Franchisees in Action:
Grassroots Lobbying at Work
by Elizabeth Lowman
W
hen you get to the bottom line, protecting your livelihood depends on each one of you. The knowledge
and expertise of government relations professionals
working for your franchisor or franchisee association
can take you far in achieving public policy goals, but you are the
real troops and your efforts are key to the overall success.
It is incumbent on every Buffalo Wild Wings® franchisee
to let your elected officials know your concerns. It is also your
duty to educate those officials on how any proposed legislation
will affect small-business owners because you have the most
powerful tool available on Capitol Hill—your vote.
As a constituent, you have the ability to hold each policy
maker accountable. Without hearing from you, your legislator
does not know what is important to you. In fact, your recommendation could be the deciding factor in a member’s decision
to vote for or against a bill.
Some of your fellow franchisees have taken this message
(L-R) President Obama meets with winners of the 2010 SBA National
Entrepreneurial Success Award, Steve Wheat and Bobby Pancake.
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to heart, spending valuable time on grassroots lobbying efforts.
Brad Anderson, president of Anderson Management Group in
Montana; Bobby Pancake with High 5, LLC in Delaware; and
Ed Lynn with Oklahoma-based OK Wings all take dynamic
roles in enlightening decision-makers in their home states and
in Washington, D.C. about the franchise model.
Anderson was not actively involved with government relations until he saw the impact legislation had on his business.
Since that time, he has met with quite a few elected officials,
both through FBS’ membership in the Coalition of Franchisee
Associations (CFA) and with the Buffalo Wild Wings Inc.
Political Action Committee (BWWPAC).
He says, “Franchisees aren’t as heavily
capitalized as the gas and oil guys. We
can’t make our impact by writing checks,
so we need to make our voice heard.”
Pancake agrees, “We have to protect our industry. There is
no way elected officials can know everything about everything.”
Both Anderson and Pancake take a personal responsibility in
educating their state and local legislators on issues important to
their business.
Like Anderson, Pancake didn’t get involved until he was
a franchisee. Upon receiving the Small Business Association
National Entrepreneurial Success Award in 2010, Pancake
and his business partner, Steve Wheat, were invited to meet
with President Obama at the White House. After that, he says,
“Everyone kind of assumed I knew everything [about politics].”
So, he took it upon himself to make sure he did.
He, too, has held meetings with multiple legislators since
then, but admits that “everyone wanted to meet with us”
following the exposure from the award, so it was easy to get
access. Those experiences were the catalyst that sparked his
desire to participate in grassroots lobbying and advocate for
the industry. “I have made myself available to be a voice and
provide feedback, especially if it deals with the profitability of, or
people, in our restaurants.”
Lynn has been politically active his entire career and is
currently a member of the board of directors of the BWWPAC.
He sees it as his responsibility as a steward of his business to
“fight against external threats who seek to do it harm, and unfortunately, our government often develops policies that do harm.”
Grassroots lobbying is not just about face-to-face meeting
with your legislators. Political activism can consist of volunteering with or donating to campaigns or PACs as well as
spending time hosting or attending fundraising events.
Anderson recently held a successful fundraiser at his home
for former Montana State Sen. Ryan Zinke, a candidate for the
U.S. Congress. Zinke has tapped Anderson to inform him about
the franchise model and what is important to small-business
owners. Through their relationship, Anderson also plans on
taking advantage of the opportunity to discuss these matters
with House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, at an upcoming
fundraising event for Zinke.
As vice chair of the BWWPAC, most of Pancake’s efforts
are centered there, as well as within his state. “I am very in tune
with issues in Delaware. I have donated to a candidate running
for st ]H