Franchising World, February 2006

First presented in 1982, this award is conferred upon an individual who is currently building a successful business venture.  The recipient need not be an IFA member, but must exemplify the “entrepreneurial spirit” that franchising represents.  He or she must demonstrate innovative management skills and be a risk taker in a franchise that has been in operation for at least three years, while remaining active in his or her community.

John Hewitt
President and CEO
LibertyTax Service

John Hewitt is an entrepreneur with a blueprint for tax industry success. As a college student, Hewitt took an H&R Block tax course and described it as “the most interesting course I’ve ever taken.”  He began as a tax preparer, ascended the H&R Block management ranks and advanced to regional director, the youngest in the Block operating system.  Hewitt managed more than 2,000 preparers in 250 offices in one of the firm’s largest districts.

Embracing the technological revolution, he and his father developed a tax interview program that generated individual responses to questions.  The program’s advantages included accuracy and the ability to discover deductions an inexperienced tax preparer might easily overlook.

Anticipating the impact of this potential new tax revolution, Hewitt created a tax preparation service based on futuristic technology and high customer service standards.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service was born in Hampton Roads, Va.  By 1986, IRS personnel had designs on the positive effects that computerized tax service could have on the filing process. That year, Jackson Hewitt began offering franchises  in the United States.

Under Hewitt’s management, the company became a leader in the industry.  Jackson Hewitt became a public company in 1994, and was subsequently sold for $483 million in 1997. When Hewitt left Jackson Hewitt in fiscal 1997, the company was operating 1,345 offices.

Hewitt envisioned a new company, Liberty Tax Service.  His business plan was set into motion in Canada, when he purchased a Canadian tax company in 1997.

In 2003, Hewitt was named the Virginia Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young.

PREVIOUS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARDS                                                    

2004                Mary Ellen Sheets,                    Two Men And A Truck

2003                Russell Umphenour,               RTM Restaurant Group

2002                Steven J. Greenbaum, CFE     PostNet International Franchise Corp.

2001                David G. McKinnon,                 Service Brands International

2000                Sidney Feltenstein,                    Yorkshire  Global Restaurants

1999                Robert Funk, CFE                    Express Services

1998                Frank Belatti,                            AFC Enterprises

1997                Richard B. Rennick, CFE        American Leak Detection

1996                Anthony W. DeSio                  ,Mail Boxes Etc.

1995                Abe Gustin, Jr.,                          Applebee’s International Inc.

1994                Julie and Bill Brice,                The Brice Group

1993                Shigeharu Komai,                   Duskin Co.

1992                Joseph Francis, Sr.,                   The Barbers, Hairstyling Inc.

1991                U. Gary Charlwood, CFE          Uniglobe Travel International Limited Partnership

1990                Anthony Martino, CFE              MAACO Enterprises

1989                Al Copeland,                            Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits

1988                Frederick A. DeLuca, CFE       Subway Restaurants

1987                W. J. Hindman, CFE               Jiffy Lube International Inc.

1986                Thomas Monaghan,                Domino’s Pizza Inc.

1985                John Brown, Jr.,                      KFC Corp.

1984                J. Willard Marriott                    Marriott Corp.

1983                Frank Carney, CFE                   Pizza Hut, Inc.

1982                Kemmons Wilson,                     Holiday Inns Inc.