Franchising's Impact Runs Deep

IFA President/CEO Robert Cresanti (left) is passionate about franchising because it gives “everyone a fair chance at the American Dream,” he says.

FRANCHISING’S IMPACT RUNS DEEP

An interview with IFA President/CEO Robert Cresanti

By Jill Abrahamsen

Just like some of the most inspired entrepreneurs we’ve interviewed, Robert Cresanti is bursting with excitement for what he does. As the President and CEO of the International Franchise Association (IFA), he lives and breathes franchising. It’s not just his job, it’s his passion.

When Cresanti learned that this issue of Franchise Dictionary Magazine was dedicated to game-changing franchise brands, he was thrilled. Cresanti was quick to point out, though, that franchising, by definition, is a game changer. “It helps people. It turns lives around. It affords opportunities to those who might not have had them otherwise,” he says. “It gives everyone a fair chance at the American Dream.”

According to Cresanti, franchising is particularly beneficial for immigrants. “Through franchising, first-generation Americans can find enormous success in this country, creating better lives for themselves and their families,” he says. “Immigrants are willing to work hard and follow a system—and there’s a big payoff. There are many success stories about people who came to this country with nothing and rose to success through franchising.”

Beyond creating wealth, franchisors help communities in unique ways—another game-changing aspect. Cresanti and the IFA recognize those efforts through Franchising Gives Back’s annual awards program. “From supporting Little League baseball teams, to donating food for homeless shelters, to organizing marches for cancer research, franchise businesses give back to their communities. Big or small, the combined local contributions of franchising create a significant impact worldwide,” he adds. “Franchising Gives Back recognizes the leaders who are giving back to move communities forward and inspiring their peers to do the same.”

Cresanti is very enthusiastic for the future of franchising. “The future is very bright and as a community we can guide it. One of the great joys of my job is seeing opportunities created and lives changing for the better. It happens every day through franchising,” he says. “We want to see everyone get their piece of the American Dream.”

Celebrating 56 years, the International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 733,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 7.6 million direct jobs, $674.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 2.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). For more information, visit www.franchise.org

IFA's annual convention brings together more than 3,000 franchising professonals who join together to learn, network, and share best practices.