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November 5, 2025

IFA Leaders Meet with Vice President Vance

Yesterday, IFA President and CEO Matt Haller, along with five franchise owners representing a variety of industries, met with Vice President JD Vance to stress the importance of the franchise business model to the American economy.

Why it Matters: Vance has positioned himself as a populist voice within the Administration and is a key voice to ensure the Trump Administration’s support for policies to protect franchising.

What Else: The meeting provided an opportunity to reinforce franchising’s role in creating local jobs and stress the importance of the American Franchise Act to provide certainty to all franchise businesses, which is up to 37 bipartisan cosponsors in the House.

IFA Continues Call to End Shutdown

Congress remains at an impasse as the federal government shutdown has reached the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

Why it Matters: IFA continues urging Congress to pass a clean funding bill and reopen the government, which continues to strain short-term franchise business growth and consumer confidence nationwide.

Go Deeper: IFA joined a large coalition of business leaders in a letter this week calling for passage of a continuing resolution “to allow negotiations to continue on spending measures moving through Congress.” Read more on the impacts to franchising here.

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Small Business Administration Highlights Franchisees

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) last month highlighted several visits by Administration officials to local franchises across the country, including McDonald’s, Eggs Up Grille, and Minuteman Press, writing, “Franchises operate in every corner of the country and tend to be on the front lines of the American economy.”

Why it Matters: As part of the Administration’s efforts to reduce regulatory burdens, the local owners highlighted the challenges of the changing joint employer standards, proposals from the Federal Trade Commission, and changes at the Department of Labor.

By the Numbers: According to the SBA, 4,800 small businesses have been blocked from receiving $2.5 billion in capital since the start of the shutdown. Every day the shutdown continues means another 320 small businesses will not have access to the SBA-backed commercial loans these businesses were counting on for expansion and growth.

IFA Urges Treasury to Modernize Payments

IFA joined the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) in submitting comments to the U.S. Treasury Department on its request for information on implementing the GENIUS Act, IFA-supported legislation to increase payment choice competition that passed earlier this year.

Why it Matters: Payment costs remain a top pressure point for franchisees, and the filing aligns with IFA’s broader push for swipe-fee reform alongside IFA’s advocacy for the Credit Card Competition Act, urging competition and lower costs in consumer-to-business payments.

What’s Next: Treasury is reviewing submissions and will outline next steps for agency implementation. IFA also submitted comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on a similar issue. 

Democrats Sweep Key States

Democrats delivered a strong election night nationally, securing key victories across statehouses in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York and winning a major redistricting battle in California.

Why it Matters: The results signal renewed Democratic strength in suburban and urban strongholds — and could reshape the national map before the midterms.

Go Deeper:

• In Virginia, Abigail Spanberger became the state’s first woman governor and led a Democratic “blue wave” in the legislature.
• New Jersey flipped fully blue as Mikie Sherrill ended a 64-year streak of alternating party control.
• New York elected 34-year-old Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor.
• California’s Proposition 50 gives Democrats new redistricting power — potentially five more U.S. House seats.

Zoom Out: Democrats’ gains across key population centers point to a stronger national footing as both parties gear up for 2026.

Olympia Prop 1 Vote Too Close to Call

Olympia voters appear set to reject Proposition 1 — the so-called “Workers’ Bill of Rights” — in Tuesday’s election. As of Wednesday morning, the tally shows 56% of voters voting "no" and 44% voting "yes." The measure would have required steep wage hikes and strict new rules for local businesses, including franchises. 

Why it Matters: The outcome prevents major new costs and compliance burdens for franchise owners and protects local jobs and business growth.

Go Deeper: IFA and its coalition partners, through the Olympia Together campaign, helped lead the successful effort to defeat the initiative and ensure a fairer environment for small business owners.