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September 30, 2026

Penny Bill To Become Law

Franchise businesses that accept cash payments can be pleased that the IFA-supported bill, H.R. 10167, the Common Cents Act, unanimously passed the U.S. Senate on Sept. 28 and is now headed to President’s desk to be signed into law.

Why It Matters: After the U.S. Treasury officially ended production of the penny last year, the final legislation will establish uniform guidance allowing cash transactions to be rounded to the nearest five cents when exact change is unavailable, which is good news for many restaurant, salon and other franchises that accept cash.

What Happens Next: The President will sign the legislation into law in the next several days.

Oregon City Targets Loyalty Apps

Portland, Oregon is moving an ordinance that would ban setting prices based on a customer's personal data and cap price increases that, if adopted, would take effect July 1, 2027.

Why It Matters: Known as "surveillance pricing," lawmakers wrote the ordinance with big grocery chains in mind, but it would also apply to franchise owners of all sizes.

What's Next: The ordinance sits with the City Life Committee before moving to the full Council for a vote.

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IFA Comments on FTC Pricing Proposal

On Sept. 25, IFA urged the FTC to withdraw its proposed policy on "personalized pricing," which warns businesses that using customer data to set prices without explaining how could trigger enforcement.

Why It Matters: The proposal targets a few bad actors overcharging vulnerable consumers but would sweep in ordinary loyalty programs, discounts, and promotions, impose disclosures that can't practically be made at checkout, and ignore that franchisees set their own prices.

What's Next: The FTC will review the nearly 4,500 comments before deciding whether to finalize, revise, or drop the statement.

IFA Participates in Healthcare Roundtable

Last week IFA’s Haider Murtaza participated in a healthcare roundtable conversation to identify key policy areas for franchisees to provide better and affordable healthcare coverage for their employees.  

The Big Picture: As many franchisees seek to provide affordable health coverage for their employees, conflicting labor rules and state laws can limit their options, but IFA has identified defined-contribution models like ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements) as an option that can allow owners to offer portable, tax-free subsidies for individual health insurance without franchisors dictating benefit terms.

What’s Next: IFA is also tracking Rep. Eric Burlison's (R-MO) Great American Healthcare Act (H.R. 10015) that would allow every American to have an HSA, raise the annual contribution limit to match a 401(k), expand qualified HSA expenses, and strengthen price transparency.