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Lending Summit highlights progress in small business lending, though gaps remain

An expanded coalition of trade groups representing the financial services and small business communities today announced an expanded private-sector partnership to strengthen small business lending and spur job creation at IFA's 2nd annual Small Business Lending Summit.

The groups, including the Consumer Bankers Association, Financial Services Roundtable and the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, cited regulations as a key factor impacting their ability to make loans and access capital.

The groups called on policymakers to hear about the challenges small businesses and lenders are facing in the current economic and regulatory environment. Speaking at the summit, SBA Administrator Karen Mills praised the IFA for its support of SBA lending programs, reporting the SBA has guaranteed $5.3 billion in loans to 5,200 franchisees during her tenure. House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy said the rulemaking from the Dodd-Frank financial reform law needed to be slowed down in order to free up capital for small business loans.

Some of the media coverage of the Small Business Lending Summit is below:

FOX Business: What’s Driving the Franchise Lending Shortfall

CNBC Squawk Box: Lending Shortfall Could Cost Thousands of Jobs

The Wall Street Journal: Small Business Owners, Banks, Blame Washington for Credit Woes

CNBC: Once Seen as Risky, Banks Rethink Franchise Loans

Entrepreneur: SBA Chief Karen Mills on the Small Business Lending Comeback

Entrepreneur: Small Business Lending: Getting Better, Still not Great

QSRWeb: Franchise Lending on a Steady Upswing

The Washington Post: Franchise lending shortfall robbing the economy of jobs, economic output

The Street: 3 Things You Should Know About Small Business: April 17

At the Summit, IFA released a new report that shows a bank lending shortfall could cost the franchise industry 94,000 jobs. Jon Luther, IFA Chairman and Chairman of the Board for Dunkin' Brands and Arby's International, joined CNBC's Squawk Box and Fox Business to discuss how the IFA is helping the small business community recover from the lending crisis. "Franchises have a very high success rate and everyone coming together at the summit aides the world of franchising," Luther says. There is a high demand for franchising because the formula for franchising is a workable formula that has been proven and tested and there is a high success rate when opening a franchise store Read more.

IFA also announced two new strategic partnerships at the Summit. An IFA/BoeFly monthly Franchise Lending Matrix was released, showing franchise lending improving steadily for the last 12 months. Through its alliance with Guidant Financial, IFA and Guidant will jointly develop and conduct educational programs focused on credit access for franchise businesses.

Posted by Matt Haller, IFA Sr. Director of Communications

IFA Chairman Jon Luther discusses how lending shortfalls impede franchise business growth on Fox Business and CNBC

A new report from the IFA shows a bank lending shortfall that could cost the franchise industry 94,000 jobs. Jon Luther, IFA Chairman and Chairman of the Board for Dunkin’ Brands and Arby’s International, joined CNBC’s Squawk Box and Fox Business to discuss how the IFA is helping the small business community recover from the lending crisis. Bringing together bankers and franchisors at IFA’s Annual Small Business Lending Summit today and tomorrow will educate how successful franchising can be in this difficult market, explains Luther. “Franchises have a very high success rate and everyone coming together at the summit aides the world of franchising,” Luther says. There is a high demand for franchising because the formula for franchising is a workable formula that has been proven and tested and there is a high success rate when opening a franchise store.

Key policymakers and financial regulators, including Karen Mills, Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will join IFA at its summit. It is important to bring bankers together to communicate how the demand has built for lending. Through IFA’s summit the franchise industry, lending and policy leaders will assess progress, challenges and steps needed to expand credit access and capital to create small-business jobs. “Education is now working and lending is freeing up giving franchising the ability to continue to spur job creation,” says Luther. For more information on IFA’s Small Business Lending Summit click here.

