---
title: "Chicago Welcomes the IFA's @OurFranchise Tour"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/dd12a7b5-dee0-48c3-bdbe-d8a8e9bc55da
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/chicago-welcomes-the-ifas-at-ourfranchise-tour-5712
category: "Franchise Industry"
industry: "Franchise Industry"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2016-09-02T16:11:29.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T04:13:19.293Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/8602726bea47b583cd2eb607065ee4372909160902113501.jpeg
---

# Chicago Welcomes the IFA's @OurFranchise Tour

**TL;DR:** The International Franchise Association's @OurFranchise Tour highlighted local franchises supporting Chicago's communities and creating jobs.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2016-09-02. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/chicago-welcomes-the-ifas-at-ourfranchise-tour-5712).*

## Story

From August 23 to August 25, the International Franchise Association’s @OurFranchise Tour spread its message throughout Chicago, highlighting how local franchises are supporting the city’s communities and creating hundreds of jobs.

During the tour, Cresanti addressed the Franchise Capital Exchange, along with NRD Capital Managing Director and IFA Chairman Aziz Hashim, who keynoted the event. Cresanti also called on elected officials to recognize the importance of franchising during the upcoming election season, and encouraged franchising supporters to make their voices heard when choosing candidates at the polls.

Cresanti also met with Illinois elected officials and staff, representatives of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and co-hosted a “Women in Business” luncheon at the Metropolitan Club to highlight how franchising provides opportunities for women interested in owning their own business.

Participants in the “Women in Business” luncheon included: Shelly Sun, CEO of BrightStar; Cheri McEssy, Owner of BrightStar; Sherri Fishman, President of Fishman PR; Marla Topliff, President of Rosati’s Pizza; Brittany Ladd, COO of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity; Andria Winters, Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity; Barbara Moran-Goodrich, the CEO of Moran Family of Brands; and Kathleen Wood, the CEO and Founder of Kathleen Wood Partners.

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)

---
Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/chicago-welcomes-the-ifas-at-ourfranchise-tour-5712). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/dd12a7b5-dee0-48c3-bdbe-d8a8e9bc55da).