The Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA) today announced its strong support for the passage of Virginia House Bill 69 and Senate Bill 240, landmark legislation that prohibits non-compete clauses in franchise agreements across the Commonwealth of Virginia. The bills were signed into law by Governor Abigail Spanberger and will take effect on July 1, 2026.

This legislation marks a significant advancement in protecting the rights and economic mobility of franchisees. By eliminating non-compete restrictions, Virginia is ensuring that franchise owners have greater freedom to pursue business opportunities and continue contributing to their communities without unnecessary contractual barriers.

The CFA played a central role in supporting this effort, working alongside policymakers, franchisees, and stakeholders to elevate awareness around the impact of non-compete clauses on independent business owners. The Coalition’s advocacy helped drive meaningful reform and bring balance to franchise relationships in the state.

The CFA also extends its sincere appreciation to State Senator Chris Head and State Delegate Dan Helmer for their leadership and commitment in advancing this legislation. Their efforts were instrumental in moving these bills forward and securing meaningful protection for franchisees across Virginia. The CFA further recognizes the contributions of the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) for its partnership and ongoing advocacy in support of franchisee rights, which helped reinforce the importance of this legislative effort.

“This is a meaningful and hard-fought victory for franchisees,” said Bill Mathis, Chairman of the Coalition of Franchisee Associations. “We commend Virginia lawmakers, Senator Head, Delegate Helmer, and Governor Spanberger for recognizing the need to modernize franchise law. The CFA was proud to support House Bill 69 and Senate Bill 240, and we believe this sets an important precedent for other states to follow.”

The CFA remains committed to advancing policies that protect franchisees, strengthen local economies, and promote fair franchising practices nationwide. The passage of this legislation in Virginia reflects growing momentum toward a more equitable franchise business model.

About the Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA) The Coalition of Franchisee Associations is a national organization representing franchisee groups across multiple brands and industries to include over 100,000 locations. The CFA advocates for fair franchising practices, supports independent franchise owners, and works to ensure a balanced and

Media Contact:

Dave Glodowski – Executive Director
daglo@comcast.net

KENNESAW, GA — The Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA), the nation’s largest franchisee-only trade organization, has announced a renewed strategic focus on expanding membership and strengthening franchisee advocacy under newly appointed Executive Director Dave Glodowski, according to a recent Franchise Times interview.

Glodowski, who previously served in leadership roles within the CFA and brings decades of franchisee association experience, returns to the organization with a clear mission: to grow the coalition’s reach, deepen engagement across franchise systems and amplify the collective voice of franchise owners nationwide.

“As franchisees continue to navigate evolving operational and economic pressures, our goal is to ensure they have a stronger, more unified voice at the table,” Glodowski said in the interview. “When franchisees come together, they gain the strength, credibility and influence needed to drive meaningful change across the industry.”

The CFA currently represents franchisee associations across major national brands, including McDonald’s, Dunkin’, Domino’s, 7-Eleven and Planet Fitness. With 15 member associations and growing, the organization serves as a central hub for advocacy, education and collaboration among franchise owners.

Glodowski emphasized that membership growth is critical to expanding the CFA’s impact, particularly as franchisees face ongoing challenges related to operational control, vendor relationships and regulatory uncertainty. Strengthening participation across local franchisee associations, he noted, will be key to advancing the CFA’s mission of protecting and empowering franchise owners.

Industry leaders say the CFA continues to play an increasingly important role in shaping dialogue within franchising, particularly as franchisee associations work collectively to address shared concerns and promote transparency and fairness within franchise systems.

The Coalition of Franchisee Associations plans to build on this momentum by enhancing member value, expanding advocacy efforts and fostering stronger collaboration between franchisee groups across the country.

To read the full article click here

Washington, D.C. — The Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA) proudly formalized its support of California Assembly Bill 2632 (AB-2632), with Chairman Bill Mathis signing a letter of endorsement on behalf of more than 46,000 franchisees representing over 122,000 businesses nationwide.

AB-2632 focuses on strengthening transparency, accountability, and fairness within the franchise model. When franchisees contribute to marketing and technology funds, they deserve confidence that those dollars are being used exactly as intended. This legislation enhances reporting and audit standards, reinforcing trust across franchise systems while protecting the local business owners who invest in and serve their communities every day.

“As franchisees, we are deeply committed to the brands we represent and the communities we serve,” said Chairman Mathis. “AB-2632 promotes responsible stewardship of franchisee contributions and ensures greater transparency within franchise systems. It’s about fairness and maintaining the integrity of the business model that so many entrepreneurs rely on.”

