Scotty Milas' All Things Considered Franchising Podcast w/ Paul Rocchio

Just about every industry has an organization that helps to set rules, and regulations and handle publicity. For the franchise industry, that is IFA!

Today’s guest on my podcast, "All Things Considered Franchising", is Paul Rocchio, Vice President of Development and Member Services for the International Franchise Association.

Paul has been with the IFA for 24 years and noted that the most recent conference achieved record attendance with over 4,200 attendees! He noted that the IFA plays an integral part in the franchising space by setting rules, regulations, ethics, and morals, and handling any negative publicity that franchising might get. He believes that the state of the industry is stronger than ever, but there are still a few blimps on the radar. The International Franchise Association (IFA) has been protecting, enhancing, and promoting franchising since its inception in the late 1950s.

IFA has been committed to helping franchisors and franchisees. IFA lobbyist and association hack, Paul, has been involved in franchising for 24 years and has seen the organization grow and evolve. He has worked in government and on Capitol Hill and now works with entrepreneurs, franchisors, franchisees, and the supplier community. IFA has always been committed to its mission and works to ensure that the franchising industry remains on the straight and narrow. Paul and his group of franchise founders started a business association in response to the consideration of regulations on the business model of franchising by the federal government.

IFA is constantly educating the public, Capitol Hill, state and local government, media, and regulators on franchising and protecting the business model from threats. In the recent past, the speaker notes that the business model has been threatened more than ever before, with the pendulum shifting back to the state's side. California's Fast Act, joint employer, and Arkansas's all-last minute have all been mentioned as sources of threats. Paul and his colleagues are always working to protect franchising and ensure its success. Scotty and Paul discussed the pushback against franchising in the US economy. Paul identified the SEIU as a major contributor to this pushback, citing their deep pockets and the fact that most of the franchising industry is related to service, which the union focuses on. Paul also discussed the three-legged stool of franchising: the franchisor, the franchisee, and the vendor community.

Scotty Milas can be reached at scott@scottmilasfranchisecoach.com and at (860)751-9126

Paul Rocchio can be reached at procchio@franchise.org

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