Posted by Jenna Weisbord, IFA Manager of Communications & Marketing

Updated: Judge strikes down NLRB poster ruling

In an important ruling for the franchise industry, today, the U.S. District Court of Appeals issued an emergency injunction to delay the effective date, originally set as April 30, for the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) “Notice Posting Rule,” which would have required businesses to post a biased notice explaining an employee’s right to organize as a union.

“This is a critical win for franchise business owners as we continue our aggressive efforts to battle against unfair and unnecessary regulations that impede the industry’s ability to grow and create jobs,” said IFA President & CEO Steve Caldeira. “The injunction in this case is the right ruling as we continue to make the case that this rule is unfair to business owners. We will work with other business groups to appeal the original ruling so that franchise businesses can operate on a level playing field.”

IFA and other members of the Coalition for a Democratic Workforce said that the poster failed to explain an employee’s right to decertify an unwanted union, right to refuse to pay dues used for political purposes, or explain employees’ rights in “right to work” states such as South Carolina, Indiana and North Carolina. Today’s ruling delays the implementation date until the court has a chance to hear arguments and issue a ruling.

The injunction comes at the request of employers after a decision by a federal district court in South Carolina that struck down the NRLB rule. On Friday, April 13, the U.S. District Court of South Carolina agreed with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who filed the suit against the NLRB. The court stated that the National Labor Relations Act does not “even mention the issue of notice posting.” The decision means businesses will likely no longer have to post the notice by April 30, 2012.

The April 13 ruling was an important step towards limiting the NLRB’s recent excesses. The poster is a small part of a larger battle IFA continues to fight against organized labor’s desire to tilt the playing field in its favor. IFA continues to wait a court decision on the CDW lawsuit challenging the NLRB’s “Ambush Election Rule,” which is likely to come this month. Also, the DC Circuit court has to decide on CDW’s suit determining whether the NLRB even has the authority to conduct business given the nature of the recent “recess” appointments by the Administration. As a Management Committee leader in CDW, the IFA plays a critical role in holding the NLRB accountable for the many unlawful decisions it has made or proposed in the last year.

First Lady Praises Businesses’ Contributions to Joining Forces Campaign

Veterans’ employment campaign reaches goal early.

First Lady Michelle Obama congratulated Americans and U.S. businesses for enabling Joining Forces, the campaign to help hire veterans and their spouses, to surpass its goal to hire 50,000 and instead announced its 60,000th hire on April 12.

The First Lady made the announcement in Shreveport, La.

“Whenever we have asked Americans to step up, no matter who we were talking to, they have gone above and beyond our expectations—just above and beyond,” said the First Lady in prepared comments. “And I want these veterans to understand that. America is stepping up in big ways.”

Mrs. Obama pointed to U.S. businesses as leading the charge to hire veterans and their spouses. “America’s businesses have overwhelmed us with their response,” said Obama. The First Lady specifically noted the International Franchise Association with its pledge of 80,000 hires, which is part of VetFran’s Operation Enduring Opportunity initiative. Companies such as Sears, and Snap-on Tools, along with others, have committed to hire at least 160,000 veterans and military spouses in the coming years. “And that’s above and beyond the 60,000 that we’re talking about here today. That’s on top of it,” said Obama.

On April 11, First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed Snap-on Tools Military Program Manager Jon Rucker to the White House as part of the Joining Forces celebration.

“We were honored to be a part of the Joining Forces celebration,” said Rucker. “The collaboration of country, community, and selfless individuals to accomplish a common good for our military families, service members and veterans was amazing.”

“The Joining Forces program parallels the VetFran Operation Enduring Opportunity initiative; both resonate the value of being a part of something ‘bigger than oneself,’” said Rucker. “Giving back to our military community makes perfect sense and is something we are proud to support.”

“I know my words echo those of many: I was truly humbled by the scope and grace of this event,” Rucker added.

Visit Vetfran.com for more on the franchise industry’s activities to help veterans access careers and employment in franchising.

