WASHINGTON, D.C. — Angie Katsanevas, founder and franchisor of the salon brand Lunatic Fringe and a cast member of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, is set to testify before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business during a congressional hearing examining franchising as a pathway to entrepreneurship.
The hearing, titled “Local Ownership, National Brands: How Franchising is a Pathway to Entrepreneurship,” will bring together business leaders and franchise owners to discuss how franchising supports local economies, job creation, and small business growth across the United States. Katsanevas will become the first reality television personality to appear as a witness before Congress, marking a notable moment at the intersection of entrepreneurship, media visibility, and public policy.
Drawing from more than two decades of experience building and scaling Lunatic Fringe from a single salon into a national franchise brand, Katsanevas is expected to address the opportunities franchising creates for entrepreneurs, employees, and local communities, as well as the challenges facing small business owners today.
In prepared testimony, she emphasizes that franchising is often misunderstood.
“Many people see a familiar brand and assume it is controlled by a large corporation,” Katsanevas notes. “In reality, franchising is powered by local owners—individuals who invest in their communities, create jobs, and build businesses with purpose.”
Her testimony focuses on the evolution of her business, workforce development through franchise ownership, and policy considerations that could further strengthen the franchising model for entrepreneurs and workers alike.
The hearing will also feature testimony from several franchise owners representing a range of industries, offering firsthand perspectives on how federal policies impact small businesses operating under national brands.
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