LAS VEGAS – The International Franchise Association (IFA) has named Jack Brendamour and Judy McCreary, owner of five Junk King locations across Ohio and Kentucky, as the 2023 Franchisee of the Year. Brendamour and McCreary were honored at the 63rd IFA Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, for being outstanding franchise establishment owner-operators.

“This award really belongs to Pete McCreary. He was a long-time mentor of mine and has played a major role in getting us to where we are today. Pete taught me and everyone else he brought onto the team to lead with compassion. And, we’ve remained dedicated to carrying on his passion for making a positive impact on our environment by expanding our non-profit partnerships and enhancing our recycling centers,” said Brendamour. “My husband would always do what was best for the greater good. We have built upon Pete’s foundation and look forward to continuing to do so in the future. It’s an honor to have our hard work from the past 12 years recognized in this way,” added McCreary.

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 Jack and Judy exemplify the power of franchising and its positive contributions to communities around the world.” 

Pete McCreary, Judy’s husband, was the original founder of Junk King Cincinnati nearly 12 years ago. McCreary was a man of integrity and led a mentorship centered culture. Brendamour, who joined the team in 2015, was one of the many individuals that McCreary took under his wing helping to work him up from General Manager to Chief Operating Officer in two years. After McCreary’s unfortunate passing in 2018, Brendamour stepped in as CEO and co-owner in partnership with Judy. The duo carries on Pete’s legacy by keeping his core values alive and building upon his integrity driven vision. They’ve dedicated themselves to recycling up to 100% of the junk their crews haul by partnering with more than 50 local non-profits as well as expanded their reign to four additional locations to help more people declutter responsibly. A decal of Pete is on the back of every truck and dumpster so he can remain a part of every job forever. 

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 Junk King, please visit franchising.junk-king.com/.

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 Junk King 

Founded in 2005, Junk King was started by two friends in a two-car garage in San Carlos, California. In 2010, the company began franchising. Now, it is a part of Neighborly®, the world’s largest home services company, and is the second largest junk removal company in North America with more than 170 locations, $100 million in annual revenue and nearly 600-plus trucks on the road. Junk King saves consumers time and money by eliminating unwanted clutter quickly and efficiently as well as being best known for its professionalism, advanced technology programs and commitment to recycling, repurposing and reusing materials. 

For more information about Junk King, please visit www.junk-king.com/. To inquire about franchise opportunities, visit www.junk-king.com/franchising/.

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