Posted by Laura Fenwick, IFA Publishing Manager

Chris Hurn, IFA Member and CEO/Cofounder of Mercantile Capital Corporation, was invited to testify before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship on Thursday, March 29 2012. As a small business lender specializing in the SBA 504 loan program, he was asked by the Senate Committee to comment on the SBA FY 2013 budget request. Specifically, Hurn proposed a road map for how to get the SBA 504 loan program back to its historical zero-subsidy status.

Through most of its history, the 504 program has been supported by user fees rather than government appropriations. This hasn’t been the case in recent years, due in large part to the “Great Recession” and ensuing credit crisis. Hurn proposed three things to reestablish the 504 as a zero-subsidy program: 1) empowering CDCs to make recoveries in the 504 loan program and incentivizing them to do so; 2) extending the 504 Refi and FMLP programs by at least one year, through September 2013; and 3) implementing extra measures that may include lowering the 504 program authority and/or increasing borrower fees above their statutory minimum. A combination of these things, Hurn says, will help clean up the SBA budget by getting the 504 back to zero-subsidy status.

To read Hurn’s full testimony that was submitted to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, go here.

Hiring Our Heroes Proves Intrepid

IFA joined a live broadcast from the USS Intrepid on NBC's Today Show in New York Wednesday to show support for Hiring Our Heroes, an industry campaign led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to employ returning veterans, as it marked the anniversary of its start in 2011.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Dr. Jill Biden of the White House Joining Forces effort, and Medal of Honor recipient and Marine veteran Dakota Meyer were among the celebrities featured live on the Today show anchored by Ann Curry, who spoke emphatically about the need to help U.S. veterans transition from the military to civilian employment. "This is the best-trained, most qualified force in American history," Curry said. "We need to step up to make sure they are hired when they come home." Curry's father was a U.S. Navy veteran who met Curry's mother in Guam.

Hiring Our Heroes Executive Director Kevin Schmiegel applauded the business community for hiring 9,000 veterans so far, but said an expanded effort is needed. Small business, said the Marine veteran who served 20 years, is central to the next phase of the campaign.

"I would like to see veterans employed by small businesses, where they can eventually become owners," said Bloomberg, speaking to IFA representatives. He noted that IFA's International Franchise Expo will for the first time take place in New York City June 15-17 at the Javits Center. Veterans will be invited to attend without charge. "That's great," Bloomberg said. Over 15,000 attendees are expected, including veterans for whom specific programming -- and new discounts offered by brands such as Choice Hotels, Jiffy Lube and Cici's Pizza -- are in the plans.

Hiring Our Heroes announced a new commitment to hire and offer career opportunities to 500,000 veterans by 2014, including the 80,000 opportunities offered by franchising in IFA's VetFran and Operation Enduring Opportunity campaigns. The commitment is now backed by Capital One, the McLean-based bank, which pledged $4.5 million to bolster Hiring Our Heroes.

Medal of Honor recipient Meyer thanked business representatives including the IFA for what they are doing. "I am grateful," he said simply. Meyer is the third living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War, and the first living United States Marine in 38 years to be so honored.

Posted by Beth Solomon, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Industry Relations

What is this Pinterest you speak of...and would you like an invite?

So, if you've been paying any attention to the social web lately, you've probably heard about this "new thing" called "Pinterest." The buzz around the site has been growing at a frenzy the past couple months. In January, Pinterest hit 11.7 million unique monthly visitors in the U.S., up from 7.5 million in December, and 418,000 nine months ago. Mashable made the claim that "Pinterest has become the fastest growing website ever, now with nearly 12 million monthly users."

If that's not impressive enough for you, in February, Pinterest drove more traffic to sites than Twitter. Pinterest had already passed Google+, YouTube and LinkedIn combined in referral traffic, but Twitter is one of the big boys on driving traffic.

Fortune just asked if "Pinterest is the next Facebook?" and not just because they recently hired Tim Kendall, former Facebook director of monetization, to build out that aspect of the business. Forbes just put out an article examining "Why Brand Managers Need To Take An Interest In Pinterest" including, the trust being built with women/mom's who "account for 85% of all consumer purchases including everything from autos to health care."

