IFA: Celebrating Pride Month

Franchising Pride Council Continues to Be the Voice of Franchise Equality

The IFA Foundation’s Diversity Institute launched the Franchising Pride Council in 2019 to offer support to franchise professionals in the LGBTQ+ community. Through mentorship, networking, and events, the Council seeks to encourage more LGBTQ+ business owners around the country. The IFA has a partnership with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce to support these and other like-minded efforts. The alliances are strong and growing stronger every day.

Franchising is an industry built by communities, relationships, people, and opportunities, and it spans more than 300 different business categories. Over the years, the franchise sector has flourished, creating jobs that offer career progression and economic stability, and it has also contributed to wealth accumulation opportunities. The proven franchise business model allows any individual – regardless of their previous experience or education – to own their own business without assuming the significant risks of starting a new brand from the ground up.

Franchising is a perfect gateway opportunity for all groups who have been historically disadvantaged economically and have faced extreme difficulties in areas including access to capital, fair and sustainable financing, property ownership, and insurance.

The International Franchise Association (IFA) is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in franchising. The IFA Foundation’s Diversity Institute provides information to assist IFA member companies in expanding their diversity recruitment at both the corporate and local levels. They create an inclusive space for minorities to explore franchise opportunities with companies leading the charge in tackling inequality in business. Many of America’s franchise brands provide prospective minority business owners with programs explicitly designed to remove and overcome the barriers that have historically locked their communities out of pathways to wealth creation, especially access to the initial capital.

Moreover, companies and businesses that are diverse build more substantial and more relevant ties to the communities they serve. Here are some quotes from the people and companies that support the IFA Pride Council’s goals and objectives:

To learn more about the IFA’s Pride Council and Diversity Institute board, visit franchise.org/committees-and-forums/diversity-institute-board.

~ Rose Mango

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