Sarah Bush Brings Strong Experience in Franchising to New Role
Veteran franchise lawyer Sarah Bush will serve as the International Franchise Association’s first general counsel. Bush will be a central player in the IFA’s government relations initiatives, the organization said in a news release announcing her hiring.
Bush will strengthen the organization’s efforts to thwart threats to the franchise business model at all levels of government: federal, state and local. The news release identified key franchise industry challenges as expansion of the joint employer standard on and federal levels; California’s FAST Act, which would create an appointed board to regulate fast-food workers’ pay and schedules; and other franchise relationship legislation. Bush also will advise IFA members on legislative and regulatory matters.
Experience in Franchise Industry
Bush’s background related to the franchise industry includes being general counsel for Mayweather Brands and Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in addition to serving as counsel in the franchise practices of international law firms DLA Piper, Foley & Lardner and Perkins Coie. Her expertise encompasses domestic and international franchise transactions, franchisor-franchisee relationships, franchise regulatory compliance, supply-chain management, and mergers and acquisitions. Bush has worked with emerging and established franchisors on wide-ranging issues affecting the industry.
She is University of Tennessee College of Law graduate with a concentration in business transactions. A member of the State Bar of Texas, Bush said she is “grateful to have the opportunity to serve the franchise community in this role.”
Bush Will Aid IFA Mission
The IFA for more than six decades has advocated on behalf of the global franchise industry. The United States has more than 790,000 franchisee-owned businesses that generate $825 billion-plus for the American economy. IFA members represent more than 300 business categories. Membership includes franchisors and franchisees as well as companies that support franchising in areas such as business development, law, marketing and technology.
In the news release, IFA President and CEO Matt Haller said Bush’s “depth of experience will provide critical support in IFA’s mission to protect franchising and serve as an invaluable resource for our members to navigate today’s business landscape.” He added that her hiring “is welcome news to the entire franchise community.”