Front Royal Franchise Owner Recogonized for Outstanding Contributions to Franchising

Front Royal, VA, October 03, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Aire Serv franchisee Ray and Tina Bramble of Front Royal, VA was honored today by the International Franchise Association with its annual Franchisee of the Year Award. Franchise owner-operators representing 53 franchise systems were recognized today during the IFA’s Franchise Action Network Annual Meeting, formerly the Public Affairs Conference, for their outstanding performance and the contributions they have made to enhance the growth and development of franchising. Each award winner was selected by their franchise company. More information about Aire Serv of Bull Run can be found at: www.aireserv.com/bull-run

“The strength of the U.S. economy significantly relies on the hard work of franchisees,” said IFA Executive Vice President of Government Relations & Public Policy Robert Cresanti. “IFA is proud to recognize the outstanding efforts of Ray and Tina with the Franchisee of the Year Award and thank them for their work in the promotion of franchising as well as for their daily contributions that not only showcase how local business owners propel the economy, but also foster community ties throughout the U.S.”

The Franchisee of the Year Award is a major component of the IFA’s Franchise Action Network Annual Meeting, which brings more than 400 franchise business leaders together in Washington, D.C. to carry the key messages of franchising to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. During the two-day event, which began Sept. 28 and continues through Sept. 30, franchise industry leaders will meet with over 200 congressional offices about issues important to the future of franchising, including specifically labor and workforce issues. The Franchise Action Network is a powerful tool to help forward IFA’s advocacy efforts and further increase awareness about how franchising can contribute to economic recovery and job growth and educate lawmakers how franchise businesses contribute to their local communities. The event is supported by founding sponsor ADP Small Business Services.

During their visits to Washington, IFA members are highlighting the economic impact of franchising. Franchise businesses directly support nearly 8.9 million workers and contribute more than $890 billion to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product, or 3 percent of total private sector GDP.

Despite these encouraging growth numbers, the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) recent ‘joint employer’ ruling has thrown a wrench into the economic growth potential of the franchising business model and its proven ability to create jobs, deliberately ignoring decades of regulatory, legal and legislative precedent, which clearly separates businesses from their franchisors. IFA members will bring this message to Capitol Hill to educate lawmakers about the dangers of the NLRB’s ruling and the negative impact it will create on job growth, the economy and locally-owned franchise small businesses in every state.

“Lawmakers in Washington would do well to remember that with sound regulatory policies, franchise businesses can create the jobs necessary for sustained economic recovery and job growth,” Cresanti said. “Unchecked regulatory overreach by a single agency, run by officials with a defined, narrow and parochial interest, has the capacity to derail significant economic activity in the United States; destroying the dreams of small business ownership one small company at a time.”