WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 9, 2019)
It was a night full of happy hearts for the International Franchise Association. The Annual Franchising Gives Back Awards Dinner consisted of IFA members coming together to celebrate the presence these brands have in their communities. One winner in each of five categories - Spirit of Franchising, Newcomer, Enduring Impact, Support Our Veterans, Innovation and Impact - received the Gold distinction from the stage prior to the IFA’s Franchise Action Network initiative, where members visit their congressional leaders. Franchises also brought home silver awards in each category.
Sport Clips was recognized with a Gold Award in the Supporting our Veterans category for its support of the Aleethia Foundation, an organization that supports wounded/injured/ill service members in their rehabilitation and healing process. The organization was founded by Vietnam veteran, Hal Koster, and part of that healing process includes Friday night dinners, which offer a tiny break from the grueling demands of healing, physical therapy and acclimating to civilian life after a life-altering injury.
What started as a small group of people coming together at a steakhouse blossomed into something much bigger. Over the years, the program has provided more than 62,000 meals for wounded, injured and ill service members and their families, and Sport Clips has been a proud sponsor of many of those dinners.
Other winners at the Franchising Gives Back Awards Dinner include:
Newcomer Award
This award highlights a new charitable or community support program launched within the last year that has made a significant impact on a local community.
Silver Award: Premium Service Brands, benefiting Kids-Lift
Gold Award: Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC, benefiting USA Swimming Foundation
Enduring Impact Award
This award recognizes an IFA member with a longstanding commitment to his or her community that has been executing an outstanding charitable or community support program(s) for at least five (consecutive) years.
Silver Award: BMW Management, Inc. dba Sizzler, benefiting Student of the Month Program, Inc.
Gold Award: SONIC Drive-In, benefiting DonorsChoose.org
Support Our Veterans Award
This award recognizes a member whose charitable or community support program has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help those men and women who have served in the U.S. military and their families, and positively impacted their local community along the way.
Silver Award: Wag N' Wash, benefiting Freedom Service Dogs
Gold Award: Sport Clips, benefiting Aleethia Foundation
Innovation and Impact Award
This award recognizes an IFA member whose charitable or community support program focused on using creative, innovative ways to maximize the benefits and impact on their community with limited resources.
Silver Award: Wayback Burgers, benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Gold Award: Just Between Friends, benefiting Petaluma Active 20-30
Spirit of Franchising Award
This award recognizes an IFA member whose charitable or community support program embodies the spirit of what it means to be a part of the franchising industry by giving back to his or her local community.
Silver Award: Captain D’s, benefiting Food for Homeless
Gold Award: Rose Group dba Applebee’s Bar and Grill, benefiting Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation