AAFD | American Association of Franchisees & Dealers

How Franchisees Can Speak Up Before Problems Escalate

AAFD — Thu, 21 May 2026 17:44:53 +0000

In this episode of AAFD TV, Richard Rosen breaks down one of the most important—but often overlooked—skills for franchise owners: recognizing risk early and taking action before small issues become major problems.

With decades of experience representing franchisees and franchisee associations, Richard shares how warning signs such as declining sales, reduced profits, staff negativity, and cash flow challenges can signal deeper issues within a franchise system. He explains why ignoring these signs—or staying silent—can become one of the most costly mistakes a franchisee can make.

A major theme throughout this conversation is communication. From navigating difficult conversations with franchisors to overcoming fear and intimidation, Richard highlights how proactive, consistent dialogue is essential to maintaining a healthy and balanced franchise relationship.

The episode also explores the power of franchisee associations and collective awareness. By working together, franchisees can identify shared challenges, prioritize key concerns, and strengthen their position within the system—often preventing problems before formal disputes arise.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The early warning signs every franchisee should watch for
Why silence can hurt your business more than you think
How strong communication builds healthier franchise systems
The role of franchisee associations in creating balance
A powerful mindset shift: why everything in franchising is a negotiation

To learn more about Richard Rosen and his firm, Rosen Karol Salis PLLC, please visit his Franchisee Legaline listing here:

https://www.aafd.org/franchisee-legaline/listing/richard-rosen/

If you found this conversation valuable, please like, subscribe, and share this episode with fellow franchisees, partners, and industry peers.

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AAFD Welcomes Seven New Franchisee Chapters into Membership in 2026 / Q1

AAFD — Mon, 11 May 2026 17:55:04 +0000

ENFIELD, CT – April 2026. During the first quarter of the year, the AAFD was proud to welcome seven new franchisee chapters into our growing network—an exciting sign that more franchisees across the country are recognizing the value of independent collective representation, education, and support.

These newly formed chapters represent a diverse cross-section of franchise systems and reflect the increasing demand among franchisees for a stronger voice, meaningful peer collaboration, and access to trusted resources as they navigate the evolving challenges within franchising.

While four of these chapters have chosen to be publicly recognized at this time, three have requested to remain anonymous as they continue to organize internally and build momentum within their respective systems. Among the new chapters joining the AAFD are:

Camp Bow Wow®

Ellie Mental Health®

Mr. Handyman®

New Mom School®

The decision by these groups to align with the AAFD underscores an important trend in franchising: franchisees are increasingly seeking organized, professional advocacy and chapter support to help protect their investments, strengthen communication, and advance shared business interests. Whether publicly named or working quietly behind the scenes, each of these seven new chapters represents progress toward a stronger and more connected franchisee community.

“We look forward to supporting each chapter’s continued growth, leadership development, and long-term success,” said Richard Stroiney, Chief Executive and Trustee of the AAFD. “The commitment of these chapters helps to expand the voice of the franchisee and improve the franchising industry.”

AAFD Chief Development Officer and Trustee Amy Mancuso added: “It’s inspiring to see more and more franchise systems recognizing the value of collective action. Each new group strengthens our voice and expands our ability to advocate for meaningful change in the franchising community.”

The AAFD continues to support the formation of franchisee associations across industries and encourages franchisees who are interested in organizing to reach out and learn more. For a complete list of our current managed chapters, visit www.aafd.org/associations/.

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AAFD Applauds Passage of Pro-Franchisee Legislation in Virginia

AAFD — Wed, 06 May 2026 16:57:11 +0000

The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) is pleased to announce that on April 13, 2026, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed important pro-franchisee legislation into law. The identical measures, House Bill 69, sponsored by Dan Helmer, and Senate Bill 240, sponsored by Christopher Head, amend Virginia’s Retail Franchising Act to prohibit post termination noncompete clauses in franchise agreements and require that franchise agreements offered or entered into in Virginia be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The prohibition on post termination noncompete clauses marks a major victory for franchisees. These provisions have long been used by many franchisors as leverage during renewal negotiations, often forcing franchisees to sign materially different agreements in order to continue operating. In many cases, such noncompete clauses extend far beyond what is reasonably necessary to protect a franchisor’s legitimate intellectual property interests. Post termination noncompetition clauses restrict a franchisee from engaging in activities they have trained for at their own expense, which is contrary to the prevailing ‘right to work’ laws that already exist in many states.

