AAFD Fair Franchising Standards Now Available Worldwide in Print and Digital Formats
SAN DIEGO, CA (December 5, 2012) – The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) is pleased to announce that the AAFD Fair Franchising Standards are now available in both print and digital formats worldwide. This important work, developed over the past 15 years by a broad committee of leaders within the franchise community, offers a blueprint to fair and balanced franchise agreements and relationships.
The standards provide franchise owners and prospective franchise buyers with objective criteria by which to judge a franchise opportunity. Consistent with the AAFD’s marketplace solutions to the problems facing the franchising community, the AAFD Fair Franchising Standards provide well-defined criteria to identify and validate forward thinking franchisors who respect the legitimate rights and needs of their franchisees.
The AAFD Fair Franchising Standards Committee commenced its work in 1994 to develop the standards. Over the past 15 years the committee has consisted of more than 70 franchise leaders, including both franchisor and franchisee business executives, attorneys and franchise business consultants. The committee participated in debates and negotiations in order to draft and adopt 138 individual standards (and counting) that make up the AAFD Fair Franchising Standards publication. The standards represent consensus with respect to virtually every aspect of the franchise relationship.
The AAFD Standards Committee adopted the following mission statement:
The mission of the AAFD Fair Franchising Standards Committee of the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers is to develop standards relating to various business and legal aspects of the franchise relationship so that a more equitable franchise agreement becomes the standard for the franchise community which reflects and balances the legitimate business interests of the franchisor and the legitimate business interests of its franchisees.
“Promoting the AAFD Fair Franchising Standards is the heart of the AAFD’s mission,” said Robert L. Purvin Jr., Chairman and CEO of the AAFD. “We believe franchise systems that embrace the AAFD standards will dramatically drive the success of their brands and result in a fairer and more balanced relationship between franchisor and franchisee. That’s why we’re excited that the standards are now more available than ever. Purchasing the standards may be the best investment a franchisee, franchise buyer, or franchise executive will ever make.”
The AAFD utilizes The Fair Franchising Standards to evaluate and accredit franchising companies that meet the objectives of the standards. The AAFD has established its prestigious AAFD Fair Franchising Seal for franchise companies whose franchise agreements and cultures substantially conform to the AAFD Standards. Eighteen brands have earned the AAFD Seal over the last 10 years.
The new print edition of the AAFD Fair Franchising Standards is available on Amazon.com for $4.99 and the Kindle edition retails for $2.99. Amazon Prime members are able to obtain the Kindle edition for FREE. The AAFD Standards can also be viewed on the AAFD website at www.AAFD.org.
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About the AAFD
May 1, 2012 marks the 20th Anniversary of the AAFD, a national non-profit trade association representing the rights and interests of franchisees and independent dealers throughout the United States. The AAFD is focused on market driven reform to achieve its mission to define and promote collaborative franchise cultures that the AAFD describes as Total Quality Franchising. Since its formation, the AAFD has grown to represent more than 50,000 franchised locations throughout the United States. The AAFD has members in all 50 states and represents more than 100 different franchise systems.
The AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards, Fair Franchising Seal, Trademark Chapters, and emphasis on Marketplace Solutions led to the Association’s recognition as a growing force in franchising. The AAFD’s Branded Partner programs add a new dimension to the value of AAFD membership. The AAFD provides a broad range of member services designed to help franchisees build market power, create legislative support of interest to franchisees, provide legal and financial support, and provide a wide range of general member benefits.
For more information about the AAFD, please call toll free – 800-733-9858 or visit www.AAFD.org.
For media information:
Joel Ellazar
joel@aafd.org
Robert Purvin
rpurvin@aafd.org