Federfranchising and City Angels call on franchise networks to lend support

The franchising community is being urged to put its resources and expertise to work for those in need. This was the message Federfranchising brought to the annual City Angels gathering, held in Milan on 18 October 2026 to mark the association’s 32nd anniversary. The event focused on supporting volunteers and encouraging franchisors to explore new ways of working together.

Businesses and volunteers meet in Milan

Confesercenti reported on Federfranchising’s participation in a statement dated 22 October. On stage at the gathering, Umberto Gonnella, president of Federfranchising and a City Angels ambassador, met FitActive CEO Eduardo Montefusco and his wife, Priscila.

Alongside the anniversary celebrations, the event considered how businesses can help people in need. For the franchising community, the question is how a network can use its commercial presence to support community assistance initiatives too.

Gonnella linked his two roles when explaining his position: ‘As president of Federfranchising and a City Angels ambassador, I believe franchising can and should also play a leading role in supporting those in need.’ He went on to outline possible ways to contribute, from donating goods and services to involving outlets in charitable projects.

FitActive supports volunteers with uniform donations

FitActive provided the practical example presented at the event: the company supports City Angels by donating uniforms to its volunteers. This is a material contribution to the association’s work, separate from the company’s commercial offering.

Confesercenti’s statement links this commitment to FitActive’s ambition to make fitness accessible to everyone, presenting it as an example of social responsibility in retail. The uniform donations therefore provide a practical starting point for a broader message to franchise networks.

It is important to distinguish between the two elements of the news: FitActive’s donation is described as existing support, while Federfranchising is calling for further partnerships. The speech at the gathering was therefore not an announcement of a programme already rolled out across all brands, but an invitation to discuss the resources each could contribute.

The appeal to franchisors: start with available resources

Gonnella addressed network leaders directly: ‘Contact us so we can assess together what resources, products, services or expertise your network could make available to City Angels and the people they help every day.’

The appeal goes beyond financial contributions. The options outlined include goods, services and expertise, as well as support for assistance initiatives. This approach leaves room for different types of contribution, to be assessed according to each network’s characteristics and the needs of the people receiving help.

In his speech, the president also highlighted the collective strength of the franchising community: ‘Even a small contribution, multiplied across a chain’s outlets, can make a big difference.’ This is the approach being proposed to franchisors: to consider not only what head office can offer, but also how individual outlets might get involved.

For now, this remains an invitation to explore the options together. For an interested network, the practical task is to identify a useful, sustainable contribution, without confusing a willingness to participate with a firm commitment.

Federfranchising’s role in new partnerships

Federfranchising aims to encourage dialogue between franchise networks and voluntary organisations, highlighting good practice and fostering partnerships that deliver tangible benefits for local communities. Gonnella also said he wanted to give recognition and visibility to networks that choose to support charitable causes.

The news is therefore primarily about encouraging involvement: using FitActive’s uniform donations as a practical example to invite other brands to consider how they might contribute. For the franchising community, the Milan gathering offers an opportunity to discuss social responsibility through specific activities, rather than statements of principle alone.

Practical guidance: interested networks can begin by listing the products, services and expertise they could offer, then sharing this with Federfranchising to explore possible support for City Angels.