Franchising Appreciation Day

FRANCHISING APPRECIATION DAY -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 07, 2005)

SPEECH OF
HON. RICHARD H. BAKER
OF LOUISIANA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2005

Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome over 300 franchisee, franchisor, and franchise supplier members of the International Franchise Association who are visiting Washington on September 13 as part of ``Franchise Appreciation Day,'' the IFA's annual fly-in to the Nation's Capital.

As I am sure my colleagues are aware, the IFA is the world's oldest and largest trade association representing the franchise community with a membership roster that includes more than 1,000 franchisors, 8,000 franchisees and 400 suppliers.

Franchising is a driving force of our economy and generates $1.53 trillion in economic output and one-of-every-seven jobs in the Nation's private-sector economy, according to a study conducted for the IFA Educational Foundation by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The ``Economic Impact of Franchised Businesses'' study found that there are more than 760,000 franchised small businesses in the U.S., generating more than 18 million jobs.

Those statistics are impressive enough on their own, but of particular concern and interest to me is the initiative the International Franchise Association has taken to help our veterans move from their service in the armed forces into the world of franchise ownership. Through the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, commonly known as ``VetFran,'' 360 veterans have been assisted in purchasing their own franchise small business, and 120 more are in various stages of negotiation.

VetFran was established by Don Dwyer, the late founder of The Dwyer Group and an IFA leader, during Operation Desert Storm. It was re-initiated following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The program requires that participating franchisors offer veterans their ``best deal'' through discounts or other incentives that are determined by each company, and more than 150 franchise companies that are members of IFA participate.

These businesses provide a great public service to our veterans and our communities, and I would like their names to be officially entered into the Congressional Record so that their good work may be officially recognized. I also would like the Record to include a list of the businesses started in 45 states.

It is inspiring to me to see these companies step up, put their resources on the line and help our veterans. I think it is important to note that these are not Federal dollars--these are private-sector dollars, and I think this program is a model that should be followed and supported by others.

I would also like to add that the good work of this program has been recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, which recently recognized IFA with a Support Sector Champion Award for expanding business opportunities for veterans; the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Veterans Corporation.

Those who know me know that I am no stranger to helping veterans, and earlier this year, I introduced legislation that would ease the way for more U.S. veterans to buy a franchised business.

The ``Veterans Self-Employment Act'' would establish a five-year pilot program that would allow American service members, veterans, national guardsmen, reservists, and qualified others to use some of their Veterans Administration educational assistance to defray training costs associated with obtaining a franchised small business.

Acquiring a franchise is a great way for people to gain the skills they need to successfully open and operate a business, but it often requires ``basic training'' in business education--customer service, daily operations management, business computer systems, inventory control, costing and pricing, and meeting regulatory obligations--as well as specialized training for the goods, services, policies, and practices of the individual franchise system.

The legislation I introduced is endorsed by the International Franchise Association, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill that would help to turn more proud veterans into proud business owners.

When franchise leaders and small business men and women visit us on Franchise Appreciation Day, September 13, I have no doubt that my colleagues will join me in making them feel welcome and discuss public-policy issues that will help franchising to continue to boost the nation's economy, and help our men and women who have fought so valiantly to protect our freedoms. IFA Member Franchisors Participating in the VetFran Program include:

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