1851

<div id="pastingspan1"><span style="">America, the land of opportunity, has always championed the little guy. The belief that anyone can be successful through hard work and determination has been a foundation for success in the U.S.&#8212;so why is the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) attacking small businesses?</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">As confusion and concern reign supreme in the wake of the NLRB&#8217;s August <a href="http://1851franchise.com/details/2884/NLRB-for-Franchising-Explained-" target="_blank">ruling</a> among business owners, some worry franchise owners will be the ones suffering most from the decision.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">From restaurants and gyms to lawn maintenance and senior care, franchise brands have positively contributed to the economic stimulation of their communities through job creation and providing valuable goods and services.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">However, all too often there&#8217;s a negative connotation associated with the franchise model concept. McDonald&#8217;s, one of the world&#8217;s most recognizable and profitable franchises, is widely considered as the preeminent fixture in franchising. But unlike the brand synonymous with the Golden Arches, the harsh reality is most franchises are in fact small businesses. The lack of financial flexibility for the majority of these companies could result in their ultimate demise.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">So how can the perception of franchising change?</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">According to <a href="http://nolimitagency.com/our-people/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-the-voice-of-franchising-must-change-2969" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sean Fitzgerald</a>, chief development strategist at <span class="brand-highlight">No Limit Agency*</span>, it begins with the International Franchise Association (IFA).</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">&#8220;The IFA is the largest voice in franchising. They need to be strong representatives for not only franchisors, but also franchisees,&#8221; he said.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">The NLRB joint employer ruling questions the relationship between a franchisor and a franchisee, and what constitutes as a joint employer. And although virtually no franchise agreement grants a franchisor the right to exercise control over the terms of a franchisee&#8217;s employees, almost every franchise agreement grants the franchisor the right to establish and modify standards of operation of franchised outlets.</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">Fitzgerald said he believes the IFA needs to put an emphasis on educating the NLRB, law makers and the general public on the differences between large corporate franchises and the small-to-mid-size brands that represent a majority of franchise concepts. He said instead of arguing with the independent agency, the franchise advocate group needs to change the way it delivers its message to teach how the ruling impacts independent owners.&nbsp;</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">"There needs to be a reeducation of how small business owners are impacted by their decisions,&#8221; he said. &#8220;The perception of franchising is McDonald&#8217;s or Wendy&#8217;s&#8212;they think of big quick-service companies. But there are a lot of small businesses negatively impacted by the ruling by being lumped in with the big boys.&#8221;</span></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><span style="">The voice of franchising needs to change, otherwise the backbone of the American economy&#8212;the little guy&#8212;is at risk of being facing a significant disadvantage in the business world.</span></div>

1851 Franchise

Small business owners have a lot to lose compared to 'the big boys'.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Why the Voice of Franchising Must Change  

why-the-voice-of-franchising-must-change

Pigtails & Crewcuts

Photo of Pigtails & Crewcuts window with Open Chair Project vouchers hanging up

ABC 8 News: Community Donates Haircuts Through Pigtails & Crewcuts During Government Shutdown

open-chair-project-virginia-shutdown

The Junkluggers

image of Lucy Mejia from Atlanta Georgia junkluggers franchisee owner mom

How This Stay-at-Home Mom Found Her Calling With The Junkluggers Franchise

lucy-mejia-junkluggers-franchise

image of the junkluggers franchise and a list of the top 5 reasons to purchase a junkluggers

Top 5 Reasons To Buy a Junkluggers Franchise in 2026

top-5-reasons-to-buy-a-junkluggers-franchise-2026

image of a junkluggers franchise owner franchisee standing in front of a company truck succesful

Junkluggers Franchisees Win the Fast-Growing, Eco-Focused Junk Removal Market With Mission, Momentum and a “Frictionless” System Built for Scale

the-junkluggers-franchise-opportunity

BIGGBY COFFEE

 BIGGBY® COFFEE Cracks Top 200 on Franchise Times Top 400, Climbing More Than 100 Spots in Four Years

biggby-coffee-cracks-top-200-on-franchise-times-top-400-climbing-more-than-100-spots-in-four-years

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with government building & "Open for Business" sign against American flag backdrop

Government Reopens After 43-Day Shutdown, Bringing Relief to Small Businesses and Franchises

government-shutdown-ends-franchise-impact

As Starbucks and Dunkin’ Navigate a Changing Market, New Coffee Players Keep Gaining Ground

starbucks-dunkin-franchise-coffee-market-trends

Paris Baguette Welcomes Zac Sulma as New Chief Operating Officer

new-coo-zac-sulma

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

Crunch Fitness Franchise - Sixth Street Minority Stake - CR Fitness - 1851 Franchise

Sixth Street Takes Minority Stake in CR Fitness, the Largest Crunch Fitness Franchisee

cr-fitness-crunch-fitness-sixth-street-investment

Scenthound Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

scenthound-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

EarthWise Pet Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

earthwise-pet-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

image of michael brown and matt kelton from children's lighthouse family owned brand private equity

Learn Why Children’s Lighthouse Is Different as a Family-Owned Brand vs. a Private Equity Brand in Upcoming Webinar

family-owned-vs-private-equity-childrens-lighthouse

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

The Top 15 Pet Supplies and Retail Franchises for 2025

the-top-15-pet-supplies-and-retail-franchises

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

Veterans In Franchising Thriving As Entrepreneurs, Three Times More Likely To Own A Franchise

veterans-entrepreneurship-franchise-owners

Photo of group of dogs standing together in day care facility

Why the Voice of Franchising Must Change

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS