Franchisee of the Year Award Nominations

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. It is your time to recognize the outstanding leadership, dedication, and service present in your franchise network. 

Recipients will be honored at the 2026 IFA Advocacy Summit held September 14-16, 2026 in Washington, DC. 

Only ONE franchisee can be nominated per system. Nominations will be accepted from current IFA members, and only franchisees of IFA member companies will be considered.

New This Year – The Franchisee Cornerstone Award

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.

Please Note: The Franchisee Cornerstone Award nomination is optional. Brands are not required to apply. Completing the Franchisee Cornerstone application does not affect a franchisee's Franchisee of the Year nomination in any way. It is simply an opportunity for brands who believe their nominee has a truly exceptional community story to share it with IFA’s judges.

Nominations are open through July 10, 2026.

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