Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame Award is the oldest and most prestigious recognition conferred by IFA, recognizing a franchisor or franchisee who has contributed significantly to the advancement of the franchise business model and to the benefit of the IFA mission. The honoree has been a lifelong leader and is often viewed as a legend in franchising.

Eligibility
Any IFA Member (a) in 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 innovative vision and implemented successful programs that resulted in developing a franchise system at either the franchisor or franchisee level. Any individual in senior management who had the authority and decision-making capability responsible to make a franchising system outstanding will be considered.

Past Honorees

• 2024 – Patrick Doyle, Restaurant Brands International
• 2023 – Catherine Monson, CFE, Propelled Brands
• 2022 – Neal Aronson, Roark Capital Group

Full list of past recipients

Entrepreneur of the Year

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.

Past Honorees

• 2024 – Richard Weissman, The Learning Experience
• 2023 – Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman, College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving
• 2022 – Jo Kirchner, Primrose Schools

Full list of past recipients

Bonny LeVine Award

The Bonny LeVine Award recognizes the importance of mentorship in the franchising sector, designed to recognize women leaders who have placed an intentional focus on growing and mentoring future leaders. The honoree is a franchisor, franchisee, or supplier and a proven role model who gives back to the franchising community, builds pathways to opportunity for others, and effectively uses IFA and independent platforms and programs to connect and inspire others.

Eligibility
Any woman involved in franchising, whether as a franchisor, franchisee or supplier is eligible for this award. The nominee must be a member of IFA and actively participate in IFA programs to invest in others and grow the franchise business model.

Past Honorees

• 2024 – Dawn Kane, Hot Dish Advertising
• 2023 – Tamra Kennedy, Twin City TJS Inc. (Taco John’s)
• 2022 – Sherri Fishman, CFE, Fishman Public Relations

Full list of past recipients

Ronald E. Harrison Award

The Ronald E. Harrison Award recognizes an organization or individual with a demonstrated, tangible commitment to increasing diversity in franchising. The honoree is a franchisor, franchisee, or supplier with active programs to educate, engage, or recruit members of traditionally underserved communities into the franchising community. Their work has served the betterment of the franchise business model and will continue to impact future generations.

Eligibility
This award is open to any organization and/or individual from an IFA member company whether franchisor, franchisee, or supplier.

Past Honorees

• 2024 – Javier Solis, CFE, Toro Taxes Franchise
• 2023 – Paul Pickett, CFE, Wild Birds Unlimited
• 2022 – Richard Snow, Bremer Bank, National Association

Full list of past recipients

William Rosenberg Foundation Leadership Award

Named in honor of the man whose vision and leadership led to the creation of the IFA Foundation, this award is presented each year to an individual who has made an impact on franchise education and outreach, helping share the franchising story. This person has also made a significant contribution to the IFA Foundation through research, teaching, fundraising or other activities or service.

Past Honorees

• 2024 – Dan Monaghan, CFE, Clear Summit Group
• 2023 – Tony Valle, CFE, Clear Summit Group
• 2022 – Mark Kennedy Thompson, CFE, BNI Global

Full list of past recipients

Franchisee of the Year

The Franchisee of the Year Award is an honor created to recognize outstanding IFA member-company franchise owners. 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. Recipients will be selected for their outstanding leadership, dedication, and service present in their franchise network.

Past Honorees

• 2024
• 2023
• 2022

Crystal Compass Award

The Crystal Compass is given by the Women’s Franchise Committee (WFC) to an individual who exemplifies leadership. It was established to recognize women and men who have made significant contributions through leadership within their franchise organization, the franchise community, or the community in which they live.

Past Honorees

• 2025 Robin Gagnon, CFE, We Sell Restaurants
• 2024 Debra Vilchis, Fishman PR
• 2023 Michelle Rowan, CFE, Franchise Business Review

Full list of past recipients

IFA Emerging Franchisor Award

The IFA Emerging Franchisor Award recognizes an emerging franchisor running an outstanding brand with less than ten years in franchising.  Applications are reviewed by the IFA Past Chairs Committee and evaluated against a range of criteria including closure rate, litigation and stability.

Past Honorees

• 2024 Celebree School