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The International Franchise Association (IFA), along with the Mexican Franchise Association (AMF) and the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA), signed a historic Trilateral Cooperation Agreement establishing a permanent framework for collaboration among the leading franchise organizations in the three countries with an agenda focused on institutional strengthening, education and training, research, the exchange of best practices, and internationalization.
Combined, the three associations represent more than 1 million franchise establishments, 6,600 brands, and 500 million consumers across North America.
"This historic agreement is a major milestone for IFA and the entire North American franchise community," said Alan Catlett, IFA senior vice president of programs and operations, who was present in Mexico City for the occasion. "By joining forces to share best practices and accelerate brand expansion across borders, we are opening powerful new opportunities for the more than 6,000 brands across North America. This collaboration empowers business leaders with better insights and creates meaningful pathways to ownership and upward mobility for the next generation of entrepreneurs."
"What we are signing today began with a very simple conversation among us: Why not work together? Today, that conversation becomes a historic milestone," said Betsy Eslava Altamirano, president of the Mexican Franchise Association (AMF). "Mexico, the United States and Canada have different markets, but we have so much to learn from one another. We want this alliance to open doors and make it easier for our companies to learn about, understand, and enter each other's markets."
"This partnership marks a pivotal step for franchising across Canada and our North American neighbors," said Sherry L. McNeil, CFE, president & CEO of the CFA. "By aligning our efforts, we can share proven strategies, reduce barriers to cross-border growth, and help Canadian brands scale successfully into the U.S. and Mexican markets while welcoming new opportunities at home. Together, we are strengthening the franchise model's ability to create jobs, foster entrepreneurship, and deliver meaningful economic impact."
Among the agreement's main objectives is to facilitate brand expansion across the three countries through greater information sharing on regulations, intellectual property, cost structures, supply chains, consumers, and market-entry strategies. The agreement specifically calls for joint internationalization projects and the sharing of best practices.
The Trilateral Cooperation Agreement is an instrument between business associations and does not constitute an international treaty, create legal obligations for governments, or alter existing legislation.
Following the signing in Mexico City, a permanent work agenda began, including projects focused on training, research, information and best-practice sharing, and internationalization.
Two immediate objectives were established: