The CFA Voice® is the e-newsletter for Coalition of Franchisee Associations® and is strictly for informational purposes. CFA® does not endorse or support any of the views expressed in this digest.

Some stories highlighted in the CFA Voice® are contributed by CFA members. If you would like to share with fellow members the achievements, milestones, anniversaries, special events or more within your organization, please send your content to Ivy Odom at ivyo@elevanta.com

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Dear CFA Members,

As we approach the end of 2026, this will be our final newsletter of the year. I want to take a moment to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, or other holidays and traditions, I hope this time of year brings you and your families an opportunity to enjoy time together. I also want to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year.

We recently concluded our CFA Board of Directors meeting in Dallas at the end of October. We had some very productive discussions covering a number of important topics, including government affairs, the current state of franchising, and how franchisees are navigating the challenges facing their businesses. We also welcomed several guest speakers who provided insightful presentations and perspectives on issues that are important to our membership.

While 2026 has certainly been a challenging year for franchisees, the outlook for 2027 suggests we may be facing many of those same challenges. Economic forecasts continue to raise concerns, and the results of the recent election will likely bring issues such as minimum wages and unionization to the forefront of the franchise industry.

These are issues that can have a significant impact on your business, and CFA will be actively advocating on your behalf to protect the interests of franchisees. In addition, we will be hosting several important webinars in the coming months to help keep you informed and provide insight into these issues and others that directly affect your business. Please watch for upcoming announcements and details.

As always, CFA remains committed to giving franchisees a voice and ensuring that our interests are represented where decisions affecting our businesses are being made. But our strength comes from our membership. The more engaged and involved franchisees are, the stronger our collective voice becomes. I encourage everyone to stay connected, participate, and take advantage of the resources and opportunities CFA provides. The issues we face are too important for any of us to sit on the sidelines.

Thank you for your continued membership and support. I wish you all a safe and enjoyable holiday season and a happy, healthy, and successful 2027.

Bill Mathis

Chairman

Coalition of Franchisee Associations

Franchising Fact

A new franchise business opens approximately every 8 minutes during each business day.



Source: fibrenew.com

POLITICAL & GOVERNMENT UPDATES

On November 3, 2026, midterm elections generated a historic shift in power, with Democrats not only capturing swing seats but securing victories in states and districts that have been longtime Republican strongholds. Results are still coming in, but in 2027, Democrats will take control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate and have secured control of five governor's offices and four state legislatures that were previously controlled by Republicans.

Of great concern is the leadership race for Congress’ labor committees – whose jurisdiction covers many franchisee issues. The House Education & Workforce Committee Chairmanship Congress candidates are Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), who has led committee Democrats since 2015; Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05), who joined the committee in 2019; and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), who joined the committee in 2013. Current Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI-05) will likely be the committee’s ranking member unless Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT) challenges him as he did several years ago.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s leadership is more of a mystery at this point. While Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT) will very likely now Chair the Committee, there are many factors in play for who will be the Republican lead. The current Republican members, in order of committee seniority, are Sens. Cassidy (LA), Paul (KY), Collins (ME), Murkowski (AK), Marshall (KS), T. Scott (SC), Hawley (MO), Tuberville (AL), Banks (IN), Husted (OH), Moody (FL) and Armstrong (OK). With Cassidy, Collins, Marshall and Husted all losing their re-elections, Tuberville becoming Alabama’s governor and the surviving senators currently chairing (and therefore now possibly opting to become the ranking members) of other committees, Sen. Josh Hawley may very well be the next ranking member of HELP. With his sponsorship of several pro-union bills and Sen. Sanders holding the gavel; franchisees may face real threats of unionizing in the next two years. Stay tuned.

Misty Chally

CEO, Capitol Solutions LLC

POLITICAL & GOVERNMENT NEWS



Small Business Insider: Election Response, Entrepreneurial Surge, Policy Update & More 

Following the 2026 midterm elections, SBE Council President and CEO Karen Kerrigan called on newly elected and returning officials to work across party lines to address affordability, economic uncertainty and barriers to small-business opportunities. Citing SBE Council’s latest Small Business Check Up Survey, Kerrigan emphasized growing concerns about inflation, energy costs and access to capital, even as small businesses demonstrate remarkable resilience. 

Read more: SBE Council 

Trump Tariffs Hitting Small-Business Owners in Multiple Ways 

President Trump says his tariffs are helping the American economy grow, but for some small businesses, the math isn’t working out. From higher prices to fewer products on store shelves, one Virginia shop is finding ways to adapt. For Ben Knezic, running The Cut Butchery in Alexandria, Virginia, a Washington suburb, means offering customers a little bit of everything.   

Read more: KTSM

BUSINESS SMARTS



Ask Curious Questions To Understand Behavior Before Trying To Change It 

Sometimes fast, decisive action isn’t the best response. When you see a behavior that you want to change, in yourself or in others, your impulse is often to change it as quickly as possible. But you won’t get the result you want just by labeling a behavior and trying to change it immediately. You first need to understand the environment in which that behavior makes sense. 

Read more: Forbes 

How To Identify Your Superpowers and Use Them To Advance Your Career 

You don’t need to be Wonder Woman or Spider-Man to wow people with your superpowers. We all have them. Your opportunity is to figure out what yours are and put them to work for your career. Your superpowers are among the six drivers of your personal brand. They help you stand out and deliver exceptional value. But a superpower is rarely a broad skill like communication, leadership or data analysis. It’s more specific and personal. It might be making complex ideas feel simple, useful and exciting. Or spotting connections others miss. Or turning a tense, competitive group of colleagues into a collaborative team. 

Read more: Forbes 

WHY I JOINED THE CFA

The following brief video is from Connie Schmidt Kirman, a Kumon Math and Reading Center franchisee. Connie represents the Kumon Franchisee Association, (the IAKF), on the CFA Board. Listen to what Connie says about how the CFA has helped her and her franchisee association.

CFA Mission Statement:

"To leverage the collective strengths of franchisee associations for the benefit of the franchisee community."

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNER MEMBERS!

Click here for a full list of the CFA's partner members.