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Facebook, the leading social media network, joined the International Franchise Association (IFA) as a member, the IFA announced.  It has also teamed up with the association to boost growth of the over 800,000 US-based franchises.  In 2012, it will offer free advertisements to local businesses.  It told The Street that it will email companies with FB pages about this promotion.

Facebook is teaming with the International Franchise Association to spur growth at small franchises in a challenging economy.

The trade association, representing more than 825,000 U.S.-based franchise establishments, said Friday that Facebook has become an official member, with the intent to connect “franchisors and franchisees with tools to grow their franchise systems and better connect with customers in their communities.”

Franchised companies are looking to grow, which means they are looking for ways to find prospective franchisees. Additionally, they want existing franchisees to connect more effectively with local customers, IFA president and CEO Steve Caldeira says.

“As a world leader in connecting people in a trusted environment online, Facebook’s involvement with the IFA will help franchise businesses drive sales and create jobs,” he says in a statement.

Facebook tools such as ad targeting and local “check-in” abilities can particularly help smaller franchises acquire and engage with customers. The social media giant says it wants to hear from franchisors and franchisees about their needs and respond with lessons on how to use the social media site for growth — a continuation of efforts announced in September.

Starting next year, Facebook will also award $10 million worth of free advertising to some 200,000 local businesses through $50 worth of ad credits each.

The company told TheStreet that as long as a business has a Facebook page and the ability to check-in they will likely get an email regarding the ad promotion.

The promotion will run through most of the first quarter.

Photo by mcdordor2001