I mean, even President Obama is jumping on the Pinterest train.

Now that you're caught up on all the buzz, lets start with...

"What is Pinterest?"

Pinterest is a “virtual pinboard” that allows users to share ideas, images and tastes they find interesting or inspiring. Users post “pins,” usually images or graphics, onto their own categorized pinboards. The U.S. Army does a great job of breaking it down into easy to understand terms in the slideshow embedded below.

Social Media Roundup - Introduction to Pinterest

View more presentations from U.S. Army

NBC and MSNBC joined forces in a new mission focused on veteran unemployment and how companies are stepping up to “Hire our Heroes.” The event culminated in a jobs fair aboard the USS Intrepid in New York City, where 1500 veterans and military families attended to voice their concerns and learn about the career opportunities out there for veterans. Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.) spoke with MSNBC to discuss how Congress has taken notice of the high unemployment rate among veterans, and how his bill would make it easier for veterans to start their own small business and create jobs.

Rep. Griffin, who served in Iraq with the 101st airborne, explains that “not everyone gets a traditional education, and a lot of veterans that come back want to start their own franchise.” There are many resources and schooling that are associated with those programs, but not having the ability to use the GI bill to fund the franchise educations programs is preventing many from taking the next steps once returning home. The Franchise Education for Veterans Act (H.R. 3351), introduced by Rep. Tim Griffin, would allow veterans interested in purchasing a franchise business to use up to $15,000 in GI Bill funds to pay for franchise education and training programs.

“We need to be more expansive in terms of understanding what education for a veteran is, and allow for more vet-owned franchises,” says Rep. Griffin.

IFA, in partnership with the White House Joining Forces Initiative, have joined together in Operation Enduring Opportunity, a campaign to hire and recruit 75,000 veterans and 5,000 wounded warriors by 2014. With veterans having a proven track record of success in franchising, and with more than 66,000 veteran-owned franchise establishments in the United States, providing jobs directly for 815,000 Americans, IFA encourages Congress to pass legislation to help our veterans invest in their future.

To view Rep. Griffin interview with MSNBC click here and for more information on Operation Enduring Opportunity visit www.vetfran.com

Posted by Jenna Weisbord, IFA Manager of Communications & Marketing

Corner Bakery, which began in 1992 as a small store in Chicago, now reports 130 locations across 15 states, brought in an estimated $240 million in revenue in 2011 and is stepping up hiring and expansion plans for 2012. Corner Bakery CEO Mike Hislop spoke with FOX Business last week to describe how Corner Bakery is leveraging the franchise model to become “the neighborhood café.”

Hislop knows that Corner Bakery is “the right brand, with the right economic model, in the right segment.” Corner Baker is on track to double their system over the next 3-4 years, with half their locations becoming franchises. Hislop credits their catering business to helping grow their economic model. Twenty percent of Corner Bakery’s business comes from catering and that makes them very different from other brands, Hislop says.

Roark Capital who has been in franchising for the past 15 years, bought Corner Bakery last year. Hislop believes Roark will help Corner Bakery with the knowledge they bring in the franchise space. “They’ve helped already in franchise finance, bringing in more lenders to help our franchisees grow and expand.” Corner Bakery has currently signed up 17 franchisees that will build 250 locations across the US.

With the interest growing in franchise opportunities, Corner Bakery is in that perfect space or “sweet spot” and with bakery cafes being the fastest growing segment in the restaurant industry, Hislop reports the brand will continue to expand this year.

Posted by Jenna Weisbord, IFA Manager of Communications & Marketing

Travel industry to lead economic recovery

U.S. Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue and U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow testified before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security on the importance of bringing more international travelers to the United States. Dow and Donohue urged lawmakers to better promote the United States and “put a welcome mat back out for visitors,” in order to create jobs.

