International Franchise Association Names Franchisee of the Year Reci pients
Recognizes 57 individuals for being an outstanding owneroperator, exemplifying excellence in community, workforce, diversity, and veterans SAN DIEGO – The International Franchise Association (IFA) today announced 57 recipients of its Franchisee of the Year Awards, representing companies across all industries from communities around the country. Honored at IFA’s 62nd Annual Convention in San Diego, Calif., the award recognizes outstanding franchise establishment owner-operators. “Franchisee of the Year Awards are the highest honors presented to individual franchisees,” said Matthew Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association.
“These local business owners represent some of the best entrepreneurs in the country, and we are proud to recognize their contributions to their communities, their employees, and all those they serve.” The Franchisee of the Year Award, sponsored by IFA’s partner Paychex, recognizes leading franchisees who exemplify at least one of IFA’s “Open for Opportunity” core pillars: Community, Workforce, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Veterans. A recent IFA study showed that franchising helped lead U.S. economic recovery in 2021, with exceptional job and business growth across all franchising sectors.
The industry on average provides higher wages, better benefits, and more leave than non-franchised businesses, as well as greater opportunities to underserved communities and aspiring entrepreneurs, according to Oxford Economics research. Haller continued, “Franchising has led our nation’s economic recovery over the past year, and these entrepreneurs have played a tremendous role in the growth we have seen in the business model and all it has done for the individuals it supports. The future of franchising is bright, largely in thanks to hardworking entrepreneurs like those we are recognizing today.”
The full list of recipients is listed below: Franchisee Name
Franchisee Company Name
Parent Company Name
Al Bhakta, Nik Bhakta and Ron Parikh
CMG Companies
Multi-Unit, MultiBrand Owners
Alex Tyler
Goldfish Swim School of St. Charles & Glen Ellyn
Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC
Amy Strozier
Goldfish Swim School - Dayton
Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC
About the International Franchise Association: Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the approximately 775,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.2 million direct jobs, $787.7 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Reference Links Genghis Grill - Wikipedia Nick Bhakta - Best Western International Inc., Angleton, Texas Nik Bhakta - Principal - CMG Companies | ZoomInfo.co m Nik Bhakta - President, DM Inc