Len Fischer, Founder and Chairman of the Board, Benetrends Financial

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award is presented each year to an individual who exemplifies the “entrepreneurial spirit,” which is a key element of franchising. The 2025 recipient is Len Fischer, founder and chairman of the board, Benetrends Financial.

Len Fischer’s career has been defined by a belief that access to capital should not stand in the way of entrepreneurship. For more than four decades, he has worked to expand opportunity for aspiring business owners, reshaping how franchising is funded and opening doors for tens of thousands of entrepreneurs.

Fischer’s journey began with a realization that many qualified, capable individuals were sidelined by a system that limited how retirement funds could be used. Despite having experience, vision, and drive, prospective business owners often lacked access to startup capital without taking on early debt. Drawing on his background as an ERISA attorney, Fischer pioneered the Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS) funding strategy, creating a compliant, tax-advantaged way for entrepreneurs to invest their retirement funds into starting or purchasing a business.

At the time, the concept was unconventional and met with skepticism. It required years of education, advocacy, and persistence to gain acceptance across regulatory, lending, and franchising communities. Fischer remained steadfast, driven by his belief that responsible access to capital could change lives.

That belief has helped more than 30,000 entrepreneurs fund businesses through Benetrends, many of whom may not have otherwise had the opportunity to pursue ownership. Today, ROBS is a widely recognized funding solution across franchising, fundamentally expanding access to business ownership and reshaping how startups are financed.

For Fischer, the impact has always mattered more than the recognition. “To say I’m overwhelmed by this award would be an understatement,” he shared. “But the real success is knowing there are tens of thousands of people in business today who might not have been able to do so without this program.”

Those who work alongside him describe a leader deeply committed to both innovation and people. “Len has an unmatched ability to stay excited about entrepreneurship,” said Michael Minitelli, Chief Development Officer at Benetrends. “He believes in what he created and in the people it serves, and that passion is contagious.”

Rocco Fiorentino, President and CEO of Benetrends, echoed that sentiment. “Len never lets anyone give up on their dream,” Fiorentino said. “He’s one of the most visionary people I’ve ever met, and his impact on franchising is unmatched.”

Behind the scenes, Fischer’s wife and business partner, Cheryl Fischer, has been with him from the beginning, helping educate entrepreneurs and build Benetrends into a trusted leader in franchise funding. Together, they have demonstrated that belief, integrity, and persistence can build something lasting.

As the first supplier to receive the IFA Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Fischer’s recognition reflects not only a personal milestone, but the enduring influence of his work on franchising as a whole. His legacy is measured not just in innovation, but in the thousands of businesses, livelihoods, and dreams made possible along the way.