Robert Cresanti, CFE, on Malawi’s Pizza
The importance and widespread adoption of business “giving back” programs have been highlighted more than ever in recent months, after a series of seemingly endless natural disasters this year.
More and more, businesses are also making corporate social responsibility a part of their core business plan. At the International Franchise Association, we are proud that companies like Malawi’s Pizza – Pizza with a Purpose are leading by example in the franchising world.
While Malawi’s Pizza was founded with a mission to donate one meal for every meal sold to a child in the African nation of Malawi, each of its restaurants also have partnerships with charities in their local communities. The restaurants are just a few of the thousands of franchises across the country that give back to their communities every day.
To recognize these efforts and encourage more businesses to join this growing movement, the IFA Foundation created the Franchising Gives Back program, which includes a website, annual awards program and national registry where consumers can find the data they need to make informed choices. Studies show that people are increasingly seeking to support businesses that do good.
To date, the Franchising Gives Back National Registry includes more than 392 members and highlights the efforts of 313,061 volunteers, who have donated more than $245.1 million and 2.3 million hours to various nonprofits.
These numbers represent only a fraction of the thousands of franchise businesses that give back to their communities every day by
supporting charitable activities that range from sponsoring little league teams to veterans’ support programs, feeding the homeless at shelters and backing medical research into cures for life-threatening diseases.
The impact is substantial, as franchising makes up one of the fastest-growing sectors of the U.S. economy, contributing $994 billion in economic output and supporting 9.1 million jobs. Our social footprint and the ability of small business owners to touch the lives of their customers and neighbors in very personal ways is even bigger.
IFA is also committed to giving back at our headquarters in Washington, D.C. What started out as a simple option to wear jeans on Friday in exchange for the donation of $5 or a food item has grown into an organized monthly giving program that supports a host of charities.
As you think about ways to give back during this holiday season, remember that it’s also easy to give back every day by supporting your local franchise businesses.