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December 10, 2025

Franchise Means Local Rolls On

IFA’s Franchise Means Local campaign is showcasing new franchise business stories from an Arizona Papa Johns owner and a Maine Marriott hotelier who create jobs and power investment in their communities. 

Spotlight — Maine: In Maine, franchisee Sean Riley (video) shows how a hospitality career built on service and heart can ripple across an entire community. In Arizona, Papa John's owner Nadeem Bajwa (video) shares how franchising gave him the chance to build the life he dreamed of. 

What’s Next: IFA will continue rolling out new content on franchisemeanslocal.org and across advocacy channels as additional franchisee shoots take place across the country. These videos remind policymakers that franchising is built on local entrepreneurs, not corporate chains.

IFA Calls for WOTC Extension

IFA led a coalition urging the U.S. Congress to advance bipartisan legislation strengthening and extending the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). The letter — coordinated through the Critical Labor Coalition — reflects growing momentum to preserve a program that helps businesses hire individuals facing barriers to employment. 

Why It Matters: WOTC remains one of the most effective tools to build the U.S. workforce by expanding hiring opportunities for those who need it most. For franchise owners who rely on hiring incentives to meet staffing needs, long-term certainty on this issue is essential.

Our Thought Bubble: Included in IFA’s 2025 Roadmap For Small Business Growth, WOTC remains a priority for IFA, who will continue working with coalition partners to advocate for this important legislation.

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IFA Urges Senate Vote on NLRB Nominations

After the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee voted 12–11 to advance Scott Mayer’s nomination to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) last week, IFA led a coalition urging U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to schedule a prompt floor vote.

Why It Matters: Currently, the five-member NLRB only has one member and four vacancies, which means the independent agency lacks a quorum to provide clear rules for franchise businesses, and IFA has called for an NLRB consisting of pro-growth appointees to support the future and stability of the franchise model.

What’s Next: Mayer now awaits full Senate consideration. IFA will continue advocating for congressional leadership to bring his nomination to the floor without delay. 

Supreme Court Considers FTC Independence

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard opening arguments in Trump vs. Slaughter, a case stemming from President Donald Trump's March 2025 firing of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) member Rebecca Slaughter. 

Dig Deeper: At issue is the precedent of Humphrey’s Executor, the 1935 decision limiting the President’s authority to dismiss a Commissioner of the FTC. The Court’s decision could have implications for the limits on presidential removal power for independent agency officials, including the NLRB. 

What Else: Currently, the FTC, with whom IFA works with on modernizing disclosure requirements under the Franchise Rule as part of our Responsible Franchising principles, is down to only two commissioners after Republican appointee Melissa Holyoak stepped down from her post in November.