2025: A Year of Progress and Impact

This past year, AAFD continued to strengthen its role as a leading voice and resource for franchisees and independent dealer associations. With a dedicated team and your support, we were able to accomplish the following:

• AAFD grew significantly in 2025 with 19 new Franchise Brands joining our community. This growth highlights the increasing value of independent franchisee representation and the strength of a unified voice.
• Expanded engagement across our member network, bringing more franchisees into conversations around fair franchising and system-wide best practices during monthly collaboration calls, organized by AAFD’s Chapter Managers.
• Partnered with the CFA for our Annual Franchisee Leadership Summit, which many attendees described as one of the strongest and most valuable conferences to date. The event brought meaningful education, collaboration, and industry dialogue to our community while strengthening the franchisee voice.
• Strengthened our supplier partner program, including welcoming VensureHR as a new branded partner and renewing Chatter as a branded partner, expanding valuable solutions available to members.
• Enhanced the Franchisee LegaLine program by introducing online access to legal counsel through the AAFD LegaLens platform.

• Supported chapter and association leaders by providing tools, guidance, and advocacy resources to help them operate effectively and represent their members with confidence.
• Advanced legislative and regulatory awareness, keeping members informed of key issues affecting franchising at both state and federal levels.
• Delivered educational content through AAFD TV, AAFD Social, meetings, and communications, designed to keep members informed, connected, and better equipped to navigate an evolving franchise landscape.

Looking Ahead to 2026

In the year ahead, our focus remains clear: strengthening the foundation that helps franchisees succeed. Key priorities for 2026 include:

• Deepening legislative communications and member awareness around policies that affect franchisee rights and business operations.
• Continuing to grow and refine our supplier program to ensure members have access to meaningful, high-value solutions.
• Implementing a new CRM platform that will give members direct access to their profiles, improving communication, data accuracy, and overall member experience.
• Supporting the development of strong, informed chapter leadership to amplify the collective voice of franchisees.
• Expanding member engagement through more targeted communications, educational opportunities, and practical resources.
• Identifying new partnerships and initiatives that align with AAFD’s mission of fairness, transparency, and improved profitability for franchisees.

AAFD’s strength has always come from its members.

Your participation, feedback, and leadership help shape the direction of this organization and ensure that our work remains grounded in real-world franchisee needs.

On behalf of the AAFD’s Board of Trustees, thank you for being part of the AAFD community. We look forward to building on this momentum together in 2026.

Robert Purvin
Richard Stroiney
Keith Miller
Amy Mancuso