As the largest franchisee-only trade association in the country, the Coalition of Franchisee Associations represents 16 independent franchisee associations across major brands including Subway, Burger King, 7-Eleven, Planet Fitness, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Supercuts, McDonald’s, Kumon North America, Inc., and Domino’s, among others. Through unified advocacy, CFA leverages the collective strength of franchisees to promote a fair and sustainable franchise model.

The Coalition looks forward to working alongside policymakers to advance AB-2632 and safeguard the integrity of franchising for generations to come.

To read the full press release, click here.

Dear CFA Members,

As previously reported, last year the U.S. Court of Appeals approved the biggest antitrust class-action settlement in history and set aside about $6 billion for U.S. merchants who paid artificially inflated Visa and Mastercard interchange fees. As a result, Coalition of Franchisee Associations members who accepted Visa and/or Mastercard at any time between Jan. 1, 2004, to Jan. 25, 2019, may be entitled to a share of the settlement.

As an update, the court granted an extension of the claims filing deadline from May 31, 2024, to Aug. 30, 2024.

Click here to learn more and to submit a claim before the updated deadline, Aug. 30, 2024.

Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA), known as “the voice of franchisees™,” has announced Greg Fry as the organization’s new association manager.

Fry, who joined CFA’s professional management company, Elevanta, in July 2023, plans to focus on leveraging the collective strengths of independent franchisee associations for the benefit of member franchisees. Fry has spent the last 20 years in different facets of association management. Prior to Elevanta, he spent nine years as the executive director of an equine sports association, where he grew their membership to over 20,000 members. Fry plans to leverage his extensive association management experience in growing CFA. CFA brings together some of the largest associations in the U.S. to provide a forum for members to share best practices, knowledge and resources for improvement, planning and development. Its efforts are focused on government affairs at the state and federal levels, franchisee education and training, executive leadership development and collective buying opportunities.

“Given the significant challenges facing CFA members from legislative and regulatory authorities, CFA’s importance cannot be overstated. Its leadership, from the board to management, is well-positioned to represent CFA during these pivotal times,” said CFA Chairman John Motta. “As a respected industry organization, CFA plays a vital role in advocating for the industry’s interests and ensuring its members’ continued success. With its extensive network of experienced professionals and commitment to its members, CFA will continue to be an essential voice in the industry’s ongoing evolution.”

Elevanta will work alongside Fry to provide executive leadership, meeting planning, accounting and finance, communications and other management services to CFA and eleven additional franchisee association clients. CFA and Fry are fully supported by Elevanta’s extensive experience and expertise in association management.

From its founding in 2007, CFA has grown to include 19 different associations in industries including restaurants and hospitality, car care, beauty and personal care services, convenience stores and fitness representing franchisees of well-known brands as Dunkin Donuts, BURGER KING, Subway, Meineke Car Care Centers, Buffalo Wild Wings and Supercuts, among many others.

About Coalition of Franchisee Associations

Coalition of Franchisee Associations, representing more than 46,000 franchisees who own over 121,000 businesses, which employ over 2.6 million individuals, is the largest franchisee-only association in the country. Its members make up the largest and most reputable independent franchisee associations with a mission “to leverage the collective strengths of franchisee associations for the benefit of the franchisee community.” CFA — with headquarters in Washington, D.C. — is committed to providing vital support and assistance to the franchisee community at large. To learn more about the organization, please visit http://www.thecfainc.com.

About Elevanta LLC 

Elevanta is an association management and professional services firm offering a robust suite of services to franchisees and business owners across a range of industries. Specializing in association management, event and meeting planning, communications and insurance solutions, Elevanta is a proven industry leader, guiding business owners in brands that include BURGER KING, Buffalo Wild Wings, Meineke Car Care Centers, Supercuts and QDOBA. The robust suite of services and programs provided through Elevanta is designed to meet the needs of your business and elevate your success. 

Contact: Greg Fry
CFA Association Manager
gregf@elevanta.com
678-797-5160

After much anticipation and apparently justified trepidation, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), released its 2023 final rule regarding a new standard for determining joint-employer liability for alleged violations of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). While the Coalition of Franchise Associations (CFA) agrees that a franchisor can legitimately be determined to be a joint employer of its franchisees’ employees in certain egregious cases, we believe that this new rule wrongly and needlessly goes far beyond such rare and identifiable situations.