Donohue highlighted, “the importance of efficient travel policies to conducting international business” and that certain barriers have prevented additional travelers to the US. “With more than 20 million Americans unemployed, the Chamber’s top priority is helping the private sector grow the economy and create jobs,” stated Donohue in his testimony.

Dow knows that the travel industry is ready “to lead our economic recovery” but improving the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and our visa processing system is essential. Dow and Donohue also highlighted the Jobs Originated through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act, which makes a number of reforms to streamline and expedite the inbound travel process and grow international travel.

Increasing international travel and making it easier for foreign visitors to travel the United States will help the franchise industry continue its proven track record of creating jobs and help franchisees still struggling in a challenging economic environment. Nearly two-thirds of America’s 825,000 franchised businesses support the travel and tourism industry including hotels, restaurants, retail and personal services.

“With more foreign visitors visiting franchised restaurants, staying in franchised hotels and spending money in franchised retail establishments, franchisees will be more likely to hire more workers,” said IFA President & CEO Steve Caldeira, who serves as a board members of the U.S. Travel Association. The IFA joined the U.S. Travel Association’s Discover America partnership in 2011 to take more aggressive steps to boost the US’s share of the international tourism market.

Posted by Jenna Weisbord, IFA Manager of Communications & Marketing

Franchise restaurants make a comeback

According to a recent article in the The Wall Street Journal, franchise restaurants are beginning to make a comeback and lenders are returning to business once again. But many of the iconic brands that we are used to are freshening up their image, menus, and expanding into new territories.

Fast-casual dining is becoming more popular and restaurant chains “are now less likely to resemble their brand’s current image,” according to Wally Butkus, partner in Restaurant Research LLC. McDonald’s in the Oakbrook Ill. area has transformed their stores from the red and white playgrounds into more adult-friendly seating, FOCUS Brands hired an architect to design new buildings with a smaller footprint and while Papa John’s was reluctant to spend the money necessary for a remodel, Don Graham vice president of development says, “once we heard feedback from their customers, they all came on board.”

During the recession, franchisors were less likely to spend the money to conduct remodels, but tired looking restaurants generate lower sales and companies now are getting more sophisticated. Major brands like Dunkin’ and Wendy’s have since launched major remodeling programs. EVP for Techtnomic Darren Tristano knows, “fast-casual concepts are incredibly appealing because they generate high sales compared to investment.”

As customers continue to become more value-conscious, companies across the board are making adjustments to a fast causal concept and increasing their emphasis on franchise growth.

Read full article text here.

Bloomberg’s Small Business Report with John Tucker reports that a rise in small business confidence and improved consumer demand is helping propel a gauge of franchise businesses higher. The franchise business index, developed by IHS insight on behalf of IFA, increased by 0.3 percent in February which is the sixth consecutively monthly gain, reported Tucker. The measure shows the economic environment for franchise businesses by examining employment indicators, personal consumption, small business optimism and credit availability of the industry.

John Tucker reports that in an industry with more than 735,000 franchise businesses last year, employing more than 7.9 million workers and bringing in $745 billion in sales, around 80% still say limited access to credit is holding them back.

Click here to listen to John Tucker’s Small Business Report on IFA’s Franchise Business Index.

Here are some other news clips covering the release of the FBI, which will be released each month going forward:

IFA Seeks to Use New Business Index in Advocacy Efforts (National Journal)

New economic indicator shows franchise industry growing stronger (The Washington Post)

Economic Health Of The Franchise Industry Is Stronger Compared To A Year Ago (The Washington Times)

Franchise index shows improvement in February (New Orleans Business News)

Posted by Jenna Weisbord, IFA Manager of Communications & Marketing

IFA urges lenders conference to bank on franchising

IFA Board Members and President & CEO Steve Caldeira headlined an unprecedented franchise lending panel at CBA LIVE, the annual conference of the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA), a meeting that drew over 1,000 of the nation’s retail banking leaders to Austin, Texas Monday in a sign of the improving outlook in the economy and the financial services sector.

