IFA Awards
IFA honors franchising’s pioneers and innovators for their trailblazing leadership, community contribution, and entrepreneurial spirit with the most prestigious awards in franchising. By recognizing the extraordinary work of franchise leaders today, we can inspire a new generation to reach the same high levels of accomplishment.
Nominations are now open for the IFA Major Awards! Nominate your friends, your clients, or someone in your franchise network by July 6, 2025.
Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame Award is the oldest and most prestigious recognition conferred by IFA, recognizing a franchisor or franchisee who has contributed significantly to the advancement of the franchise business model and to the benefit of the IFA mission. The honoree has been a lifelong leader and is often viewed as a legend in franchising.
Eligibility
Any IFA Member (a) in a senior management role with a franchisor, or (b) a franchisee, past or present, is eligible. Typically, they will be founders and chief executive officers or franchisees who displayed the innovative vision and implemented successful programs that resulted in developing a franchise system at either the franchisor or franchisee level. Any individual in senior management who had the authority and decision-making capability responsible to make a franchising system outstanding will be considered.
Past Honorees
- 2024 – Patrick Doyle, Restaurant Brands International
- 2023 – Catherine Monson, CFE, Propelled Brands
- 2022 – Neal Aronson, Roark Capital Group
Full list of past recipients Nominate Today
Entrepreneur of the Year
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award honors a founder or franchising executive who has successfully built or grown a business in the franchise sector – exemplifying the “entrepreneurial spirit” that franchising represents. The honoree is a franchisor, franchisee, or supplier who is currently managing and building a successful business and demonstrates a willingness to undertake the risk associated with developing and growing a new franchise business. Their contributions have not only grown a successful business but also helped shape the future of franchising, inspiring other entrepreneurs in their endeavors.
Eligibility
This award is open to all IFA members – franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers. They must exemplify the “entrepreneurial spirit” that franchising represents. The Entrepreneur of the Year should be a consummate promoter of the franchise business model and willing to work with the Association to protect, enhance, and promote franchising when called up.
Past Honorees
- 2024 – Richard Weissman, The Learning Experience
- 2023 – Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman, College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving
- 2022 – Jo Kirchner, Primrose Schools
Full list of past recipients Nominate Today
Bonny LeVine Award
The Bonny LeVine Award recognizes the importance of mentorship in the franchising sector, designed to recognize women leaders who have placed an intentional focus on growing and mentoring future leaders. The honoree is a franchisor, franchisee, or supplier and a proven role model who gives back to the franchising community, builds pathways to opportunity for others, and effectively uses IFA and independent platforms and programs to connect and inspire others.
Eligibility
Any woman involved in franchising, whether as a franchisor, franchisee or supplier is eligible for this award. The nominee must be a member of IFA and actively participate in IFA programs to invest in others and grow the franchise business model.
Past Honorees
- 2024 – Dawn Kane, Hot Dish Advertising
- 2023 – Tamra Kennedy, Twin City TJS Inc. (Taco John’s)
- 2022 – Sherri Fishman, CFE, Fishman Public Relations
Full list of past recipients Nominate Today
Ronald E. Harrison Award
The Ronald E. Harrison Award recognizes an organization or individual with a demonstrated, tangible commitment to increasing diversity in franchising and expanding opportunities for people from all walks of life. The honoree is a franchisor, franchisee, or supplier with active programs to educate, engage, or recruit members of traditionally underserved communities into the franchising community. Their work has served the betterment of the franchise business model and will continue to impact future generations.
Eligibility
This award is open to any organization and/or individual from an IFA member company whether franchisor, franchisee, or supplier.
Past Honorees
- 2024 – Javier Solis, CFE, Toro Taxes Franchise
- 2023 – Paul Pickett, CFE, Wild Birds Unlimited
- 2022 – Richard Snow, Bremer Bank, National Association
Full list of past recipients Nominate Today
William Rosenberg Foundation Leadership Award
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 and outreach, helping share the franchising story. This person has also made a significant contribution to the IFA Foundation through research, teaching, fundraising or other activities or service.
Past Honorees
- 2024 – Dan Monaghan, CFE, Clear Summit Group
- 2023 – Tony Valle, CFE, Clear Summit Group
- 2022 – Mark Kennedy Thompson, CFE, BNI Global
Full list of past recipients Nominate Today
IFA Emerging Franchisor Award
The goal for this award is to identify emerging franchisors who are running excellent franchises and whose leadership highlights the impact that franchising has on local communities around the country.
This award is given at the IFA Emerging Franchisor Conference, Nov. 10-12, 2025 in Nashville, TN.
Past Honorees
- 2024 Celebree School
