IFA

Franchises Criticize War on Styrofoam as Expensive, Unproductive
Franchises

Franchises Criticize War on Styrofoam as Expensive, Unproductive

Portland, Maine, joins the list of cities mulling a ban on polystyrene - a move that small-business owners and franchisees say will unfairly increase costs.
Kate Taylor | 4 min read
Franchise Sector Seen Growing Faster Than Broader Economy; Health Care, Regulation Top Franchisee Concerns
Franchises

Franchise Sector Seen Growing Faster Than Broader Economy; Health Care, Regulation Top Franchisee Concerns

While the franchise sector is forecast to grow faster than the broader economy, franchisees are concerned by increasing government regulations and pessimistic about the future of small business.
Kate Taylor | 2 min read
Taxes, Healthcare and Immigration: Preview of the 2013 IFA Public Affairs Conference
Franchises

Taxes, Healthcare and Immigration: Preview of the 2013 IFA Public Affairs Conference

A look at how the International Franchise Association plans to advocate for the franchise industry's interests in Washington.
Kate Taylor | 3 min read
Businesses Have Additional Year Before Facing Obamacare Penalty Fees
Growth Strategies

Businesses Have Additional Year Before Facing Obamacare Penalty Fees

The Obama Administration announces that it will delay the health-reform fines for businesses with 50 or more employees until 2015.
Catherine Clifford | 3 min read
Report: Franchise Jobs Grow at Twice U.S. Rate
Franchises

Report: Franchise Jobs Grow at Twice U.S. Rate

A new report today from ADP and Moody's shows the franchise industry added nearly 20,000 jobs in May.
Catherine Clifford | 2 min read
Lending to Franchises Reaches the Highest Level Since the Recession
Finance

Lending to Franchises Reaches the Highest Level Since the Recession

Banks are expected to make $23.9 billion available to franchise businesses this year, according to a new report by the International Franchise Association.
Catherine Clifford | 2 min read
Catch Me a Catch: Franchise Industry, Shopping Centers Play Matchmaker
Franchises

Catch Me a Catch: Franchise Industry, Shopping Centers Play Matchmaker

Move over, eHarmony, JDate and ChristianMingle. There's a new player in the online matchmaking space.
Dinah Wisenberg Brin
Back to Civilian Life, Veterans Try Franchises
Franchises

Back to Civilian Life, Veterans Try Franchises

Last Veteran's Day, the franchise industry announced a new program for returning soldiers. We catch up on its progress.
Dinah Wisenberg Brin
Small-Business Lending: Getting Better, Still Not Great
Finance

Small-Business Lending: Getting Better, Still Not Great

Small-business lending has been showing signs of life, albeit not the activity seen before the recession.
Catherine Clifford
Should Franchisees Participate in Small Business Saturday?
Franchises

Should Franchisees Participate in Small Business Saturday?

A franchise advocate is lobbying American Express to allow franchisees from small outfits to take part in its holiday marketing campaign designed to promote independently-owned enterprises.
Dinah Wisenberg Brin