When local businesses succeed, communities thrive. That is why franchises are so vital to uplifting our students, our neighbors, and our families. Franchises provide essential jobs, income, and benefits. But even more important—they foster a true sense of local community. Franchise owners are integral to that community through their philanthropic efforts — sponsoring the local little league team, raising money for student programs, and delivering hot meals for those in need. Many of these local businesses have been serving their communities for decades. Owners, employees, and customers rely on each other, building each other up and creating long-term, quality relationships that define what community really means today. Together, we are Open for Opportunity.
Amount franchises have contributed to community efforts
Hours franchise owners and employees have volunteered – and counting
65 percent of independent franchises donate to charity and industry-wide contributions total approx. $1.5 billion and 18 million hours of volunteer activity
When Jeff and Denise Garvey went looking for a second career they could go into together, they searched for a franchise that could benefit their community and be fulfilling. Denise…
Meet Denise and Jeff Garvey
Clarissa Bradstock joined Any Lab Test Now when the brand began franchising in 2007. Having been there since the beginning and taking over as CEO in 2014, Clarissa has seen…
Meet Clarissa Bradstock
Before becoming a franchise owner, Jim Ploughe was in restaurant management for 25 years, where he was first introduced to the opportunity of franchising. After realizing the opportunity that franchising…
Meet Jim Ploughe
In early March, the International Franchise Association and Restaurant Brands International hosted Open for Opportunity Miami—an incredible road show event focused on workforce development and diversity, equity, and inclusion in…
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When looking for a new opportunity and a lifestyle that would give them flexibility to spend more time with their kids, Tracy Panase and her husband John came across Just…
Meet Tracy Panase
When Arnie Seyden and his wife wanted to do something different with their careers that tied directly back to their local community, they turned to franchising. In 2019, their family…
Meet Arnie Seyden
Following a successful trip to South Florida, the Open for Opportunity roadshow headed to metro Atlanta, the franchising capital of the U.S., where more brands are headquartered than any other…
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Cheston C. Syma is a U.S. Marine veteran, a former security contractor for the U.S. State Department and the Central Intelligence Agency, a Cum Laude graduate of the University of…
Meet Cheston C. Syma
When Chris McCuiston does his job, he doesn’t only give a child the opportunity to enjoy backyard pool parties, sailboat cruises, and rope swings over the creek, but he gives…
Meet Chris McCuiston
When Damon Dunn was growing up in Texas, he didn’t know anyone that owned their own business. Growing up in a family of 10 living in a three-bedroom trailer, Damon…
Meet Damon Dunn