His tenure as the association’s president and CEO will come to an end March 2021.
The International Franchise Association (IFA) has announced that Robert Cresanti, president and CEO, has informed the board of directors that he will step down from his position at the end of his contract on March 31, 2021.
Upon his departure, there will not be an immediate search for a new CEO, but instead key members of the executive board will lead the association for the foreseeable future.
“I am proud of the many advocacy-related accomplishments at IFA during my tenure, notably ensuring franchises were maximally eligible for financial relief in the CARES Act, reversing the harmful joint employer rule, and enacting tax reform that saved franchise owners billions of dollars,” said Cresanti. “Furthermore, IFA hosted its largest-ever convention earlier this year and our member engagement is higher than ever.
“Even as the association had to take painful but important steps to streamline the association and ensure its financial viability during the pandemic, the mission to protect, promote and enhance the franchise business model continues to be achieved despite these economic difficulties. The IFA staff is unmatched and has delivered for our members throughout this incredibly challenging time.”
Earlier this year, we had the pleasure of speaking with Robert Cresanti on the Global Franchise Podcast, about the multitude of ways that the IFA supported the franchise industry through the toughest months of the pandemic.
Additionally, we announced back in September 2020 that Robert would assume the role of head judge for the highly-anticipated Global Franchise Awards 2021 – a role unaffected by this news.
“Under Robert’s direction, IFA has marked key legislative and regulatory victories from tax reform to labor law challenges,” said Catherine Monson, president and CEO of FASTSIGNS International, and chair of the IFA board. “As CEO, he more than doubled our reserves while growing revenue each year and significantly lowering the overall expenses of the association. Robert changed an organizationally challenged association into a modern, financially responsible, and technologically current business.”
