Past IFA Major Award Winners

IFA Past Award Winners:

The IFA major awards are intended to identify and recognize publicly those individuals who have contributed most to making franchising the acknowledged leader in distribution methods. By publicizing the accomplishments of those pioneers who introduced many new innovations while developing successful systems, it was hoped a new generation of leaders would be inspired to reach those same high levels of accomplishment. Below please find a list of past winners for the four major awards.

HALL OF FAME AWARD
IFA first introduced an Awards Program when it established the Hall of Fame Award in 1979. As the Association's oldest and most prestigious honor, it is conferred upon legendary franchisors who are pioneers in franchising and/or founders of companies whose unassailable track records are examples of the best in franchising. This award was intended to identify and recognize publicly those individuals who, as franchisors, had contributed most to making franchising the acknowledged leader in distribution methods. By publicizing the accomplishments of those pioneers who introduced many new innovations while developing successful systems, it was hoped a new generation of leaders would be inspired to reach those same high levels of accomplishment.

2023 Catherine Monson, Propelled Brands
2022 Neal Aronson, Roark Capital Group
2021 Dina Dwyer-Owens, CFE, Neighborly
2020 Jerry Crawford, CFE, Jani-King International, Inc.
2019 Gordon Logan, Sport Clips
2018 Steve Romaniello, Roark Capital Group
2017 Tariq Farid, Edible Arrangements
2016 Russ Frith, Lawn Doctor
2015 Mike and Marian Ilitch, Little Caesars
2014 Steve Siegel, Brookside Consulting
2013 Thomas S. Monaghan, Domino's Pizza
2013 James H. Maynard, Golden Corral
2013 Conrad N. Hilton, Hilton Hotels
2013 Anthony A. Martino, MAACO
2013 John Willard Marriott, Marriott Corporation
2012 Sid Feltenstein, IFA Past Chairman
2011 Jim Amos, Tasti D-Lite
2010 Lawrence “DOC” Cohen, Cookie Associates, Ltd.
2009 Robert Funk, CFE Express Employment Professionals
2008 James Bugg, Sr., CFE INTERIORS by Decorating Den
2007 U. Gary Charlwood, CFE Charlwood Pacific Group
2006 Don Dwyer, Sr. The Dwyer Group
2005 David and Gail Liniger Re/Max International
2004 Frederick DeLuca, CFE Subway
2003 Ralph Wieger, CFE Midas Muffler
2002 Irl H. Marshall, CFE Duraclean International
2001 Bruce C. Cotton, CFE Jerrico, Inc.
2000 Lloyd T. Tarbutton, CFE Econo Lodge International
1999 Joseph & Florence Francis The Barbers
1998 Robert Rosenberg, CFE Dunkin’ Donuts, Inc.
1997 C. Stephen Lyyn, CFE Shoney’s, Inc.
1996 James W. McLamore Burger King Corp.
1996 Nate H. Sherman Midas International Corp.
1995 E. Jan Hartmann, CFE Ziebart International Corp.
1994 F.C. “Bud” Hadfield Kwik Kopy Corp.
1993 David Thomas Wendy’s International
1992 Bill & Bonny LeVine, CFE Postal Instant Press
1991 Frank Carney, CFE Pizza Hut, Inc.
1990 Marion Wade ServiceMaster
1989 Kemmons Wilson Holiday Inns, Inc.
1988 Irvine Robbins Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream
1987 Arthur Bartlett Century 21 Real Estate Corp.
1986 Ray Kroc McDonald’s Corp.
1986 Col. Harland Sanders KFC Corp.
1986 Palmer Waslien Southland Corp.
1986 Seiichi Suzuki Duskin Co., Ltd.
1985 Warren Rosenthal Jerrico Inc.
1984 Elmer Winter Manpower Inc.
1983 Ray Burch Schwinn Bicycle Co.
1982 Bernard Browning, CFE General Business Services
1981 Henry Block H&R Block Inc.
1980 A.L. Tunick Chicken Delight
1979 William Rosenburg, CFE Dunkin’ Donuts, Inc.

