109 Entrepreneurs Recognized for Excellence in Franchise Ownership
At the 64th IFA Annual Convention in Phoenix last week, 109 franchise business owners were recognized as 2023 Franchisees of the Year. These award recipients represent IFA member brands across all industries from communities around the U.S. and across the globe.
“Franchisees of the Year exemplify what franchising is all about – providing opportunity, serving others, and fulfilling the American Dream,” said President and CEO Matt Haller. “We are proud to recognize these entrepreneurs with the highest honor IFA awards to individual franchisees, and we thank them for the work they do day in and day out to uplift their communities and all they serve.”
The Franchisee of the Year Award recognizes leading franchisees from IFA member brands whose contributions help protect, enhance, and promote the franchise business model. Recipients are nominated by their parent company and are selected on criteria including service to the community, fostering a strong and vibrant workforce, opening the doors for career growth and entrepreneurship, and more.
IFA data shows that there are approximately 806,000 franchised businesses across the U.S., providing over 8.7 million direct jobs and generating over $858 billion in economic output. According to Oxford Economics, franchising on average provides higher wages and better benefits than non-franchised businesses. Minorities, women, veterans, and other underrepresented communities also enjoy opportunities that franchising offers.
IFA Franchisees of the Year
The full list of recipients is below:
- Aaron Carpenter and Joanne Oh: Grand Welcome Bend and Central Oregon, Bend, OR
- Adam and Matt Saxton: The Saxton Group (McAlister’s Deli), Dallas, TX
- Angela Goodman: Eateries of Loudon, Inc., Ashburn, VA
- Anne and Matt Evers: Drybar, Houston, TX
- Austin Wighaman: BODY20 Bee Cave, Lakeaway, TX
- Azim F. Saju: Ark Hospitality Management and Development, Ocala, FL
- Bashnin Sherali: Ivy Kids of Alamo Ranch, San Antonio, TX
- Beth Dotson: Huntington Learning Center, Fairhope, AL
- Brandon Hudson and Damion Mason: H&M Pizza, LLC dba Marco’s Pizza, Midlothian, VA
- Brent Chapman: Window Hero Triad & Top Rail Fence Triad (HomeFront Brands), Whitsett, NC
- Brian Wick: One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Medina, OH
- Bruce and Sarah Seidel: Live Healthy Enterprises, Inc. (GNC), Fort Thomas, KY
- Bryan Frnka: Amazing Lash Studio, Austin, TX
- Candice and Brian Winterringer: Sonic, Flower Mound, TX
- Christopher Baker: Twin Coast Enterprises (Tropical Smoothie Café), Salem, NH
- Chris McJunkins: McJunkins Restaurant Group (Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux), Shreveport, LA
- Christopher Shimer: Ruby Food Company (Capriotti’s Sandwich Shops), Royersford, PA
- Christy and Jim Boswell: Scenthound, South Denver, Castle Pines, CO
- Chris Sikes: Handyman Connection of Wilmington, NC
- Craig Smith Family: Kitchen Tune Up, Williamsburg/Hampton Roads, Hayes, VA
- Dan Parlin: Budget Blinds of Durham, Cary, and North Raleigh, Durham, NC
- David Wagner: Bad Ass Coffee, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
- David and Lesly Lytle: Concrete Craft of Northern Indianapolis and Hamilton County, Carmel, IN
- David and Lorri Jones: BC Northwest (Big Chicken), Bothell, WA
- David Pawek and Chris Hordyk: Screenmobile of the North Bay, Santa Rosa, CA
- David Potts: A&L Insulation Operations (USA Insulation), Waterville, OH
- Denise Cross: The Goddard School of Reno, NV
- Dianne and Gabrielle Melillo: Season 2 Consign Central New Jersey, Colts Neck, NJ
- Don Ruggery, Jr. and Jay Ruggery: Spherion Staffing, Altoona, PA
- Ed Taliaferro: Rose City Pizza, LLC and Cascade Dining, LLC (Papa John’s), Bothell, WA
- Eli and Abby Power: Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Montrose, CA
- Eric Danver: Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, Medford, NJ
- Erik and Wendy Skaalerud: Big Blue Swim School, Centennial, CO
- Evan McIntosh: Green Home Solutions of Asheville, Mills River, NC
- Fernando and Kimberly Rosario: Flour Power Cooking Studios, Alpharetta, GA
- Fred, Debbie and Stephen Franchuk: Home Instead, Calgary, AB
- Gloriaellis Mattei and Sergio Pacheco: Zags Enterprises, Inc. (Nothing Bundt Cakes), Addison, Texas
- Hajira & Zubair Khan: Kiddie Academy of Fort Wayne and Southwest, Fort Wayne, IN
- Hicham El Abbassi and Isalmou Boussaa: DT NOVA LLC (District Taco), Falls Church, VA
- Jace Stickdorn and Annette Payne: Vitall Partners, LLC (Golden Corral), Beavercreek, OH
- Jacob Stump and Sarah Simpson: Artworks of Jacksonville, Inc. (KidzArt & Club Scientific), Jacksonville. FL
- Jake Kiser: CertaPro Painters of Athens/Gwinnett, Athens, GA
- Jason Edge: Junk King, Portland, OR
- Jason Kline and Cecilia Yi-Kline: School of Rock NorCal, Elk Grove, CA
- Jeff Baker: The Grounds Guys of Wichita, KS
