Fair Franchising Accreditation

The AAFD’s unique philosophy of promoting marketplace solutions to the franchising industry’s problem is dramatically embodied in the AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards and Franchise System Accreditation Program. Designed to identify collaborative franchise relationships and recognizing that fair franchising is good business sense, the AAFD now recognizes and identifies two valuable categories of franchise system accreditation:

•  AAFD Fair Franchising Seal – the only full accreditation program in the world that recognizes franchise companies that embrace fair, balanced and collaborative franchising cultures in accordance with the AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards.
• AAFD Accredited Contract Status – companies that are working to earn the AAFD Fair Franchising Seal can gain a first level of AAFD Accreditation by adopting a franchise agreement that substantially conforms to the AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards. (This designation can be sustained for up to three years, by which time the company must qualify for the AAFD Fair Franchising Seal or forfeit AAFD Accreditation.)

AAFD accreditation is also a powerful marketing tool rewarding fair franchising agreements and practices. The AAFD honors AAFD Seal Recipients and AAFD Accredited Contracts in the marketplace and thereby encourages negotiated franchised relationships and ethical franchising practices. Only AAFD Accredited Franchisors are eligible to market their franchise opportunities through the AAFD, and through AAFD sponsored trade shows. The AAFD Fair Franchising Seal sets a new standard for franchise selection.

AAFD Accreditation focuses on the franchisor/franchisee relationship, and is not an endorsement of a franchisor’s profitability or business model. AAFDAccreditation is an important tool in investigating and selecting a franchise, but it does not replace need for further evaluation.