The panel, titled “Engaging in Franchise Lending: Growing Bank Loans in 2012 Using a Proven Concept,” featured IFA Board Members Shelly Sun, CEO and Co-Founder of BrightStar Care, and Darrell Johnson, President & CEO of FRANdata, along with Lynetta Tipton Steed, Division Head of Business & Community Banking at Regions Financial Corporation, and Bank of America Line of Business Executive Joe DiNicola.

Caldeira discussed the IFA’s Credit Access Campaign, launched last April, which has now attracted the involvement of a diverse range of organizations from the Financial Services Roundtable and the Independent Community Bankers of America, to the Hispanic Alliance for Prosperity Institute and the National Association of Women Business Owners.

“While the credit crunch has eased somewhat, franchising needs significantly more capital to return to strong growth and job creation,” Caldeira said. “We’re here to raise awareness about the advantages of franchising as a proven, scalable, lower-risk small business model, and the unique tools and turn-key solutions available to increase franchising lending and a healthy return on investment. Now is the time.”

Johnson described FRANdata’s Bank Credit Report, an in-depth financial analysis available to franchisors that translates complex data from the FTC-required Financial Disclosure Document (FDD) into a language lenders can readily understand, thereby facilitating the loan process.

DiNicola described a new tool developed by the IFA, CBA and FRANdata called a “Franchise Lending Template” – a result of the IFA’s 2011 Small Business Lending Summit, that he said will help lenders understand franchise lending, spurring more investment. “We’re committed to it. We are here to help our colleagues understand the benefits of this particular business model and all the opportunity there,” DiNicola said. Lending executives attending the session included Greg Jaeger, SVP and Chief Credit Officer of U.S. Bank, along with executives from Union Bank, HSBC, PNC and others.

DiNicola, Steed, CBA Small Business Committee chairman and HSBC business banking chief Mark Luppi and others will attend IFA’s upcoming 2nd Small Business Lending Summit in Washington April 17, where franchise and finance leaders will gather to seek ways to expand access to credit. Acting chief of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) John Walsh, Acting FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg, SBA Administrator Karen Mills, and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) are scheduled to address the Summit.

For more information about the invitation-only event, please contact Beth Solomon at [email protected].

CICI’s Pizza CEO on Managing Food Costs

Consumers are feeling the rise of fuel, food and travel and as commodity prices are generally on the rise, CiCi's Pizza has been able to absorb many of those costs. CEO Mike Shumsky talks with Neil Cavuto on Fox Business on how his company has been able to manage food costs.

According to CEO Mike Shumsky, “the CiCi business model is a unique model where we value the consumer mind set.” Being able to absorb costs, like owning their own store delivery system, creating an in house purchasing function and doing advanced buying, allows CiCi’s Pizza to continue to keep their prices low and benefit their loyal customers.

The equation for CiCi’s restaurants requires them to be efficient in managing commodity costs, and when you’re “in the business of feeding million” as Shumsky says, “the most important part is to a run a restaurant that provides value to customers.”

According to IFA’s December Franchise Business Economic Outlook Report, plans for new business are restrained by the tax and regulatory uncertainties, yet CiCi’s Pizza has been able to continue to show signs of growth and Shumsky claims that CiCi’s, like many restaurant chains, will only raise costs as “a last resort.”

“One thing to remember is that systems within the restaurant are pretty sophisticated and help us absorb those commodity costs as they come along,” according to Shumsky.

To view the entire video clip click here.

Franchise moguls hit the slopes at UnConference

Franchise moguls hit Park City, Utah to meet the snowy kind and gather for the 4th-annual UnConference hosted by Fishman Public Relations, Fisher Zucker and Hot Dish Media to network and discuss issues facing franchising today. As the sun blazed down on the slopes, the franchise skiers were also reflecting a bright outlook: every franchise president, CEO, founder and chairman predicted growth for their companies in 2012.

