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.
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.
Evaluation Criteria
The recipient should possess the following qualities:
A. Must be actively involved in managing and/or operating the business for a franchisor, franchisee, or supplier.
B. Must demonstrate highly skilled and innovative management skills with a keen business acumen.
C. Should be a “risk taker” in the conventional sense of being an entrepreneur.
D. Must operate a business which has been in operation for at least three continuous years, is still in its growth phase, yet is a financially sound, reliable business that has sufficient critical mass to endure over a reasonable period of years.
E. Their work has contributed to the betterment of franchising.
F. Should demonstrate a history of community involvement that goes beyond commercial concerns.
G. The Entrepreneur of the Year should be a consummate promoter of the franchise business model and willing to answer the call to work with IFA to protect, enhance, and promote franchising.
Nominations close July 1st, 2026.
The recipient should possess the following qualities:
A. Must be actively involved in managing and/or operating the business for a franchisor, franchisee, or supplier.
B. Must demonstrate highly skilled and innovative management skills with a keen business acumen.
C. Should be a “risk taker” in the conventional sense of being an entrepreneur.
D. Must operate a business which has been in operation for at least three continuous years, is still in its growth phase, yet is a financially sound, reliable business that has sufficient critical mass to endure over a reasonable period of years.
E. Their work has contributed to the betterment of franchising.
F. Should demonstrate a history of community involvement that goes beyond commercial concerns.
G. The Entrepreneur of the Year should be a consummate promoter of the franchise business model and willing to answer the call to work with IFA to protect, enhance, and promote franchising.
Nominations close July 1st, 2026.