For Steve's entire presentation to CAFA, March 18th, 2014, please click here.

Two weeks ago, I wrote up an overview of How Important Franchising was to the US Economy, based on Steve Caldeira's presentation to CAFA.

I have looked at the presentation further, to find out what the IFA was doing at on the legislative level.

Here is an overview of the IFA's top concerns.

Now, I found it very interesting that the IFA, which is mostly comprised of franchisors, would be interested in "Workforce Regulations".  

My experience as a franchisor is that franchisors are very reluctant to discuss with their franchise owners anything do with HR compliance.  

Franchisors leave it to franchisee owner's to obey all state and federal workplace laws.

Even more puzzling to me was this slide:

Ok, I get why franchisors are worried about anything that extends the jurisdiction or reach of the NRLB.

But, why are franchisors worried about David Weil, "the nominee for Wage & Hour Division Administrator"?

Wage and Hour violations happen at the franchise owner level, unless the franchisor has significant units not in compliance.

The audience didn't get an chance to ask Steve more about this, so I am putting this out there.  

Why should the franchisor be worried about more Wage and Hour violations, unless their own units are not in compliance?  

Why is the franchisee's failure to comply with local state and federal Wage and Hour laws a concern for the franchisor?  I don't get it.

Over the past three years it's become an annual event for the Capital Area Franchise Association - CAFA to have Stephen Caldeira, President of the International Franchise Association - IFA get the new year started with his franchising outlook.

Until this year when unfortunately Steve was unable to make for CAFA's January 2014 lunch & learn event. No worries however Steve made Scott Lehr Vice President U.S. & International Development at the IFA available to take his place. I have known Scott for as long as I have been in franchising and we were pleased to have him stand in for Steve. 

Well our unprecedented winter weather put the kibosh on CAFA's January meeting at the very last minute. We had to reschedule. And when we did I received an email that Steve could speak at our March event.

For those of you who haven't made it to a CAFA event attendees begin arriving around 11:30 AM or so to sign in, get their badges, talk with each other until the lunch service begins. Our featured speakers and panelists session begins at 1:00 PM, ends promptly at 2:00 PM and there's post meeting networking as well.

One of the pleasures of being President of CAFA is every year I get to have Steve at my table for lunch every January and of course this year in March. Which is great and I look forward to it each year. 

Now something I learned about Steve 3 years ago was that when he speaks at a luncheon like CAFA as part of his game plan he forgoes lunch and pays all of his attention on his table mates. This year was no exception. And one of the things he shared with me was how much he enjoys the CAFA meetings each year. There's one additional benefit to sitting with Steve, the table gets an extra dessert to share. 

Both Steve and I in our careers have worked for large QSR franchise systems and we compared notes on franchisee and franchisor relations and in particular working with franchisees to resolve troubled situations. Our experiences paralleled in that it was always more desirable to exhaust all efforts to work things out with franchise owners whenever possible. Franchising and the IFA is fortunate to have a leader like Steve who has hands on franchise experience and is so genuinely relatable and engaging.

In Steve's presentation it was reinforced how vital franchising is to the US economy and livelihoods of so many people.

Here are some select slides that do a great job of showing the importance to and impact of franchising.

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds"

As a result of the snow storm, we are delighted to have a twin bill!

Both Steve Caldeira, President & Scott Lehr, Senior Vice President, U.S. & International Development of the International Franchise Association to speak with us on Tuesday, March 18th 2014, Columbia Country Club, Chevy Chase MD.

Steve & Scott will explain & take quesstions on the IFA's views on the following important topics.

How will the franchise industry grow in 2014?

Will there be additional changes to the ACA, like the definition of a full time worker?

What is IFA doing to combat the rise of state legislation targeting franchise relationships?

How is IFA going to play in the 2014 midterm elections?

 Stephen J. Caldeira, President & CEO  IFA

 Scott Lehr,  Senior VP U.S. & International Development, IFA 

   Warren Lee Lewis, Moderator 

Time: Tuesday, March 18th, 2014 from 11:45 - 2pm

Columbia Country Club, Chevy Chase MD

Registration 11:45 - 12:15 - Lunch 12:15 - 12:45 - RoundTable 12:45-2:00

Click Here to Pay and Register 

We are pleased to have Scott Lehr, Senior Vice President, U.S. & International Development of the International Franchise Association to speak with us on Tuesday January 21st, 2014, Columbia Country Club, Chevy Chase MD.

Scott will explain the IFA's views on the following important topics.

How will the franchise industry grow in 2014?

Will there be additional changes to the ACA, like the definition of a full time worker?

What is IFA doing to combat the rise of state legislation targeting franchise relationships?

How is IFA going to play in the 2014 midterm elections?

 Scott Lehr,  Senior Vice President, U.S. & International Development at International Franchise Association.

   Warren Lee Lewis, Moderator 

Time: January 21st, 2014 from 11:45 - 2pm

Columbia Country Club, Chevy Chase MD

Registration 11:45 - 12:15 - Lunch 12:15 - 12:45 - RoundTable 12:45-2:00

Click Here to Pay and Register