LAS VEGAS – The International Franchise Association (IFA) has named Helen Martin, owner of 22 Stretch Zone studios across the U.S., as a 2023 Franchisee of the Year. Martin was honored at the 63rd IFA Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, for being an outstanding franchise establishment owner-operator.

“I am extremely honored to be recognized for growing a brand I am so passionate about. Serving multiple communities and showing them what Stretch Zone has to offer, from our certified practitioners to our patented strapping system, has been so rewarding since first joining the brand almost 10 years ago,” said Martin. “Being an active member in Stretch Zone’s franchise family has only influenced my desire to help other franchisees within the system, and I can’t wait for what’s ahead for the brand that’s backed by such inspiring individuals.”

The Franchisee of the Year Award, sponsored by IFA’s partner Paychex, recognizes leading franchise owners from IFA member brands whose outstanding performance and contributions help protect, enhance, and promote the franchise business model. Nominated by their parent company, individuals are selected for their service to their communities, fostering a strong and vibrant workforce, opening the doors for career growth and entrepreneurship, and supporting their fellow franchisees. 

“Franchisee of the Year recipients represent the best in franchising,” said Matthew Haller, president and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “This is the highest honor IFA awards to individual franchisees, and local business owners like Helen exemplify the power of franchising and its positive contributions to communities around the world.” 

After spending nearly a decade with the brand, Helen has secured her space as one of the strongest franchise owners within the Stretch Zone franchise system and fitness industry. Helen owns and operates 22 locations to assist people in need of mobility assistance while also managing 15 additional locations to ensure the success of her fellow franchisees. The impact she has made has proven that she is a vital member of the Stretch Zone team and a leader within the franchise industry. 

There are approximately 800,000 franchised businesses across the U.S., providing over 8.4 million direct jobs and generating over $800 billion in economic output. According to Oxford Economics, franchising on average provides higher wages and better benefits than non-franchised businesses, as well as greater entrepreneurial opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, and other underrepresented communities.  

For more information on how to franchise with Stretch Zone, please visit stretchzone.com/franchise.

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 790,492 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.4 million direct jobs, $825.4 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.

About Stretch Zone

Stretch Zone is the leading franchised stretching concept that offers proprietary, practitioner-assisted stretching sessions to help clients achieve enhanced quality of life. It was founded by Jorden Gold in 2004 after seeing first-hand the benefits assisted stretching brought to his grandfather. With a steady cadence of location openings, Stretch Zone recently achieved its 257 location milestone. The brand has now set a goal to reach 300 locations in Q2 of 2023. As a pioneer within the health and wellness space, Stretch Zone uses its patented Stretch Zone Stabilization System to aid in increased mobility and muscle function. The system enables clients to accomplish Flex-ability for Life® with processes to train muscles to move with a greater range of motion, allowing for an easier golf swing or comfortable night’s rest. Clients are welcomed into Stretch Zone by nationally accredited practitioners, a relaxing atmosphere and secure equipment. 

For more information about Stretch Zone, visit www.stretchzone.com.

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