December News


Membership to the European Franchise Federation

The EFF is the single accredited federation which regroups national franchise associations (or federations) from countries in Europe having satisfied the criteria of Ordinary or Associate membership described below. Affiliate membership is a possibility.

1. Ordinary membership

This category would include:
1. All organically independent, registered and representative national Franchise associations or federations which are either

 established in the European Union, or in official partnership with the EU,
 established in countries in the process of applying for EU membership, or considering such a process,
 as well as other Franchise associations or federations which, in the opinion of the EFF Board, will contribute to the attainment of the objectives stated in the EFF's Statutes and Code of Ethics.

2. Applying members must accept without reservation the Articles (Statutes) of the EFF and the regulations and rules drawn up in accordance with the articles.

3. Full members of the national associations and federations must be franchise networks representing both franchisors and their franchisees. Other categories are possible, but the association must be recognised at national level essentially, as an association that represents established or newly established franchise systems accredited by their reputation and success that country.

4. The governing body of the national franchise association/federation (ie.Board of Directors) must be primarily composed of Franchisors* elected by accredited Franchisor members.(*founders or owners of franchises or their organisational representative)

5. The Chairman (or President) of the governing body of the association must be a franchisor, and member of the governing body of the association.

6. Each national member association/federation must operate or commit to establishing an accreditation scheme which it regularly checks upon, to ensure that its voting Franchisor members remain in compliance throughout their membership with the spirit and principles of the European Code of Ethics, and to the standards of their membership criteria.

7. Contribute its annual membership fees on the basis defined by the EFF's General Assembly.

8. Rights: On becoming an Ordinary/Regular member, the association has a voting right at the annual General Assembly, its accredited representative is eligible to becoming a member of the EFF's Executive Board, and the association is entitled to use the logo of the EFF on its promotional materials.

9. On becoming a Member of the EFF, the national association agrees to also become a member of the World Franchise Council, as a full individual member, and to pay the annual WFC fee.

10. For full details on membership rights and obligations, please see the EFF's Statutes, source of these membership rules.

2. Associate membership

This category would include:

A National franchise association which does not yet fully comply to the conditions for Ordinary/Regular membership, but which commits to doing so according to the terms and schedule defined by the EFF's Executive Board.
The Board defines these conditions on a case by case basis

3. Affiliated membership

This category would include:

Individuals, companies or organisations other than national franchise associations whose functions or services contribute to the EFF's objectives and who are willing to subscribe to the Federation and its principles.
The Executive Board decides on the eligibility conditions on a case by case basis.
One condition is for the applicant to also be a member of one of the EFF's national franchise associations, either that from the country that the prospective member is originally from, or in which it operates essentially.
An affiliate would not hold the right to vote at the General Assembly or join the Executive Board.

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