IFA Pride Council Continues to Expand as Diversity Grows in Franchising

The Franchising Pride Council, a group dedicated to promoting equity and inclusivity in franchising, has experienced a great deal of traction lately and is now at over two dozen members and is seeing continued interest. Created in 2019 as a sector of the International Franchise Association (IFA), the council paused during the pandemic but has reached 25-plus individuals this year.

Paul Pickett, the co-founder of the Pride Council and chief development officer for Wild Birds Unlimited, told Franchise Times that the group's purpose is to “welcome and engage and embrace and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community within franchises. Brands [are] richer by having more diversity within.”

It’s important to champion the LGBTQ+ members of franchising. The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) reports that there are approximately 1.4 million LGBTQ-owned companies in the United States and that these businesses bring in a combined $2 trillion annually.

Statistics show these companies are extremely profitable, with Fortune reporting that LGBTQ+-owned businesses bring in $2.5 million in revenue per year, which is three times that of other concepts. About 15% of LGBTQ+-owned businesses have been in operation for over 20 years, proving successful longevity.

“It’s a great network. It’s been great just connecting with others in the space that care,” said member Joshua Kovacs, who is co-founder and CEO of Oakscale Franchise Development. Shaina Denny, co-founder and CEO of Dogdrop, called the group “the next step for full inclusivity. We haven’t really seen someone do that in this space. So, we’re really excited.”

With the surge of interest that the council has seen, its leaders have been working on delegating subcommittees for matters like education and advertising. The group routinely holds events and webinars to highlight important topics within the LGBTQ+ business community.

• International Franchise Association Joins Forces with Wild Birds Unlimited To Launch the Franchising Pride Council