Equally significant, the new law requires that franchise agreements for Virginia outlets be governed by Virginia law rather than the law of another state chosen by the franchisor. Historically, many franchisors have selected the law of their home state, often placing franchisees at a disadvantage when disputes arise. Beginning July 1, 2026, franchise agreements offered or entered into in Virginia must be subject to Virginia law.

While the law takes effect July 1, 2026, it is important to note that it is not retroactive and will not alter franchise agreements entered into, extended, or modified prior to that date.

AAFD, along with the Coalition of Franchisee Associations, actively supported passage of this legislation, including arranging for member testimony during committee hearings and advocating for stronger franchisee protections throughout the legislative process. This achievement represents an important step forward for franchisee rights in Virginia and may help pave the way for additional franchise fairness protections in the years ahead.

As with all legal matters, franchisees should consult qualified franchise counsel regarding how this new law may impact their individual agreements and renewal negotiations.

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Introducing AAFD Marketplace Advertiser

AAFD — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:00:05 +0000

The AAFD is excited to announce our new online directory, the Marketplace Advertiser, designed to help businesses like yours connect directly with our network of franchisee members, visitors, and subscribers.
https://www.aafd.org/supplier-services/marketplace/

For companies with limited resources to tackle large and costly advertising channels, the AAFD Marketplace Advertiser now offers an affordable streamlined opportunity to market your services to a highly targeted audience of franchisees, industry leaders, and key decision-makers. If you’re interested in joining our network that supports our Franchisee Members and Chapters, and would like to advertise with us on the AAFD Marketplace, please contact us or learn more.

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Welcome Spark Sponsor – Our New Marketplace Advertiser!

AAFD — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:56:20 +0000

The event-driven alternative to Google & Meta. Reach 3M+ event attendees locally with full digital attribution.

We are thrilled to announce our newest Marketplace Advertiser Member and proudly welcome Spark Sponsor to our community! Reach out to Spark Sponsor by visiting the AAFD Marketplace directory: https://www.aafd.org/supplier/spark-sponsor/

About Spark Sponsor

Spark Sponsor turns local event sponsorship into a measurable digital marketing channel. Reach families at 6,000+ community events, place offers in registration and event communications, and track every click, redemption, and conversion. Launch a pilot for $200, prove ROI, then scale across thousands of events—combining local trust with digital precision.

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Why Fragmented HR is Killing Your Franchise Growth (and How to Fix It)

AAFD — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:02:30 +0000

Managing people, payroll, compliance, and benefits can quickly become overwhelming for franchise owners—and when those systems aren’t working together, they pull focus away from growing the business. In this episode of AAFD TV, the official streaming show of the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers, host Joan Bowling sits down with Alex Scheglowski of VensureHR to break down how franchisees can simplify workforce management and reduce operational complexity. Alex shares how integrating HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance into one streamlined system helps franchise owners:

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Reduce risk and stay compliant with evolving regulations
Improve hiring, retention, and employee satisfaction
Access better benefits and 401(k) solutions through economies of scale
Eliminate distractions caused by disconnected systems and vendors

The conversation also explores VensureHR’s pooled employer 401(k) plan, showing how franchisees can access lower costs, stronger investment opportunities, and tax advantages—without the burden of managing it alone.

To learn more about VensureHR and their AAFD Branded program, HR, Payroll & 401(k) Solutions for AAFD Members visit aafd.org/partner/vensurehr/

If you found this conversation valuable, like, subscribe, and share this episode with fellow franchisees, partners, and industry peers.

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Welcome Porter Law Firm – Our New Gold Member of the AAFD Franchisee LegaLine!

AAFD — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:15:54 +0000

The AAFD is proud to welcome Shane Waddell, Partner, and Brittany Brink, Senior Attorney, of Porter Law Firm as our newest Gold Member of the AAFD Franchisee LegaLine, joining our distinguished network of law firms dedicated to supporting fair and balanced franchising.

Porter Law Firm brings extensive experience in real estate, business, and commercial transactions, representing franchisees, dealers, and independent business owners across a wide range of industries. Their commitment to excellence, collaboration, and client advocacy closely aligns with the AAFD’s mission of Total Quality Franchising® (TQF).

As a Gold Member of the AAFD Franchisee LegaLine, Porter Law Firm will serve as a trusted legal resource for our members, offering guidance on a variety of real estate matters, including commercial transactions, buying and selling, development and leasing, property owners association law, and construction defects.

