Here, as always, is our BizEngine weekly franchise news roundup. From here on out, credit to FranchWire for all material.
IFA Pushes Hard For Federal Action On Jobs
The International Franchise Association is striving to squeeze more growth out of its industry in 2012.
These days, the organization resembles a heavyweight boxer, throwing punches in the general direction of Washington. President Steve Caldeira is the leading advocate for more action from Congress and President Barack Obama, which he says will ensure more franchise growth in 2012.
Chief among those actions is the lending gap, a concern of the IFA’s going back to last year. If lenders are able and willing to lend more, Caldeira argues, the 2 percent growth figures mentioned for 2012 could be significantly higher:
Recent changes in the regulatory and economic environment created a 20 percent lending shortfall ($2 billion) in the franchise industry in 2011. We can begin to close the gap in 2012 if we work together on legislative and regulatory initiatives.
I don’t need to tell you how smart this advocacy really is. Congress needs all the prodding it can get, and Caldeira’s voice is a powerful one. Support the effort.
Hotels Have A Lot Of Momentum
For inanimate objects, of course.
The hotel and hospitality industry has started to take off in 2011 and continuing into 2012, according to a report from HotelNewsNow. The total volume of business went from $5 in 2010 to $8.5 billion in 2011. That’s a lot of scratch.
It also points toward movement at the top of the industry, because there was a large number of transactions in terms of property, as well. Hotels are changing hands and new ones are being built, which signals the revival of the tourism industry that drives hotel business. That’s good news for everybody.
I would say it is a good time to get into the industry, if you can swing it.
A Franchise Webinar Not To Be Missed
As part of FranchWire’s launch celebration, they’re co-sponsoring a great webinar with Direct Capital and The Franchise King, Joel Libava. You can sign up right here.
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