Just as each business is unique, so is franchising. Franchising can break down roadblocks and navigate barriers to ownership while providing equitable opportunities to uplift our families and neighbors—regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. Diversity, equity and inclusion makes our franchising community stronger by elevating owners, providing essential jobs and infusing additional support in our local community programs. A successful entrepreneur in franchising can be anyone from anywhere with the right system and support. No matter a person’s background, franchising represents what is the same in all of us— the desire to earn a stable living, provide for our families by building generational wealth, and to contribute to something bigger than ourselves. Together, we are Open for Opportunity.
Black-owned franchises earn 2.2 times more than Black-owned independent businesses on average
Companies with stronger ethnic and cultural diversity were 22% more likely to out-perform companies lacking ethnic and cultural diversity
Franchising offers a unique entrepreneurial avenue for under-resourced people of color across the country, with nearly a 26% minority ownership rate as compared to just 17% of non-franchised small businesses
Yolanda Stevenson grew up immersed in entrepreneurship, inspired by her father’s business. Her journey led to the creation of TaxiMom, a safe, reliable transportation service designed specifically for busy families…
Meet Yolanda
Larissa Ortiz Palatiere’s career in franchising is rooted in her educational journey at the University of North Texas and her commitment to professional growth, earning her Certified Franchise Executive (CFE)…
Meet Larissa
Ericka Garza, IFA Board Member and Chairwoman of the Hispanic Latino Franchise Leadership Council, has built her career on advocating for underrepresented minorities in franchising. With a background working in…
Meet Ericka
Becky Encinia’s journey into franchising began during her time working at a Chick-fil-A franchise while attending college. As the first in her family to graduate from college, Becky earned her…
Meet Becky
With more than 200 offices across 23 states, Toro Taxes is the largest Latino tax franchise in America. Co-founder Nick Maldonado has successfully led the company from its founding days…
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Patricia Navarro-Issel was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and shortly after made her way to the United States with her family. Growing up with two parents who didn’t speak English, she…
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Open for Opportunity made its way down to the Lonestar state to celebrate Texas’ ranking as the number one state for franchise growth in IFA’s 2023 Franchising Economic Outlook. With…
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In early February, Open for Opportunity made its way to the Garden State for a groundbreaking roadshow focused on hospitality and tourism – and the essential role that franchises play…
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In August, the Open for Opportunity Roadshow headed to Maryland to visit local business owners and have in-depth conversations on access to capital and today’s workfoce. Starting in Capitol Heights,…
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Sanna Shere’s father immigrated to the U.S. in 1978 with the dream of owning his own business. She says he came here with only $5 in his pocket hoping…
Meet Sanna Shere