{"id":2548241,"date":"2026-01-22T19:02:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T00:02:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/real-housewives-star-angie-k-testifies-in-congress-on-franchises\/"},"modified":"2026-01-22T19:05:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T00:05:29","slug":"real-housewives-star-angie-k-testifies-in-congress-on-franchises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/real-housewives-star-angie-k-testifies-in-congress-on-franchises\/","title":{"rendered":"Real Housewives star Angie K testifies in Congress on franchises"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Freal-housewives-star-angie-k-testifies-in-congress-on-franchises%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2548241&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Angie katsanevas,a cast member of The Real Housewives of Salt lake City and founder of the Lunatic Fringe salon,testified before the House Committee on Small Businesses in support of the bipartisan American Franchise Act. Speaking as an expert witness, she described franchising as a pathway to entrepreneurship and argued that franchises are small businesses that promote upward mobility. Katsanevas operates three salons in Salt Lake City and said additional locations in Utah, Idaho, and Ohio are run by franchisees; she urged Congress to pass the law to protect that business model for future entrepreneurs. The bill would define franchise relationships, clarify the &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-appointees-will-not-recuse-themselves-from-union-case-brought-by-former-employer\/\" title=\"Biden Appointees Will Not Recuse Themselves From Union Case Brought by Former Employer\">joint employer<\/a>&#8221; rule, and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >align federal labor laws-steps<\/a> she said would help roughly 830,000 franchise businesses and their 9 million employees. She also highlighted tax policies she supports, like bonus depreciation and no tax on tips, and testified alongside other witnesses while partnering with the International Franchise Association, which praised the legislation. During the hearing members referenced her reality-TV background; she opened with her viral line, &#8220;You do french fries, I do franchise.&#8221;  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Real Housewives star Angie K testifies in Congress to support American Franchise Act<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2481210\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Angie Katsanevas, star from the <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/1043665\/were-the-real-housewives-intimidated-out-of-revealing-their-trump-votes\/\">Real Housewives<\/a> of Salt Lake City<\/em>, testified on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/capitol-hill\/\">Capitol Hill <\/a>Thursday in support of the American Franchise Act.<\/p>\n<p>Katsanevas, who is the owner and founder of Lunatic Fringe, testified before the House Committee on Small Businesses as an expert witness for a hearing on how franchising is a pathway to entrepreneurship.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4430509\/warner-bros-discovery-shareholders-paramount-netflix\/\">Warner Bros. Discovery says over 93% of its shareholders rejected &#8216;inferior&#8217; Paramount offer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4427797\/unitedhealth-group-vows-give-customer-rebates-affordable-care-act-profits\/\">UnitedHealth Group vows to give customer rebates with Affordable Care Act profits<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4425236\/whitmer-blames-lack-electric-vehicle-investments-chaotic-policy-terrain\/\">Whitmer blames lack of electric vehicle investments on &#8216;chaotic policy terrain&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;Look, I know people hear the word &lsquo;franchise&rsquo; and hear &lsquo;big business,&rsquo; but that&rsquo;s not true,&rdquo; Katsanevas said. &ldquo;Franchises are small businesses. My business is a small business, and it is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oregon-dem-reverses-course-on-big-labor-bill-after-union-pressure-campaign\/\" title=\"Oregon Dem Reverses Course on Big Labor Bill After Union Pressure Campaign\">franchise model<\/a> that has allowed me to grow my small business.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Her testimony marks the first time a cast member of the <em>Real Housewives<\/em> testified before Congress.&nbsp; The other expert witnesses who testified were Tina Patel, Clement Troutman, and Rico Macaraeg.<\/p>\n<p>Lunatic Fringe, the hair salon business she started with her husband, has locations in Utah, Idaho, and Ohio. Katsanevas operates three of them in Salt Lake City, and the six other locations are operated by franchisees.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Katsanevas urged the committee to pass the American Franchise Act because it can &ldquo;protect&rdquo; many businesses.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This committee has the rare opportunity to protect my business and the businesses of fellow witnesses today,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Congress can pass the bipartisan American Franchise Act to protect the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-bill-allowing-state-panel-to-set-fast-food-worker-wages-clears-senate\/\" title=\"California Bill Allowing State Panel to Set Fast Food Worker Wages Clears Senate\">franchise business model<\/a> for the next generation of new entrepreneurs.