AAFD members are eligible for a complimentary consultation—connect with Porter Law Firm through the AAFD Franchise Attorney Directory to learn more.

Please join us in welcoming Shane, Brittany, and their team to the AAFD community. We are excited to have their expertise and partnership in advancing the rights and success of franchisees everywhere.

Welcome aboard!

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Track, Follow, and Act on AAFD Franchisee Legislative Activity

AAFD — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:38:49 +0000

We are thrilled to introduce two new landing pages designed to keep you informed on all legislative actions supported by the AAFD. These pages provide a centralized resource to track AAFD’s ongoing advocacy efforts, accomplishments, and active legislative pursuits. They will help you stay up-to-date on important bills and initiatives directly impacting franchisees.

Your active participation is more critical than ever—legislators respond to their constituents, and many franchisee voices carry extraordinary weight. We encourage you to explore our new legislative activity tracking pages and take action. Let’s amplify our collective voice to make a lasting impact!

Legislative Activity in 2026

Much like 2025, the upcoming year is already proving to be critical for franchisee rights advocacy. With newly introduced bills and holdovers from the first Congressional session, AAFD’s momentum must not falter. Our primary focus remains empowering franchisees through targeted legislative support.

Federal Legislation

Private Right of Action for FTC Franchise Rule Violations – Franchisee Freedom Act (R.4614)
Joint Employer Legislation – American Franchise Act (R.5267 & S.3525)

State Legislation

California: A. 2632
Virginia: B. 69
Arizona: B. 2038
Vermont: B. 733

2026 Activity

Legislative Activity in 2025

The year 2025 marked a significant and highly active period for AAFD franchisee legislative initiatives. Our advocacy efforts were laser-focused on protecting franchisee rights, enhancing contract terms, and fostering a more equitable and profitable business system for all.

State Legislation

Maryland – B. 0992
New Mexico – SB 439
Oregon
- B. 2572
- B. 2584
- B. 2590
Virginia – SB 798

2025 Activity

Empowering Franchisees Through Advocacy

We invite you to stay engaged with our community by accessing our updated resources, participating in discussions, and voicing your priorities. Together, we can build a stronger, fairer franchise environment that benefits everyone.

For any inquiries related to AAFD / Franchisee Legislative advocacy efforts, please reach out to Keith Miller directly.

KEITH MILLER
Trustee and Director of Public Affairs

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Coming May 1: Member Clicks – AAFD’s New Member CRM

AAFD — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:57:27 +0000

We are pleased to announce that effective May 1, AAFD will be launching Member Clicks as our new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform. This enhanced system is designed to improve communication, streamline engagement, and provide you with easier access to the tools and information you rely on as a member.

Member Clicks will offer:

A personalized member portal
Simplified event registration and payment processing
Streamlined dues invoicing and payment tracking
Improved chapter communication and engagement features

This transition reflects our ongoing commitment to modernize our infrastructure and strengthen the overall member experience. Our goal is to make it easier for you to manage your own personal profile, including contact and billing information. 

Protecting your privacy remains a top priority. The AAFD does not share member contact information with other managed chapter members or within your own chapter without your express permission. Member Clicks includes secure data protection designed to safeguard your information, and your data will be used solely for AAFD administrative and member service purposes. In the coming weeks, you will receive additional instructions on how to log in, update your profile, and begin using the platform. We will also provide guidance and support to ensure a smooth transition.

We are excited about this next step and look forward to bringing you a more seamless and user-friendly member experience.

 Thank you for your continued support of the AAFD.

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Support of New California Bill to Protect Your Franchise Fees

AAFD — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 17:08:41 +0000

We have important news to share. California Assembly Bill 2632, introduced by Assemblymember Hoover on February 20, 2026, is a significant step forward for franchisee rights across the state.

If passed, this bill will hold franchisors legally accountable for how they collect and spend fees designated for specific purposes — including advertising funds, loyalty programs, and technology fees. Put simply: your fees must be used for what they were intended for. Nothing more, nothing less.

The AAFD enthusiastically endorses this legislation and will put its full support behind its passage. – View support letter here

Action Needed
If you are a California Franchisee we need your support.

To show your support, please email Keith R. Miller at kmiller@franchiseeadvocacy.com with the following information:

Your full name
The full address of your franchise location

On behalf of the AAFD’s Board of Trustees, thank you for being part of the AAFD community. We’re working hard to protect franchisee rights.

Robert Purvin
Richard Stroiney
Keith Miller
Amy Mancuso

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