SMALL BUSINESS

Voice for Franchise Industry: The new California Franchise Assn. plans to educate prospective franchise owners, as well as lobby on behalf of the franchise industry.

“We need a voice in our state Legislature,” said the organization’s co-founder, Michael Sawitz, chief executive officer of Aim Mail Centers, a franchiser with corporate headquarters in Lake Forest.

Sawitz said that the public has misconceptions about franchising: “For instance, some think that franchisers finance franchisees, but most don’t.” However, he added, “a lot of doors open up for franchisees” from lenders attracted by a successful chain’s seal of approval.

The organization meets the second Wednesday of every month at 9 a.m. in Newport Beach. For more information about the group, call Sawitz at (714) 837-4151.