IFA™S VETERAN™S ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WINS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

WASHINGTON, DC, June 23, 2008—The International Franchise Association (IFA) has received an Award of Excellence from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for its Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative (VetFran). IFA is one of only 11 to receive the 2008 Associations Advance America Awards in the third round of the selection process.

“We are thrilled that IFA has been recognized as an association that propels America forward,” said Matthew Shay, IFA president and CEO. “The VetFran program is one of IFA’s flagship programs. It demonstrates the diversity and reach of franchising and its impact on our country.”

ASAE serves approximately 10,000 associations that represent more than 287 million people and organizations worldwide. Each year, up to 50 associations are selected to receive the ASAE Associations Advance America Award of Excellence for improving the quality of life in America today. This year, 38 organizations were selected in three rounds. Of those, six will be chosen to receive the highly coveted ASAE Summit Award presented each September.

Endorsed by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, VetFran was conceived by franchise entrepreneur Don Dwyer, the late founder of The Dwyer Group, a holding company of six service-based franchises. Under the leadership of Dwyer’s daughter Dina Dwyer-Owens, chairwoman and CEO of the Dwyer Group and 1st Vice Chair of IFA, the program was re-initiated following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Since then nearly 1,100 honorably-discharged veterans have acquired franchised small businesses using VetFran financial incentives offered by the IFA-member participating companies. Typically, incentives are discounts of the initial fee that lower the up-front cash necessary to obtain a franchise.

“IFA’s program truly embodies the spirit of the Associations Advance America campaign. It is an honor and an inspiration to showcase this activity as an example of the many contributions associations are making to advance American society,” said 2007-2008 Associations Advance America Committee Chair Matthew D’Uva, CAE, president of SOCAP International, The Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals in Business.

###

VetFran Committee

Michael H. Seid, CFE, Chairman, Managing Dir., Michael H. Seid & Associates
Ron Berger, CEO, Figaro’s Italian Pizza, Inc.
Ryan Cunningham, President, Javelin Solutions
Janice M. Dwyer, CFE, President, Luce, Smith and Scott, Inc.
Marisa D. Faunce, Partner, Wiley Rein LLP
John Francis, PostNet Area Franchisee for Minnesota & Wisconsin
Lonnie Helgerson, CFE, President, IDENT-A-Kid Services of America
Clint Lee, Director, Franchise Development, Wing Zone Franchise Corporation
Mark Liston, CFE, Director, New Franchise Development, Valpak
Bret Lowell, CFE, Partner, DLA Piper US LLP
G. Thomas MacIntosh, Partner, Krass Monroe, P.A.
Joseph McCord, Vice President of Corporate Development, Steak-Out Franchising, Inc.
Steve Olson, Publisher, Franchise Update, Inc.
H. Scott Pressly, CFE, Founder and Managing Partner, Van Ness Capital Advisors
Jerrod Sessler, CEO, HomeTask Handyman Service, Inc.
Mary Thompson, CFE, President, Mr. Rooter
Phil Trigg, FranFit Sales Manager, NG Franchise Services, Inc.
Steve White, President, Signs Now