IFA Inducts First Franchisee into Hall of Fame
Lawrence "Doc" Cohen, a franchisee of 32 years, was inducted into the International Franchise Association's Hall of Fame at their 51st annual conference in Las Vegas in mid-February. Cohen, founder and CEO of Cookie Associates, a leading multi-unit franchise of the Great American Cookie Company, is the first franchisee in the IFA's Hall of Fame, which includes such franchising luminaries as Ray Kroc, Dave Thomas, Fred DeLuca and Col. Harland Sanders. Doc's company currently operates Great American Cookies, PretzelMaker, TCBY and Coffee Beanery franchises. He is a past chairman of the IFA, the second franchisee to hold that title.
Award for advancing franchising: According to the IFA, "The Hall of Fame Award is the oldest and most prestigious award conferred by the IFA and is presented to an IFA member who exemplifies the optimum in franchising and has made significant contributions to the advancement of franchising and the franchising community."
The downside: The IFA has been emphasizing for years that it represents both franchisors and franchisees, a move that gives it the appearance of being a credible advocate for the interests of the entire franchise industry: 780,000 franchisees as well as 3,500 franchisors. The voting power of the sheer number of franchisees strengthens the Association's image and position considerably when, say, lobbying lawmakers or taking a public position.
But the reality is that when franchisee and franchisor interests diverge, which they often do, the IFA's loyalty lies with franchisors, not franchisees.
Story sources: QSR Magazine, IFA
Related reading:
- The IFA's Strange Penchant for Tyrants, BMM
- BMM public comment thread on the IFA
- Cookie master, Franchise Times
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