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September 24, 2026

IFA Hosts Congressional Black Caucus Event

What Happened: Last week, IFA hosted more than 150 entrepreneurs, aspiring franchisees, corporate executives, and community leaders at its 3rd Annual “Champions of Franchising” Reception during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.

Why It Matters: Hosted by IFA’s Black Franchise Leadership Council, the annual reception is designed to build greater awareness of franchising within the Black community and introduce more aspiring entrepreneurs to the opportunities the franchise business model can provide. By bringing together current and future business owners alongside corporate and community leaders, IFA is building relationships with those interested in using franchising as a pathway to business ownership and wealth creation.

What’s Next: IFA will continue building on the reception’s momentum and expanding its reach during CBC week, strengthening relationships and bringing more entrepreneurs and community leaders into the franchise community.

IFA Member Hosts Pennsylvania Congressman

Last week, IFA Board Member and Sports Clips Franchisee Al Rodriguez hosted U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (PA-16), a cosponsor of the American Franchise Act, at his business in Butler, Pennsylvania to talk directly about how this legislation is for local franchises like his.

Why It Matters: On the heels of the largest-ever IFA Advocacy Summit in Washington last week, IFA is continuing the push for Congress to pass the American Franchise Act this fall to protect the next generation of franchise entrepreneurs.

Take Action: As the 2026 midterm elections loom this fall, you can invite your Member of Congress to visit your business. Contact IFA’s Borsha Sarker, and IFA can help you coordinate a great visit from a your lawmaker.

Los Angeles Proposes Scheduling Requirements

Earlier this month, the Los Angeles City Council approved a motion directing the City Attorney to draft an ordinance extending the City's Fair Workweek Ordinance (FWWO) to fast-food establishments covered by California's FAST Act, the law enacted in September 2002.

Go Deeper: The proposed ordinance would subject covered fast-food employers to Los Angeles’ predictive scheduling requirements, with a delayed implementation timeline for franchise operators, which would require six hours of in-person training for fast-food employees every two years and other requirements. 

Why It Matters: The action moves Los Angeles closer to pairing predictive scheduling requirements with a mandatory worker-rights training program for fast-food employees.

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New York City Launches Unionization Office

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has established the nation's first Mayor's Office of Worker Power (MOWP) to support worker organizing, educate workers on their rights, and coordinate workplace enforcement efforts across city agencies. 

Go Deeper: MOWP will conduct worker listening sessions, connect workers with organizing resources, coordinate with city agencies on labor issues, and develop policy recommendations related to worker protections. While the office does not create new legal obligations for employers, it establishes a dedicated city government infrastructure focused on worker organizing and workplace enforcement. 

Why It Matters: IFA will be monitoring this new development that represents a new role for municipal government in siding with unions against small businesses in New York City.

IFA Advocates for Small Businesses to Compete for Federal Contracts

On September 21, IFA submitted comments on SBA's proposed rewrite of the small business size standards, focusing narrowly on federal contracting and warning that the proposal would make roughly 37,000 established contractors, which together held more than $71 billion in FY 2025 federal work, newly eligible federal contracts reserved for small businesses (referred to as “set asides”).

Why It Matters: The IFA comments cautioned that the SBA’s proposal would make roughly 37,000 established contractors newly eligible for federal contracts set aside for much smaller businesses, including thousands of franchisees.

What’s Next: The SBA’s proposal raises thresholds most sharply in the locally served industries where franchising concentrates like restaurants and hotels, and a final rule is likely out in the new year.