Highest Honors Given by the International Franchise Association

The International Franchise Association (IFA) today recognized five individuals for their significant contributions to franchising at its 62nd Annual Convention in San Diego. These awards are the highest level of accomplishment recognized by IFA, given to individuals who have contributed the most to the franchise business model, the growth of the sector, and service to their communities.

“These award recipients represent the best of the best in franchising,” said Matthew Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “Their contributions will have a lasting impact on the future of the business model, and it is our hope by recognizing them today, it will inspire entrepreneurs to realize the opportunities that franchising provides in the way of jobs, service, and economic growth.”

The 2021 IFA award recipients are as follows:

Hall of Fame Award: Dina Dwyer-Owens, CFE, Former Chairwoman & CEO, Neighborly

As the oldest and most prestigious award conferred by the IFA, the winner must be a franchisor or franchisee who has contributed significantly to the advancement of franchising and to the benefit of IFA and the franchising community – through successful franchising programs, innovative activities and service to the Association.

Dwyer-Owens embodies living and leading with values, growing a team across top-notch service brands that propelled The Dwyer Group and franchising at-large to a national and international level, taking the Dwyer Group, now Neighborly, to become the world’s largest organizations of service brands. Dina has been actively involved in the International Franchise Association and IFA Foundation, serving as Chairwoman of the IFA Board, as well as chair of the VetFran Committee, was the 2001 recipient of the Bonny LeVine Award and the 2011 Crystal Compass Award, and has been an active advocate for the franchising industry. She was selected for the way she grew her business into one that is self-sustaining, for her involvement in IFA, and the way she continues to improve the franchising industry and community.

Bonny LeVine Award: Dena Tripp, Co-Founder, Nothing Bundt Franchising, Inc.

This award recognizes women who are role models for all, but especially women, by their business and professional accomplishments within franchising and their contributions to our entire society.

Co-founder of Nothing Bundt Cakes, Tripp began franchising in 2007 taking the business from one location started from her home kitchen to more than 400, spanning 40 states and Canada. Dena believes strong family networks and support make operating your own business possible. Her balance of motherhood and focus on quality, family and service as the core of the Nothing Bundt Cakes have led to more than an estimated 90% of Nothing Bundt Cake bakeries being female-owned. Dena has led by example in helping other women start their own bakeries and find something they can be passionate about, and she continues to serve as a mentor to many aspiring bakery owners.

Ronald E. Harrison Award: Wanda Williams, Head of Global Franchising, Yum! Brands, Inc.

This award recognizes an organization or individual who has made significant contributions to minorities and diversity, equity, and inclusion matters in franchising either within their franchise company or within the franchise community.

Currently serving as the Head of Global Franchising at Yum! Brands, Wanda has always prioritized education and opportunity for all, working to ensure that Yum! is as diverse, at every level, as the communities the company serves. She transformed Pizza Hut’s U.S. franchise landscape by partnering to sell more than 2,000 restaurants to new diverse franchise buyers. She launched Mosaic, a multicultural underrepresented employee resource group that includes employees from Pizza Hut US, Pizza Hut Global, and KFC Global divisions. She also helped launch the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville, which focuses on educating women and underrepresented people of color about the benefits of franchising. Wanda serves as authoritative voice on diversity initiatives, including addressing and educating IFA audiences.

Entrepreneur of the Year Award: David Barr, Partner, Franworth

This award is designed to give recognition to those individuals who have the vision to see what might be, are willing to take the risks that traditionally accompany any new endeavor and possess the management skills to create a successful business enterprise through franchising.

David Barr is recognized for his past and present work growing multiple brands and advancing the franchising industry. Barr is a Board Member to nearly a dozen franchise brands, and a franchisee of 39 KFC and Taco Bell restaurants, as well as 4 restaurants of Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop and 3 units of Spice & Tea Exchange, following his success with Great American Cookies. With his vast experience across nearly all categories of franchised businesses, David generously lends his experience to guide, groom and grow brands, executives, and the industry at a large, in a truly remarkable and responsible way.

William Rosenberg Foundation Leadership Award: Gordon Logan, Founder and Chairman of Sport Clips

Named in honor of the man whose vision and leadership led to the creation of the IFA Foundation, this award is presented each year to an individual who has made an impact on franchise education, outreach, and helping share the franchising story.

Logan was selected because he epitomizes the spirit for the William Rosenberg Foundation Leadership Award, as a leader and role model for service to franchising, the IFA and the IFA Foundation. He has been a tireless advocate for veterans in franchising through his work with the VetFran program and his commitment to advancing veterans causes. He has established his business, Sport Clips, to nurture a talent pipeline of veterans, helping veterans realize the entrepreneurial and career opportunities franchising provides. Logan is also involved in other philanthropic work and the local community in support of veterans.

The full award criteria is available here.

A recent IFA study showed that franchising helped lead U.S. economic recovery in 2021, with exceptional job and business growth across all franchising sectors. These individuals are leaders in the sector, which are on average provides higher wages, better benefits, and more leave than non-franchised businesses, as well as greater opportunities to underserved communities and aspiring entrepreneurs, according to Oxford Economics research.

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About the International Franchise Association:

Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the approximately 775,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.2 million direct jobs, $787.7 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.