IFA Awards Program

The International Franchise Association's Franchisee of the Year Award is an honor created to recognize outstanding IFA member-company franchise owners. These awards are presented at IFA's Annual Convention.

Franchisee of the Year nominees should embody one of the four pillars of IFA's Open for Opportunity Campaign – diversity, equity & inclusion, community, veterans, and the workforce.  

Entering is easy! All you need to do is submit a written statement or 1-minute video around how you or the nominee exemplifies this campaign. 

Any current IFA franchisor member can nominate a franchisee, or a franchisee can nominate themselves.

Please note, attendance at the IFA Annual Convention is a condition of winning this award and we will feature winners’ stories in a variety of ways. 

Nominations for the 2021 award cycle have now closed. If you have any questions, please reach out to Paul Calkins - pcalkins@franchise.org.

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. That contribution is made through successful franchising programs, innovative activities within franchising and service to the association. Such individuals if not already a legend in franchising should be expected to become one. Representing the very best in franchising they should meet and exceed the criteria established for this award.

Eligibility
Any IFA member (a) with 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 vision and implemented the programs that resulted in developing a franchise system at either the franchisor or franchisee level. Any senior management person who had the authority and made the decisions, which in turn made their franchise system outstanding, should be considered.

Nominations for the 2021 award cycle have now closed. Any questions? Contact IFA Vice President of Marketing and Communications Bill Meierling.

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. Candidates should be currently managing and building a successful business through franchising. If the person selected for this award is willing, they will "reign" for the following year and be on call for speaking engagements at IFA member conventions, give media interviews and work with association leaders to spread the word on franchising.

Eligibility
This award is open to all IFA members  - franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers. They must exemplify the "entrepreneurial spirit" that franchising represents.

Nominations for the 2021 award cycle have now closed. Any questions? Contact IFA Vice President of Marketing and Communications Bill Meierling.

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.

Eligibility
Any woman IFA Member involved in franchising, whether as a franchisor, franchisee or supplier is eligible for this award.

Nominations for the 2021 award cycle have now closed. Any questions? Contact IFA Vice President of Marketing and Communications Bill Meierling.

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.

Eligibility
This award is open to any organization or individual from an IFA Member company, past or present, whether franchisor, franchisee, or supplier.

Nominations for the 2021 award cycle have now closed. Any questions? Contact IFA Vice President of Marketing and Communications Bill Meierling.