The International Franchise Association’s Major Awards Recognize Outstanding and Enduring Contributions to Franchising
The International Franchise Association has named this year’s recipients of the IFA Major Awards in recognition of their outstanding and enduring contributions to franchising. The awards will be presented at the IFA Annual Convention, Feb. 23-25 in Las Vegas.
“The IFA Major Awards are the pinnacle of achievement in franchising, given to those individuals whose vision and dedication will have a lasting impact on the business model,” IFA President and CEO Matt Haller said. “These honorees have not only excelled in business, but they’ve also shown their commitment to supporting others and helping secure a brighter future for franchising that will benefit generations far into the future.”
IFA Major Awards Recipients
Hall of Fame Award
Greg Flynn, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Flynn Group LP
Greg Flynn was an operator and developer of Applebee’s restaurants in Washington State when he founded Flynn Group in 1999. Since then, Flynn Group has become the largest franchise operator in the world with more than 2,900 restaurants and fitness centers including Applebee’s, Taco Bell, Panera, Arby’s, Pizza Hut, Wendy’s and Planet Fitness. He also is the franchise principal of some 100 Marriott- and Hilton-branded select service and extended stay hotels.
In its announcement, the IFA credited Flynn’s pioneering approach, including championing a people-centric, multi-brand, multi-state growth model that has “reshaped modern franchising and demonstrated the unlimited growth potential for franchise operators.”
Flynn Group has expanded to operate in 44 states and three international markets, employing more than 78,000 people and generating over $5 billion in annual sales.
A respected advocate for franchise owners, Flynn has promoted policies that strengthen local businesses and advance the betterment of the franchise business model.
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 is a lifelong leader often viewed as a legend in franchising.
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Len Fischer, Founder and Chairman of the Board, Benetrends
As founder of Benetrends, the oldest and largest funding provider in the franchise space, Len Fischer pioneered the groundbreaking Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS), a funding strategy that has enabled countless entrepreneurs to build success as franchise owners. The ROBS financial structure allows entrepreneurs to use their qualified retirement funds to start or purchase a business, tax-deferred and penalty-free.
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’s contributions have also helped shape the future of franchising, inspiring other entrepreneurs in their endeavors.
The IFA Women’s Leadership Award
Emma Dickison, CEO and President, Home Helpers Home Care
Emma Dickison got her start in franchising in 1990 with what then was a small, but rapidly growing Blockbuster franchise. She ultimately served as the brand’s national director of franchise operations. “I fell in love with franchising,” she told Entrepreneur magazine. “Franchising provides the network and support independent business owners often lack.”
Dickison became a strong advocate for the franchise model — and for women, whom she has mentored and helped in building successful careers. As CEO and president of Home Helpers Home Care since 2007, Dickison leads a network comprised of more than 62% women-owned franchises. She led Home Helpers to become the first senior care franchise to partner with the Military Spouse Employment Program, expanding career and ownership opportunities for military families. Dickison also co-founded the IFA’s Women’s Franchise Network, Southwest Ohio chapter, which now includes more than 600 women.
The IFA Women’s Leadership Award, in honor of Bonny LeVine, the first woman named to the IFA Board, recognizes women leaders who have intentionally focused on growing and mentoring future leaders. The honoree 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.
Ronald E. Harrison Award
Omar and Raynya Simmons, Exaltare Capital Management
Omar Simmons, managing director of Exaltare Capital Management, and his wife, Raynya, understood what mentorship and resources could mean for aspiring entrepreneurs from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged communities.
Grateful for their own opportunities, including success with brands such as Uni K Wax, Planet Fitness, The Good Feet Stores and Urban Air, the couple sought to give back, helping launch the IFA Foundation’s Franchise Ascension Initiative in 2024. The Simmonses demonstrated their commitment by donating $250,000 in seed funding and raising more than $2 million to support the program designed to “narrow the wealth gap by catalyzing diversity in ownership in franchising.”
The couple’s inspiration for the accelerator came from a speech by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, a successful franchise investor, at the 2022 IFA Convention.
The Ronald E. Harrison Award recognizes an organization or individual with a demonstrated, tangible commitment to increasing diversity in franchising. The honoree’s active programs 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.
William Rosenberg Foundation Leadership Award
Jeffrey Kolton, Founder and Principal, Franchise Market Ventures LLC
Like any entrepreneurial venture, FRANdata began when someone — Jeffrey Kolton — recognized a need. Kolton, a practicing lawyer, saw a need for more reliable information about franchise systems. Thus began the work that resulted in his founding FRANdata more than 35 years ago.
Kolton’s efforts have been instrumental to the growth and quality of franchise education and research, helping pave the way for the efforts of the IFA Foundation as it is today. Kolton later founded Franchise Market Ventures LLC, leveraging his expertise in franchising, private equity financing and strategic expansion.
The William Rosenberg Foundation Leadership Award is presented each year to an individual who has made an impact on franchise education, outreach and helping share the franchising story. This award, named for the man whose vision and leadership led to the founding of the IFA, is intended to identify and publicly recognize those individuals who have contributed the most to making franchising the acknowledged leader in distribution methods.
Past and present award recipients will be recognized at the IFA Convention Feb. 23-25 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
