Matt Haller

President & CEO at International Franchise Association

Speaker

Matt Haller is President and CEO of the International Franchise Association (IFA), the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide.

Under his leadership since 2021, IFA has experienced annual double-digit revenue increases and launched new initiatives that have expanded member value, enhanced IFA’s long-term impact and empowered the organization as a force multiplier in the mission of preserving, protecting and enhancing the franchise model.

Matt has elevated IFA’s reputation by spearheading the Franchise Means Local campaign, a multimillion-dollar national effort showcasing that franchises are locally owned and operated businesses deeply rooted in their communities. Matt continues to be a driving force behind IFA’s advocacy strategy in Washington and across the country. In September 2025, IFA, under Matt’s leadership, supported the introduction of the bipartisan American Franchise Act, landmark legislation that will preserve the franchise model for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

A frequent commentator in national media, Matt has appeared on CNBC, Fox Business, NPR’s Marketplace, and Bloomberg, and has been quoted extensively in top-tier outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, POLITICO, and Reuters. He has authored op-eds in Fox News, Fox Business, Entrepreneur Magazine, and the Washington Reporter, and has contributed commentary and analysis to leading industry publications such as Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine and Franchise Times.

Prior to joining IFA in 2010, Haller held roles at the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, UPS Corporate Public Affairs, and Levick Strategic Communications. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from North Carolina State University and lives in Washington, D.C.