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.
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
Full list of past recipients
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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.
The IFA Women’s Leadership Award, founded in honor of Bonny LeVine, 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.
The Ronald E. Harrison Diversity 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.
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.
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.
IFA’s Franchisee of the Year Award is an honor created to recognize outstanding IFA member-company franchise owners. This one-of-a-kind award for franchisees garners national attention and showcases the positive opportunity and impact of franchising in communities across the country.
Award recipients exemplify the very best of franchising. They are involved in the community, embody the entrepreneurial spirit, foster a strong and healthy culture with their workforce, and assist their fellow franchisees when called upon. Recipients will be recognized at the IFA26 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. Sept. 14-16.
This year, IFA is proud to introduce a new recognition that builds on the Franchisee of the Year program: The Franchisee Cornerstone Award.
Selected from among all Franchisee of the Year recipients, the Franchisee Cornerstone Award recognizes the one franchisee whose impact reaches beyond their four walls—a person who is not only an exceptional operator and brand ambassador, but a pillar of their community.
One Franchisee Cornerstone Award will be presented annually. The recipient is selected by a judging panel from a pool of qualifying Franchisee of the Year nominees whose brands have completed the optional Franchisee Cornerstone application.