- Jeffrey J. DeCoste: The Cleaning Authority – Brookfield, WI
- Jeremy and Jenny Smith: Mr. Electric of Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Norman, Tulsa, OK
- Jesse Keyser and Charles Keyser: Keyser Enterprises (Sport Clips, OxiFresh Carpet Cleaning, Ideal Image MedSpa), St. Louis, MO
- Jessica Hackney and Don Pingley: Hydrate IV Bar Highlands Ranch, CO
- Joe Sandoval: The Junkluggers of Orange County, CA and East Valley, Villa Park, CA
- John Carlson: Christian Brothers Automotive — North Scottsdale, Chandler, AZ
- John Duffy and Steve Howerton: City Wide Facility Solutions – Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, FL
- John Kim: Baskin’ Robbins, Japan
- John Villon and Nilo Quiroz: PuroClean of Central Southwest Houston, TX
- Jon Witmer and Mark Clapper: Re-Bath Lancaster and West Chester, Lancaster, PA
- José Morillo: Camp Bow Wow, Katy, Kemah and Cypress, Kitty, PA
- Joseph C. Erickson: Jimmy John’s, Decatur, IL
- Joseph E. Christie: A Place At Home – North Texas, Allen, TX
- Judi Tompkins: ATC Healthcare Services, Milledgeville GA
- Julie and Lance Turner: Express Employment Professionals, Fort Worth, TX
- K.C. Ryerson: Owl Be There of Frederick and Loudoun, Frederick, MD
- Karen Mora: Payroll Vault, Santa Barbara, CA
- Katie Edge: Renovation Sells, San Antonio, TX
- Kerry Sawyer: BE Infinite Inc. (Painting with a Twist), Noblesville, IN
- Kevin Schramm: LIME Painting of Boise, ID
- Kobad and Nancy Bogwadia: Mathnasium, Operated by Bugwadia Enterprise, LLC, San Jose, CA
- Larisa and Jeffrey Posner: Goldfish Swim School Livingston, Short Hills, NJ
- Lawrence Kourie: Dave’s Hot Chicken, San Diego, CA
- Marc Rogers: Rogers Restaurant Group (Fuzzy’s Taco Shop), Johnstown, CO
- Mark and Charlie Paretchan: First Light Home Care of Marin and Sonoma Counties, San Rafael, CA
- Matt and Tracy Moten: Floor Coverings International Cleveland/Akron, Stow, OH
- Matt Skellan: Bath Tune-Up Columbus North, Columbus, OH
- Michael Jania: The Lash Lounge, IL
- Michael and Ana Guasch: SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service
- Michelle Ginn: Stretch Zone, Encinitas, CA
- Mike Davis: Restorative Touch, Inc. (Elements Massage), multiple states
- Matt and Tracy Moten: Floor Coverings International Cleveland/Akron, Stow, OH
- Matt Skellan: Bath Tune-Up Columbus North, Columbus, OH
- Michael Jania: The Lash Lounge, Chicago, IL
- Michael and Ana Guasch: SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service, Modesto, CA
- Michelle Ginn: Stretch Zone, Encinitas, CA
- Mike Davis: Restorative Touch, Inc. (Elements Massage), Spokane, WA
- Nicholas Lambie: Ziebart of Morgantown, Morgantown, WV
- Noah Gross: Two Maids of Spokane, Spokane, WA
- Noah Witt: True North Restoration of SW Oregon, Roseburg, OR
- Patricia Miller: Wisdom Senior Care, Durham, NC
- Patrick and Erin Elgin: Sola Salons – Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN
- Paul A. Groshko: Spavia Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL
- Phillip Scotton: PRIMO Partners (Ben & Jerry’s), Atlanta, GA
- Rich Shepler: AlphaGraphics South Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
- Robert Branca: Branded Management Group (Dunkin’), Worcester, MA
- Robert Stapf: British Swim School Hudson Waterfront, NJ, Jersey City, NJ
- Robin Bray: Woodhouse Spas, Trophy Club, TX
- Rontario and Sheena Hicks: Pool Scouts of Huntsville
- Roz Mallet: Buffalo Wild Wings, Plano, TX
- Sai Hossain: Wetzel’s Pretzels, Glendale, CA
- Sanjiv Chand: Jasam Enterprises, LLC (Checkers), New York, NY
- Samantha Loy: Always Best Care Senior Services, Burlington, NC
- Sari Papazian: AdvantaClean of Norcross and Buford, Norcross, GA
- Sergio Angione: SRA Home Inspections (HouseMaster), Towaco, NJ
- Sergio Rodriguez: Aire Serv of the Coastal Bend, Rockport, TX
- SG Ellison: Diversified Restaurant Group (Arby’s), Sonoma, CA
- Shae and Barry Sims: Athletic Republic Park City & West Jordan, Park City, UT
- Shawna Hicks-Cranston: PostNet of Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, FL
- Stephanie O’Neill & Whitney Learie-Kellam: Foxy Box Laser & Wax Bars, Kamloops, Kamloops, British Columbia
- Susan Mendenhall: Mendenhall Restaurants LLC (IHOP), Pasco, WA
- Teresa Hatter: Radiant Waxing Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
- Tim Kurtz and Chris Taddonio: Alpha Management Group (Altitude Trampoline Park), Trophy Club, TX
- Tom and Sherri Tobin: Tobin Auto Services (Grease Monkey), Cibolo, TX
- Toni Gilbert: The Honey Baked Ham Company, Phoenix, AZ
- Tony Zack: Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach, SC, Conway, SC
- Travis and Kirsten Hibbert: Smoky Mountain Pizza (Donatos Pizza), Knoxville, TN
- Trey and Cindy Powell: Mosquito Joe of Lake Murray and Augusta, Lexington, SC
- Val Hill and Jared Lee: Lee Hill Investments (Sport Clips), Chandler, AZ
- Woodie Hippler: Any Lab Test Now, Louisville, KY
