FTC Receives AAFD Award for Distinguished Service

The American Association of Franchisee and Dealers (AAFD) announced April 11 that on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission, attorney Steven Toporoff will recieve the AAFD Total Quality Franchising Chairman’s Award for Distinguished Service and Achievement in the Franchising Community at its upcoming conference.

FTC is Recognized for Distinguished Service and Achievement in the Franchising Community

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), has been named the recipient of the AAFD’s prestigious Distinguished Service and Achievement in the Franchising Community Award for the work the FTC did on the recent Franchise Rule Amendment, and especially for including a requirement for disclosure of independent franchisee associations in the franchisor’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

Steven Toporoff, an attorney with the FTC , was honored to accept the award on behalf of the Commission. “The Federal Trade Commission is honored to be recognized by the AAFD, an organization that has repeatedly participated in the process while offering valuable input in regards to the FTC Franchise Rule.” Toporoff says. "I greatly appreciate the input of the AAFD during the rulemaking process and I believe that the amended Rule is a better product because of the AAFD involvement."

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved an amended Franchise Rule on January 22, 2007. The amendments change what franchisors are required to disclose in their Uniform Franchise Offering Circulars (UFOCs) which are now called Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD).

The Amended Franchise Rule is mandatory as of July 1, 2008. One of the provisions of the Amended Franchise Rule is the requirement of the franchisor, if requested by a franchisee association, to disclose details of the independent franchisee association. This rule change now enhances the importance of the franchisee association because prospective franchisees will now be aware of their existence prior to purchasing a franchise.

AAFD Chairman Robert Purvin is proud to acknowledge the FTC, and happy that Steven Toporoff will accept on behalf of the FTC, “Steven, has worked for many years as the FTC’s Franchise Program Coordinator, and has always be willing to hear all sides of the issues, there isn’t a more fitting person to accept the award on behalf of the FTC.”

The AAFD Total Quality Franchising Awards will be presented at the Association’s annual TQF Awards Banquet on Monday, May 5, 2008, during AAFD’s 16th Annual Conference in Newport News, Virginia.

For more information about the AAFD and the 16th Annual Conference visit: www.AAFD.org