Choice Hotels President & CEO Steve Joyce – and IFA 2nd Vice Chairman – said “12” will be a positive year. He said pressure on the construction industry has led to a lack of hotel supply – adding up to a promising outlook for hoteliers for the next four to five years. FOCUS Brands CEO, Roark Capital Managing Director and IFA 1st Vice Chairman Steve Romaniello echoed the optimism, saying that while commodity prices could mean hidden perils for the foodservice industry, financing is easier and customers are coming back. Maybe that’s why Roark’s Geoff Hill charged up the mountains to face the double-diamond slopes – the most difficult at Park City’s Canyons resort – leading a pack that included John Francis of PostNet, Brian Wheelis of Facebook (a first-time UnConferencer) and others. Bonzai!

IFA President & CEO Steve Caldeira said the IFA remains on high alert, given Washington, D.C.’s hostile legislative and regulatory environment. With health care mandates, aggressive union-backed labor regulations, and potential tax reform on the horizon, Caldeira said IFA’s renewed Government Relations & Public Policy team will be backed by a potent Political Action Committee. “We will have a $1 million PAC” for the 2012 election cycle, said Caldeira. It’s the first time in history IFA will hit this high mark, helped by the $10,000 raised in an UnAuction at the event hosted by IFA’s Director of Political Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy Erica Fitzsimmons.

In between slalom runs and snowboarding, “Undercover Boss” stars Joyce, FASTSIGNS CEO Catherine Monson (airing May 4), Budget Blinds CEO and Co-Founder Chad Hallock (airing April 13), Philly Pretzel Factory CEO and Co-Founder Dan Dizio (airing April 27) as well as BrightStar Care CEO and Co-Founder Shelly Sun joined show producer Tom Ham to discuss the rollercoaster ride of being featured on the CBS series in another UnConference UnPanel.

UnConference hosts Lane Fisher of Fisher Zucker, the franchise law firm, Brad Fishman of Fishman Public Relations, and Dawn Kane of Hot Dish Advertising founded the popular event four years ago to bring together industry leaders in a relaxed environment. This year, the 175 attendees included over 70 franchise executives, 50 CEOs, 16 current or former IFA board members, four past IFA Chairs, two incoming Chairs, a juggler, a moonwalker and a pianist.

“Now, it’s your job to find them,” said Fisher, swishing off each day to face the snowy moguls with his wife Melissa and a wide range of franchise leaders. “And ski hard.”

“I’m excited,” said co-founder Fishman, a gold medal-level skier, even while leading the event’s late-night socializing. “This started out as an opportunity for us to have fun together and it slowly turned into something that a lot of people can enjoy and also get a lot of knowledge. They can spend time together and connect in a relaxed way. That’s why a lot of people like it.”

Posted by Beth Solomon, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Industry Relations

Snap-on CEO Talks Hiring on CNBC

According to ADP, the private sector employment increased by 216,000 last month which was not only the 25th consecutive monthly gain but also was a gain of about 1,000 above estimates. To get jobs going companies need to continue to hire. Snap-On Tools CEO Nicholas Pinchuk appeared on CBNC’s On the Street to talk about how his company and his franchisees are creating jobs, and how across the board sales are up.

“Last year we saw a 5-6% increase in the workforce, so I think you can clearly say we are hiring. We reached pre recession levels in the fourth quarter of last year, and we are hiring in reaction to that,” Pinchuk said. Pinchuk, who has been the CEO of Snap-On since 2007, manufactures 80% of what they sell in its American Plants and calls on 300,000 small businesses across the US. Snap-on which is a global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, has 10 manufacturing facilities in the around the US.

“People in these jobs are very positive, with the most positivity starting at the grass roots level,” according to Pinchuk. “There is a lot of opportunity for productivity among the owners and technicians of these small businesses.” To view the complete interview on CNBC click here.

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