The Next 250 Years: The American Franchise Act Can Help Secure Franchising's Future

Another Independence Day has come and gone, and one thing stood out to me: Americans are looking backward right now, but we’re also looking ahead.

The kickoff of our nation’s 250th anniversary was certainly a celebration of history. But it was also a reminder of the values that have al-ways driven America forward: opportunity, entrepreneurship, and the belief that anyone willing to work hard should get the chance to build something of their own.

Those values are alive and well in franchising.

We saw brands bring back household favorites to mark the occasion, reminding us all that franchising truly is a part of our nation’s history. Franchising has been around since the days of Benjamin Franklin and Martha Matilda Harper. Today, franchise owners open their doors, create jobs, mentor employees, and invest in the communities they call home.

That’s the message we’ve carried through IFA’s Franchise Means Local campaign. Through true stories from Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Arizona, and Virginia, we’ve met franchise owners who make one thing clear: Franchising isn’t run out of corporate headquarters. It’s run out of Main Street.

In this 250th year, franchising and these stories are having a real moment. And it’s up to all of us to keep that moment alive and ensure this business model stays strong for the next generation.

The bipartisan American Franchise Act is the way to achieve that, and now is the time to get it done. This is the most significant opportunity in decades to give franchise businesses the long-term certainty they need to invest, grow, and create opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs. Momentum is building in Congress, but the clock is ticking as we head toward the end of the session. Legislation like this only moves when business owners make their voices heard, and this is our one opportunity.

So, I hope you’ll prioritize joining us Sept. 14–16 at the 2026 IFA Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., to get this bill across the finish line. This event is one of the most memorable trips you can make. We hope that brands will bring their largest numbers of franchisees, that franchisees will bring their teams and families, and that our loyal supplier community will be there to lend their voices every step of the way. This event is for everyone in franchising, and everyone in franchising should be there.

We have announced top-name speakers, including former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, the talent behind the “Ruthless Podcast,” and members of Congress. And this event will be different than in years past. We are taking advantage of the city around us and holding our programming at the historic Union Station. There also will be events at the new IFA office before we head to Capitol Hill for our final push as a franchise community to get the American Franchise Act passed into law.

As we reflect on the ideals we celebrated this Fourth of July and look toward America’s next 250 years, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to keep franchising one of the strongest pathways to entrepreneurship this country has. The American Franchise Act is the way to get that done. And it takes everyone in franchising to make it possible.

The American dream isn’t preserved by chance. It’s strengthened by the people willing to advocate for it.

I look forward to seeing you in Washington this September.

Matt Haller is president and CEO of the International Franchise Association.