The new standard set forth by the NLRB is far more encompassing, intrusive and unnecessary if its goal truly is to protect employees and allow small businesses to exist in their local communities independent of their franchisor. If the rule is implemented as stated, it will have unintended, and perhaps intended, consequences that will severely damage the franchisor/franchisee relationship. By requiring unprecedented franchisor oversight, in order to avoid joint employer liability, this rule could potentially reduce the number of opportunities for Americans to create small businesses, the jobs that come with them, and act to further suppress the wages of employees nationwide. Financial resources, that would otherwise be dedicated to training and wages, will instead be siphoned off to trial lawyers and litigation. Moreover, the new rule will negatively impact currently healthy franchise and employment relationships and exacerbate those that are already strained and/or dysfunctional affiliations.

The CFA has many concerns regarding this new rule and seeks immediate clarification from the NLRB that definitively states what does, and does not, constitute joint-employer liability within the inherently unique franchisor/franchisee relationship. Without such clarity, a case-by-case determination can ONLY lead to expensive, extortive and business-destroying litigation. Specifically, CFA requests clarification on acceptable methods regarding development, maintaining and enforcement of brand standards that will not trigger joint-employment liability. In addition, policies involving equipment, fixtures, training, uniforms and store hour requirements as set forth by a franchisor in any franchise agreement, operating manual and/or Franchisor Disclosure Document must be addressed with specificity so as to alleviate threats of joint liability for both franchisors and franchisee. It is simply irresponsible to leave parties with their life savings fully invested to a “I’ll know it when I see it litigated” mandate.

The CFA thanks the NLRB for its attention to the franchise industry, but we believe that it has unnecessarily created more confusion and angst in the franchise community through the muddied language of this final rule. Ironically, the rule makes it much more likely that franchisees’ workers will eventually become the direct employees of its franchisor – a separate conglomerate that has no knowledge of an employee’s identity or individual concerns – rendering them faceless minions in an out of state profit center with no flexibility or desire to address the employees’ needs. They will become faceless and replaceable numbers, not people known to a local franchise owner. The additional costs associated with compliance and implementation of this rule will, undoubtedly, harm the well-being, financial prospects and legal standing of all parties involved. The CFA firmly believes that implementation of the new rule as it presently exists will work to eliminate the local businesses that drive our industry and, instead, transfer that economic potential into large, publicly traded conglomerates that have little stake in the day-to-day operations and no vested interest in local community involvement that is the cornerstone of the franchise model.

It is no secret that the Washington establishment, both Republicans and Democrats, are increasingly frustrating to those of us who live and work outside of their DC bubble. As Chairman of the Coalition of Franchisee Associations, I have been travelling to Washington for years now, on my own dime, to talk and plead with our lawmakers regarding the critical labor shortage we have in this country. Yet after this last week of meetings, my level of frustration reached an all-time high as I believe our leaders have reached an all-time low.

In my lifetime, if anyone said that “jobs” was a major issue, it was because there was a lack of them available to people. Today, “jobs” is a major issue because we do not have enough people who work – and this problem is just as serious as any sky-high unemployment number we have faced in our country’s history. Much of today’s economic issues and problems, from supply chain, to inflation, to productivity and global competition, are a result of the lack of individuals who are willing and able to join the workforce. In fact, right now, there are more people leaving the workforce than entering it.

The Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA) is proud to announce its membership in the Critical Labor Coalition (CLC). A non-profit organization based in the D.C. metropolitan area, CLC was formed as a result of CFA Chairman, John Motta’s vision and leadership of the CFA to find solutions to address the critical labor shortage that is impacting many franchisees and their businesses across the U.S. CFA recognized this issue and identified potential solutions that were presented to industry organizations. The result of this effort was the development of the CLC, of with CFA is now pleased to continue to support. “We are excited to have CFA onboard and are looking forward to getting franchisees across the country engaged and informed on this issue,” states CFA Association General Manager, Amy Mancuso.  

Comprised of trade associations, nonprofit organizations, corporate and individual business owners, CLC advocates with one voice for policies that incentivize individuals to return to work. With targeted legislative and education efforts, CLC’s mission is to reinvigorate the workforce, stimulate the economy and put money in the pockets of America’s workers. 

Members of CLC include the National Restaurant Association, American Hotel and Lodging Association, Inspire Brands, the National Association of Convenience Stores and many others. To learn more about the Critical Labor Coalition, go to www.criticallaborcoalition.org.  

About the Coalition of Franchisee Associations 

The Coalition of Franchisee Associations, representing more than 46,000 franchisees who own over 121,000 businesses, which employ over 2.7 million individuals, is the largest franchisee-only association in the country. Its members make up the largest and most reputable independent franchisee associations with a mission “to leverage the collective strengths of franchisee associations for the benefit of the franchisee community.” The CFA — with headquarters in Washington, D.C. — is committed to providing vital support and assistance to the franchisee community at large. To learn more about the organization, please visit http://www.thecfainc.com.