Franchise Watchdog Announces 2009 Quality Franchising Awards

SAN DIEGO - A group that provides resources and support to tens of thousands of franchisee members and their independent associations, the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers announced today the recipients and nominees to its annual Total Quality Franchising awards. The award is given to what the association considers as the top leaders of good franchise practices for the year.

The notable honorees in 2009 include Curves International as AAFD’s Franchisor of the Year and franchise attorney Morton Aronson, who will receive a Lifetime Achievement. Curves is being awarded for its efforts in supporting its independent franchisee association. The system is not without its challenges. Curves franchisees in the past were able to pay back virtually all SBA-loans given them from 2001 and 2005. But as of last year in difficult economic times, 11% of loans dispersed from 2001 until 2008 have not been paid back. It is an indication that franchisees are increasingly struggling with profitability. That now places the fitness chain roughly in the middle compared to other fitness chains and franchise sectors.

Don Sniegowski, editor of Blue MauMau, and investigative reporter, Janet Sparks, who writes for such journals as Blue MauMau and Franchise Times, have been selected to receive the Total Quality Franchising Chairman’s Awards for Distinguished Service and Achievement in the Franchising Community.

The AAFD also announced the nominees for the 2009 Total Quality Franchising Awards. One in each category will receive the award at the Total Quality Franchising Awards Banquet on Thursday, April 30, 2009, during AAFD’s 17th Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

AAFD 2009 Total Quality Franchising nominees are:

Member of the Year:

• Geri-Jo Mann – Candy Bouquet
• Chris Schmitz – President, MDA and AAFD Board Member
• David Drewelow – Chair of 2009 AAFD Franchisee Leadership Summit and Annual Meeting (also chaired 2008 conference)
• Rich Whitley – Former executive director of Valpak Owners Association

Joni Lampl Trailblazer Award:

• Roy Laughlin – Cookie By Design
• Russ Byer – Jackson Hewitt
• Marguerite Mumford – Paul Davis
• Holly Rivera – Jenny Craig
• Ed Tubel – Sonny’s BBQ

Chapter of the Year:

• Meineke Franchisee Association
• MRIFA (Management Recruiters Franchisee Association)
• Master Coaches Association (ActionCOACH)
• Hardees Franchisee Association
• Jackson-Hewitt Tax Service

Rookie Chapter of the Year:

• Jenny Craig
• Cookies By Design
• Paul Davis Restoration
• Circuit Fitness Association (Curves Franchise Owners Association)

Supporting Member of the Year:

• PR Works
• SalesNexus
• Alberto Carvalho
• Mario Herman

In announcing the AAFD’s Total Quality Franchising Award Nominees, AAFD Chairman Robert Purvin said, “This year’s nominees are truly a worthy group, a tremendous amount of hard work, and high ethical standards are evident in the efforts of each nominee for this year’s TQF awards.”