BONNY LEVINE AWARD
In 1994, the Bonny LeVine Award was established in memory of Bonny LeVine, co-founder of PIP Printing, in recognition of her outstanding accomplishments in franchising and of her status as a role model for women in the franchise community. The recipient may be a woman whose role as a franchisor, franchisee or supplier meets the established criteria.

2023 Tamra Kennedy, Twin City TJS Inc. (Taco John’s)
2022 Sherri Fishman, Fishman Public Relations
2021 Dena Tripp, Nothing Bundt Cakes
2020 Shannon Wilburn, CFE, Just Between Friends
2019 Amy Cheng, Cheng Cohen, LLC
2018 Jania Bailey, FranNet
2017 Jo Kirchner, Primrose Schools
2016 Rhoda Olsen, Great Clips
2015 Therese Thilgen, Franchise Update Media Group
2014 Yoshino Nakajima, Home Instead Senior Care
2013 Barbara Moran-Goodrich, Moran Family of Brands
2012 Mary Kennedy Thompson, Mr. Rooter
2011 Susan Black-Beth, Super Wash, Inc.
2010 Lynette Mckee, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc.
2009 Melanie Bergeron, CFE Two Men And A Truck Intl.
2008 Catherine Monson, FASTSIGNS International, Inc.
2007 Jeanne Kennedy Meineke
2006 Mary Rogers Abrakadoodle
2005 Joyce Mazero, Haynes & Boone Franchise & Distribution Group
2004 Nikki Sells, CFE, Express Personnel
2003 Terrian Barnes, YUM! Brands, Inc.
2002 Lorrie Rennick, CFE American Leak Detection
2001 Dina Dwyer-Owens, CFE The Dwyer Group
2001 Martha Matilda Harper Harper Hairdressing Salons
2000 Margaret McEntire Candy Bouquet International
1999 Arleen Goodman KOA
1998 Linda Burzynski, CFE Molly Maid, Inc.
1997 Jackie Trujillo, CFE Harman Management Corp.
1996 Hala Moddelmog Church’s Chicken
1995 Regina Gardner Uniglobe Travel, Inc.
1994 JoAnne Shaw, CFE The Coffee Beanery, Ltd

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD
In 1982, added the Entrepreneur of the Year award to the Awards Program. The Entrepreneur of the Year Award was established to recognize an individual while he or she was in the process of building a successful business venture. Franchisors, franchisees and suppliers are all eligible for this award. They must exemplify the "entrepreneurial spirit" that franchising represents.

2023 Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman, College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving
2022 Jo Kirchner, Primrose Schools
2021 David Barr, Franworth
2020 Scott Svenson & Ally Svenson, MOD Pizza
2019 Chuck Runyon & Dave Mortensen, Self Esteem Brands
2018 David Long, Orangetheory Fitness
2017 Eileen Huntington, Huntington Learning Center
2016 Gordon Logan, Sport Clips
2015 Guillermo Perales, Sun Holdings
2014 Aslam Khan, Falcon Holdings
2013 Scott Hillstrom, HealthStore Foundation
2012 Peter Cancro, Jersey Mikes Subs
2011 John Rotche, BELFOR Franchise Group
2010 Margaret McClain McEntire, Candy Bouquet International, Inc.
2009 Shelly Sun, CFE BrightStar Franchising LLC
2008 Tariq Farid Edible Arrangements
2007 Brian Scudamore 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
2006 Paul Hogan Home Instead Senior Care
2005 John Hewitt Liberty Tax Service
2004 Mary Ellen Sheets Two Men And A Truck Intl.
2003 Russ Umphenour RTM Restaurant Group (Arby’s)
2002 Steven J. Greenbaum, CFE PostNet International
2001 David McKinnon Service Brands International
2000 Sidney Feltenstein Yorkshire Restaurants
1999 Robert A. Funk, CFE Express Personnel Services
1998 Frank J. Belatti AFC Enterprises
1997 Richard Rennick, CFE American Leak Detection
1996 Anthony W. DeSio Mail Boxes, Etc.
1995 Abe Gustin, Jr. Applebee’s International, Inc.
1994 Julie & Bill Brice The Brice Group
1993 Shigehuru Komai Duskin Co., Ltd.
1992 Joseph Francis, Sr. The Barbers
1991 U. Gary Charlwood, CFE Uniglobe Travel International Limited Partnership
1990 Anthony Martino, CFE MAACO Enterprises
1989 Al Copeland Popeyes Chicken
1988 Fred DeLuca, CFE Subway
1987 W. J. Hindman Jiffy Lube International Inc.
1986 Thomas Monaghan Domino’s Pizza, Inc.
1985 John Brown, Jr. KFC Corp.
1984 J. Willard Marriott Marriott Corp.
1983 Frank Carney, CFE Pizza Hut, Inc.
1982 Kemmons Wilson Holiday Inns, Inc.

