Professional Franchise Organization Built for Franchisors, Franchisees and Suppliers

Atlanta, GA -- With Atlanta serving as the franchise industry's hot bed, home to more than 40 different franchise headquarters, a group of industry veterans have launched the Atlanta Franchise Alliance, a professional organization for franchisors, franchisees and suppliers. The ATLFA, supporting the ever booming business model that has grown to more than 750,000 franchise businesses in the U.S. accounting for $1.5 trillion in economic output, will officially launch, at its Feb.14 inaugural meeting.

"The ATLFA will bring the local franchise community together, as an extension of the best practices offered globally, by the IFA. (International Franchise Association) The ATLFA will provide local resources to franchise professionals, as an association with unlimited networking potential through members working together to improve our growing industry," said Stan Friedman, co-founder and chairman of the ATLFA and Chief Development Officer of MaggieMoo's International. "While some organizations limit membership by category, to a select few, the newly launched ATLFA opens its doors to everyone -- franchisors, franchisees and suppliers alike."

"The ATLFA doesn't stop with networking either. We will provide valuable educational resources to our membership," said Karen Spencer, co-founder and vice chair of the ATLFA and founder and CEO of Fran-Systems Worldwide, Inc. "Each meeting will feature high level speakers with messages that are relevant to the entire franchise community, franchisors, franchisees and suppliers alike. Our meetings, educational seminars and web-based resources will help connect area executives with others that can help them grow their systems and businesses."

The ATLFA, is led by Atlanta-based franchise industry veterans including Friedman and Spencer; Steve Romaniello, President and CEO of FOCUS Brands, Inc.; Scott Pressly, Partner of Roark Capital Group; Kay Marie Ainsley, Managing Director of Michael H. Seid & Associates ,Charles Hoff, corporate lawyer and Managing Partner of the hospitality law practice group at Taylor-Busch, Martin Tanenbaum, Tax Principal at Tauber & Balser, P.C.;, LLC; Sam Haddock, multi-unit franchisee of Moe's Southwest Grill and Donato's Pizza; and Sherri Daye Scott, Editor of QSR Magazine.

"The International Franchise Association commends the Atlanta Franchise Alliance for its efforts to engage the local franchising community on issues most critical to the franchising sector," said Scott Lehr, Vice President of Development and Marketing for the IFA.

For more information about the ATLFA, visit www.atlantafranchisealliance.com.

About the ATLFA (Atlanta Franchise Alliance)
Since there are now more franchisors based in Atlanta, Georgia than in any other city in the U.S., now was the time for the creation of the ATLFA. Based on the belief, that a local franchise alliance should model itself after the best practices of the IFA, the ATLFA offers programs of importance to franchisors, franchisees and suppliers, with a mission to open its doors to any and all that will benefit from the strength of the business model of franchising. For more information on the ATLFA, www.atlantafranchisealliance.com