Fishman PR CEO Brad Fishman Elected to International Franchise Association (IFA) Board of Directors

Former IFA Supplier Forum Advisory Board chair brings decades of franchise leadership to further the IFA's mission to protect, enhance and promote the franchising business model

CHICAGO, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Fishman Public Relations ("Fishman PR") announced today that CEO Brad Fishman has been elected to the International Franchise Association's (IFA) Board of Directors, returning to a national leadership role with the top organization representing franchise businesses around the world.

Fishman's initial three-year term will begin at the 2027 IFA Annual Convention in Las Vegas, February 22–24.

One of three newly elected supplier members, Fishman brings a valued perspective that has been shaped by both his agency's work and longstanding involvement in the association. He is among 16 incoming directors representing franchisors, franchisees, and the businesses that support them to move the IFA's mission forward.

During his three-year term, Fishman will help guide IFA's strategic priorities, bringing a supplier perspective to efforts focused on:

• Advocacy: Protecting the franchise business model and supporting opportunities for business ownership.
• Education: Strengthening access to resources that help franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers succeed.
• Member engagement: Building connections across the franchise community and helping IFA respond to its members' evolving needs.

Over his 35+ years as CEO and co-founder of Fishman Public Relations, Fishman has worked alongside franchise leaders to build brand awareness, communicate their franchise opportunities, and share the stories of the entrepreneurs behind their growth.

"As a PR agency specializing in helping franchise brands move forward, the franchise business model is the backbone of our family business," said Fishman. "I'm eager to give back to the community that's given so much to me, my family and our employees over the years."

Fishman added, "I've watched franchisors and franchisees take risks, create jobs, and build something they're proud to pass on to their children. Returning to the IFA board means standing up for those people and their businesses. I want to help protect their ability to grow and make sure ownership remains within reach for the next generation of entrepreneurs."

Beyond Fishman PR, Fishman also founded Franchise Elevator PR, a specialty agency designed to support emerging franchise brands, as well as investor/partner with Rev PR, which serves franchisors in the United Kingdom. He has also invested and served on the boards of a variety of companies within the franchise space, including FranFund, FranChoice, and the Franchise Supplier Network (FSN). Additionally, Fishman is a co-founder and partner of franchisors.com, an online community, content hub, and event organizer built specifically for franchise founders, executives, operators, and suppliers.

These roles have given him experience across franchise communications, financing, development, and supplier support.

Fishman joined Fishman PR as CEO in 1992, leaving his family business to grow the agency his wife, Sherri Fishman, founded a year earlier. Sherri, who now serves as the agency's founder and Chief Visionary Officer, led client service and operations while Brad focused on business growth and building relationships throughout the industry.

35 Years Supporting Franchise Brands and Entrepreneurs
Fishman's return to the IFA board comes as Fishman PR celebrates its 35th anniversary. Since its founding in 1991, the agency has worked with hundreds of franchise systems, helping them reach prospective business owners, attract customers, and strengthen their reputations.

The agency's services have evolved alongside the industry, expanding into content and digital marketing, SEO, generative engine optimization (GEO), influencer programs, and crisis communications. Its work also includes local grand opening publicity to help franchisees establish a presence in their communities.

In September, Fishman PR earned the No. 1 position in the Public Relations category of Entrepreneur magazine's Top Franchise Suppliers ranking for the ninth consecutive year. The ranking is based on feedback from franchisors evaluating the quality, cost, and value of their suppliers' services.

The incoming directors represent a range of industries and business disciplines, reflecting the diversity of franchising and IFA's membership. According to IFA, more than 832,000 franchise businesses operate in the United States, employing nearly 9 million people and generating more than $900 billion in economic output across more than 300 industries.

About Fishman Public Relations
Founded in 1991, Fishman Public Relations is the premier national franchise PR agency offering best-in-class media relations, content marketing, digital marketing, SEO, GEO, influencer relations and crisis communications for franchise brands. For 35 years, the specialty agency has helped hundreds of franchise systems grow through effective franchise lead generation and brand awareness campaigns. This latest recognition from Entrepreneur reinforces Fishman PR's long-standing position as the best franchise public relations firm, trusted by franchisors nationwide to drive growth through powerful storytelling and strategic innovation. To learn more about franchise PR agency services, please visit www.fishmanpr.com.

About the International Franchise Association
Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 832,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.8 million direct jobs, $907.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.

FAQs

Who is Brad Fishman?
Brad Fishman is CEO of Fishman Public Relations and has more than three decades of experience helping franchise brands grow. He previously served on the International Franchise Association's Board of Directors and Executive Board and chaired its Supplier Forum.

What will Brad Fishman's role on the IFA Board of Directors involve?
As a supplier representative, Fishman will help guide IFA's strategic priorities and support its advocacy, education, and member engagement efforts. He will work alongside franchisor, franchisee, and supplier leaders to strengthen franchising and expand opportunities for business ownership.

When does Brad Fishman's IFA board term begin?
Fishman's initial three-year term begins at the 2027 IFA Annual Convention in Las Vegas, February 22–24, 2027.

What is Fishman Public Relations?
Fishman Public Relations (Fishman PR) is a national public relations and content marketing agency headquartered in Chicago with more than 35 years of experience helping franchise brands grow through strategic communications.

What services does Fishman PR provide?
Fishman PR offers best-in-class franchise PR, content marketing, digital marketing, SEO, GEO/AI Visibility Management, influencer relations, local PR campaigns, and crisis communications.

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SOURCE Fishman Public Relations, Inc.

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