisee, Herv Breault took the Franchise Action Network (FAN) to the State Capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The event, which comes after recent industry events in Philadelphia, was a continuance of IFA’s engagement in the state. As a veteran, Herv has achieved his pathway to small business ownership through franchising.
The group had a productive day of Member and senior staff level meetings with the Pennsylvania Delegation. IFA met with the following offices: Senator David Argall, Senator Shirley Kitchen, Representative Cherelle Parker, Senator Tim Solobay, and Senator Mike Stack. Concluding the day, IFA met with the Policy Director of Tom Wolf, candidate for Governor. Mr. Wolf is currently leading in the polls and projected to be the next Governor of Pennsylvania.
The takeaways were clear – the FAN needs to be heard in every state capitol and lawmakers want to hear from you, the franchise small business owners. Educating lawmakers at the state level is an important part of the FAN and its days like this that allow the lawmakers to learn how important the franchising industry is to their state and communities. Through the FAN, franchise small business owners can promote, educate and protect the franchise business model and help tell the franchising story to these decision makers. Locally owned franchises are America’s hidden small businesses, IFA asks your support to get involved, please visit www.FranchiseActionNetowrk.com to sign up.
Specifically in Pennsylvania, the IFA will be working with the state delegation offices and our local members to organize a “FAN, Franchising in your State” day in Harrisburg. These events help educate policy makers on what franchising is and the important role franchising plays to the state economy.
If you would like to get involved with legislative meetings in your state, please contact Erica Farage at efarage@franchise.org or Chris Krueger at ckrueger@franchise.org.