Coalition to Save Local Businesses (CSLB)

The American Franchise Act has officially been introduced in Congress! A clear, permanent joint employer standard must pass. Join the fight for franchise freedom. Learn More: savelocalbusinesses.com/announcement-p…

Today on Capitol Hill, a group of Maryland franchisees met with @RepJohnnyO to thank him for his leadership on the American Franchise Act – a bipartisan bill that would bring clarity to the joint employer standard that has caused a decade of uncertainty for local businesses. Thank you for your commitment to protecting Maryland’s 16k franchised businesses and their nearly 170k employees.

Today, Josh Rogers, a Missouri based @CampBowWow franchisee, shared his franchising story before @SenateSmallBiz. He highlighted how the franchise model had created a pathway for his entrepreneurship and emphasized how franchises need a clear joint employer standard to operate with certainty, urging lawmakers to pass the American Franchise Act. Read more here: franchise.org/2026/03/pet-ca…

"The federal joint employer standard has unnecessarily changed four times the past 10 years, and it has harmed the fundamental franchisor franchisee relationship in our community… The bipartisan American Franchise Act, introduced by @RogerMarshallMD and @SenAngusKing, is the simplest way to help franchise small businesses. It provides the clarity we desperately need by codifying a narrow joint employer standard for franchising,” Josh Rogers a @CampBowWow franchisee before @SenateSmallBiz.

This week, Luke Andrus, a proud Louisianian and @AnytimeFitness franchise owner, came to Washington to advocate for the American Franchise Act on Capitol Hill. Meeting with his representatives and senators, he highlighted why this bill is essential for America’s 832,000 franchised businesses as it would provide clarity regarding the joint employer standard that has changed 4 times in the last decade and protect franchise owners’ autonomy for the long-term. 

As support for the bipartisan American Franchise Act continues to grow, IFA thanks Luke for using his voice to help advance the bill and encourages any franchisees interested in meeting with their members of Congress to contact the IFA government relations team at advocacy@franchise.org.

@franchising411 has released its 2026 Franchising Economic Outlook – showcasing the resiliency and continued growth of the franchise model. The report shows that with strong policies to support franchising, these local businesses will thrive. The American Franchise Act is essential to protect the business model's future, clarifying the joint employer standard once and for all. Read the full report here: franchise.org/franchising-ec…

As a franchisee and navy veteran, Clement Troutman understands how franchising creates pathways for entrepreneurship, especially for veterans. In his op-ed in @TheWellNews, Clement urges Congress to pass the bipartisan American Franchise Act to protect his Maryland franchise businesses and the hundreds of thousands more across the country. The bill would create the legislative certainty that small business owners like Clement and his family need -- and deserve. Read the full op-ed here: thewellnews.com/opinions/congr…

In North Carolina, more than 30,000 franchises are employing over 328,000 workers and generating approximately $34 billion for our state economy. H.R. 5267, the American Franchise Act, provides much-needed stability for small business franchise owners We thank the @ProbSolveCaucus for recognizing that this bill is rooted in fairness, opportunity, and ensuring entrepreneurs from every walk of life have a real shot at living the American Dream. problemsolverscaucus.house.gov/media/press-re…

The American Franchise Act: Re-Defining Joint Employer Liability jdsupra.com/legalnews/the-… | by @Akerman_Law

Thank you to the House @ProbSolveCaucus for endorsing the American Franchise Act. In the lodging sector alone, franchised hotels support more than 2.8 million jobs, account for nearly 60% of all U.S. hotels, and generate nearly $100 billion in annual economic impact. The American Franchise Act would strengthen the franchise model by providing clear, consistent standards for franchisors under federal labor law.

Following this week's @ProbSolveCaucus endorsement, “The Franchise King” discusses how the American Franchise Act can resolve the regulatory uncertainty that has negatively affected the franchise community for a decade. This announcement shows the strong bipartisan support for the measure as the back-and-forth regulatory changes have hurt small business owners and created barriers for local entrepreneurs interested in pursuing franchising. Read here: thefranchiseking.com/problem-solver…

Clear rules matter. @probsolvecaucus' endorsement of the American Franchise Act is a bipartisan win for franchise owners, workers, and the small businesses powering our communities. Learn more: bit.ly/4c4E56n

The bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus has announced its endorsement of the American Franchise Act! This endorsement signals the growing momentum for the legislation and a bipartisan desire to solve the changing joint employer standard once and for all. Thank you to @RepChuckEdwards and @RepDonDavis for leading the charge for this bipartisan group whose support will help protect the future of franchised small businesses across America.

Big news for the American Franchise Act! The @ProbSolveCaucus has endorsed the bill, saying "Franchise businesses are a major part of the U.S. economy, employing about 8.8 million workers and generating nearly $900 billion each year. But frequent changes in federal labor standards have created uncertainty for franchise owners and workers. This uncertainty has made it harder for these small, family-owned businesses to invest and plan for the future. The American Franchise Act would provide clear, uniform standards for franchise relationships under federal labor law." Read the full release: problemsolverscaucus.house.gov/media/press-re…

ICYMI: Last week, @RepScholten shared why she is proud to lead on the #AmericanFranchiseAct, stressing the importance of legislation that matches the uniqueness of the franchise model - providing clarity to the joint employer standard, while still protecting worker’s rights.

During the recent @HouseSmallBiz hearing, @RepJohnnyO demonstrated the power of the franchise model using the example of @celebreeschool, which was founded in 1994 in his congressional district. The franchise has now expanded across the nation, generating new businesses, creating meaningful jobs, and providing an essential service to local communities. Thank you for your support of the American Franchise Act and championing Maryland’s franchised businesses!

The American Franchise Act is now up to 74 co-sponsors, and the support only continues to grow! Thank you to our franchise champions for protecting small businesses and their employees in your states and districts. Your support provides franchisees with the certainty they need to run a thriving business.

Yesterday Real Housewife @angiekatsanevas and three franchisee leaders testified before @HouseSmallBiz to advocate for franchising, including the bipartisan American Franchise Act. They stressed the importance of certainty for small business owners and the need for policies that fit the unique franchise model. Read more here: savelocalbusinesses.squarespace.com/news-resources…

“I’m also proud to join this bipartisan group of legislators co sponsoring the American Franchise Act. I think it’s an important step forward for this committee, this Congress, and this country.” - Congressman Olszewski

"The American Franchise Act takes a narrower approach than the bill that's been mentioned (Save Local Business Act). It recognizes the joint employer status only when there is a substantial direct and immediate control over employment decisions." - Congressman LaLota