RONALD E. HARRISON AWARD
In 2004, the Ronald E. Harrison Award was designed to recognize organizations and/or individuals who have made significant contributions to minorities in franchising either within their franchise organization or within the franchise community. This award is open to any organization and/or individual from an IFA member company, past or present, whether franchisor, franchisee or supplier.

2023 Paul Pickett, Wild Birds Unlimited
2022 Richard Snow, WSFS Bank
2021 Wanda Williams, Yum! Brands Inc.
2020 PepsiCo
2019 Daniel Halpern, Jackmont Hospitality
2018 Earsa Jackson, Clark Hill Strasburger
2017 Ali Nekumanesh, Deli Delicious
2016 Ferenz Feher, Feher & Feher
2015 Rick Davidson, Century 21 Real Estate
2014 Rafael Alvarez, ATAX Franchise, Inc.
2013 John C. Draper, V&J Holdings Companies, Inc.
2012 Yum! Brands
2011 Aslam Khan, Falcon Holdings
2010 Stan Friedman, FranConnect
2009 Steve Romaniello, CFE` Roark Capital Group
2008 Linda Alvarado Palo Alto, Inc.
2007 Gerald Fernandez Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance
2006 Patricia Harris McDonald’s Corp.
2005 Marriott International
2004 Ronald E. Harrison, CFE PepsiCo

IFA FOUNDATION WILLIAM ROSENBERG LEADERSHIP AWARD
In the 1980s, William Rosenberg took his love for franchising and the IFA further by helping to establish IFA's Educational Foundation, which now helps thousands in franchising to learn about the franchise business model. To honor Rosenberg, IFA's Foundation has offered the William Rosenberg Leadership Award to many franchise leaders. The award is given annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to franchise education, and to the IFA Foundation through research, teaching, fundraising or other activities or service.

2023 Tony Valle, Clear Summit Group (CSG)
2023 Mary Kennedy Thompson, Neighborly
2022 Gordon Logan, Sport Clips
2021 Jerry Crawford, Jani-King International
2020 David McKinnon, CFE, Radiance Holdings
2019 Michael Isakson, CFE, Insight to Execution
2018 Steve Romaniello, CFE, Roark Capital Group
2017 John Reynolds, CFE, International Franchise Association
2016 Lawrence "Doc" Cohen, CFE, Doc & Associates
2015 Dennis Wieczorek, DLA Piper LLP (US)
2014 Jim Squire, CFE, Franchise Marketing Advisors
2013 Philip Zeidman, DLA Piper LLP (US)
2012 Michael Roman, CFE, ExxonMobil Corporation
2011 Leonard Swartz, CFE, iFranchise Group
2010 Ron Harrison, CFE, RE/MAX, LLC
2009 Irl Marshall, CFE, Franchise Consulting Services
2008 Dick Rennick, CFE, ZeeHunter
2007 Sidney Feltenstein, Sagittarius Consultants
2006 Russell Frith, CFE, Lawn Doctor, Inc.
2005 Kathryn Morgan, CFE, IFA Foundation
2004 Lewis Rudnick, DLA Piper LLP (US)
2003 Eugene Getchell, CFE, International Franchise Association
2002 William Cherkasky, CFE
2001 Arthur Karp, Great American Chocolate Chip Cookie Company