FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Matthew Haller, 202-662-0770
Jenna Weisbord, 202-662-0766
mhaller@franchise.org
jweisbord@franchise.org
PETER CANCRO EARNS IFA ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD
LAS VEGAS, Feb. 19, 2013–Peter Cancro, founder and CEO of Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, has been named Entrepreneur of the Year, during the International Franchise Association’s 53 rdAnnual Convention.
First presented in 1982, the Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes an individual who is currently building a successful business venture, exemplifies the “entrepreneurial spirit” that franchising represents and demonstrates innovative management skills and is a risk take.
Cancro founded Jersey Mike’s in 1987, a franchise system that operates more than 600 restaurants in 33 states from New Jersey to California. Cancro began his business career in 1971, where his first job was at a place called Mike’s Subs. In 1975, at the age of 17 and a senior in high school, he gave up a potential college football career to buy the sub shop. Cancro credits his football coach and area banker Rod Smith with making it all possible. Cancro changed the name of the original Mike’s to “Jersey Mike’s” and began his national expansion. Today, Cancro eyes the goal of 1,000 units within the next five years, expanding nationally and internationally, a lesson in entrepreneurship.
One of his secrets to success is his philosophy of giving to the community in which he lives and works. Charities, hospitals, school systems and numerous individuals have benefited from his support.
During March 2012, Jersey Mike’s celebrated its 2nd Annual Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving, a fundraising campaign supporting 74 local charities with a mission to help children. Together with its generous customers, Jersey Mike’s raised more than $864,000 for these charities. From June 30 through July 29, 2012, Jersey Mike’s and its customers raised $218,282 for Wreaths Across America and its mission to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families, and teach children the value of freedom. The contribution helped WAA lay more than 225,000 wreaths—one for every fallen hero’s headstone—at Arlington National Cemetery on National Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 15, 2012.
###
About the International Franchise Association
The International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. Celebrating over 50 years of excellence, education and advocacy, IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising. Through its media awareness campaign highlighting the theme, Franchising: Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time, IFA promotes the economic impact of the more than 825,000 franchise establishments, which support nearly 18 million jobs and $2.1 trillion of economic output for the U.S. economy. IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development.