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A few aspects in the American Franchise Act include defining franchise relationships, clarifying the &ldquo;joint employer&rdquo; rule, and aligning federal labor laws.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is perhaps the most important thing Congress can do for 830,000 franchise businesses in the United States and their 9 million employees that are the fabric of neighborhoods across America,&rdquo; Katsanevas said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Real Housewives<\/em> star, who is the daughter of a Greek immigrant,&nbsp;also testified in partnership with the International Franchise Association.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The association also praised the legislation, saying it&rsquo;s a &ldquo;landmark moment.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This legislation recognizes that franchisees are small businesses, and their independence must be protected by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/waffle-arizona-house-speaker-claims-they-cant-enforce-constitution-wont-commit-to-calling-legislative-hearing\/\" title=\"WAFFLE: Arizona House Speaker Claims They Can\u2019t Enforce Constitution, Won\u2019t Commit To Calling Legislative Hearing\">federal law<\/a>,&rdquo; IFA President and CEO Matt Haller said in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.franchise.org\/2025\/09\/ifa-applauds-introduction-of-landmark-american-franchise-act\/\">press release<\/a>. &ldquo;The American Franchise Act allows franchisors to properly support their franchisees.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Katsanevas said the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/beltway-confidential\/2783390\/biden-administration-quietly-steps-up-its-war-on-small-businesses\/\">franchise model <\/a>helps upward mobility and provides people with a path forward to becoming entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;[The franchise model] lets people who wouldn&rsquo;t otherwise start a business from scratch become entrepreneurs in their own community,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;It lets people achieve the American dream of business ownership.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;And those American dreams are worth protecting,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Katsanevas and her husband started their careers as hair stylists before opening Lunatics Fringe.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>She said opening their first salon allowed them to provide a &ldquo;blueprint&rdquo; for future franchises, arguing they would not franchise their business unless they were certain it worked.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We were able to provide them the blueprint to [open a salon] and they could stay within our family,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;We were able to set them up for success by passing along our years of discoveries, of failures.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We took all the hits to get to where we needed to be today to offer them a salon that was set up for success,&rdquo; Katsanevas said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Katsanevas praised the bonus depreciation provision, saying it allowed her business to improve the salons faster than planned and reinvest that money in its employees.<\/p>\n<p>She also supported the no tax on tips, arguing it allows her staff to take home more of their pay and helps with the growth of the business overall.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4408034\/hilton-yanks-franchise-minneapolis-hotel-cancels-ice-officer-reservations\/\"><strong>HILTON YANKS FRANCHISE FROM MINNEAPOLIS AFTER HOTEL CANCELS ICE OFFICER RESERVATIONS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Throughout her testimony, some congressional members leaned into Katsanevas&rsquo;s reality TV background by mentioning moments from the <em>Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Katsanevas opened her testimony by saying one of her more viral comments from the show, when she gave a snappy response to another housewife: &ldquo;You do french fries, I do franchise.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Angie K testifies for American Franchise Act<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3984,"featured_media":2548242,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-22-at-5.21.07-PM-e1769125244991.png?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[71716,64787,71718,71717,71715],"class_list":["post-2548241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-angie-k","tag-congressional-testimony","tag-franchise-regulation","tag-franchises","tag-real-housewives"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-22-at-5.21.07-PM-e1769125244991.png?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2548241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3984"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2548241"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2548241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2548248,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2548241\/revisions\/2548248"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2548242"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2548241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2548241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2548241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}