2000-plus Attendees Set New Ifa Annual Convention Record

Quality programming, an action-packed agenda, a famous keynote speaker, a fabulous resort property, awards ceremonies, debates and discussions, the Taste of Franchising�the list could go on and on, but among the reasons IFA’s 45th Annual Convention drew more attendees�2,074�and offered the largest exhibit hall�200 booths�of any event in the association’s history is the fact that the association’s membership has also broken all established records�1,010 franchise systems, more than 8,000 franchisees, 428 suppliers� and that rapidly-growing community is eager to upgrade their knowledge, sharpen their skills and rub elbows with their peers�not to mention party hearty into the wee hours.

A special note to those who waited a little too long before making reservations and couldn’t get rooms in the convention hotel or nearby, you might want to mark your calendars now and get a jump on IFA’s 46th Annual Convention, scheduled Feb. 25-28, 2006 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

Details will be available soon. Find them at www.franchise.org. ASSOCIATION NAMES NEW CHAIRMAN, DIRECTORS Dick Rennick CFE, founder and CEO of American Leak Detection, became IFA chairman during the association’s 45th annual convention in Hollywood, Fla. last week. Rennick, honored as the association’s 1997 Entrepreneur of the Year, has served on IFA’s board of directors since 1999. He was instrumental in creating the successful “Taste of Franchising,” which produced another blow-out, standing-room-only convention event this year.

The newly-elected members of the IFA board include Bill Anderson, president of Wave Services Corp., a UPS Store franchisee with locations in Philadelphia and central New Jersey; Lane Fisher, a partner in the franchise law firm Fisher & Zucker, with offices in Philadelphia, Cherry Hill, NJ and Brunswick, Ga.; Aslam Khan, president and CEO of Falcon Holdings in Oak Brook, Ill., which operates approximately 100 Church’s Chicken restaurants; William Kussel, chief operating officer of Dunkin’ Brands in Canton, Mass.; Ann M. Rosenberg, co-founder and CEO of Let’s Make Wine, Boca Raton, Fla.; Steve Rogers, president and CEO of The Franchise Co., Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada; Larry I. Tate, who has served previously on the IFA board, is the senior vice president for franchise sales at Golden Corral Buffet and Grill, Raleigh, NC; and Samuel H. Wright, senior vice president of government relations, Cendant Corp., which owns franchise brands including Ramada, Howard Johnson, Avis, Coldwell Banker and Century 21. Wright is a former chairman of the association’s Legislative Action Group. FRANCHISE COMMUNITY HONORS SECTOR’S PACE-SETTERS Super achievers within the franchise community were honored with the association’s highest awards during the recent IFA convention. Mary Ellen Sheets, founder and chief executive officer of Two Men And A Truck, was named Entrepreneur of the Year. In 1988, she franchised the company. Today there are 150 locations in 27 states. Sheets is a member of the IFA board of directors, the Franchisor Forum and Membership Committee.

Frederick A. DeLuca CFE, president and co-founder of Subway Restaurants, was named to the Hall of Fame. In 1965, “Pete’s Super Submarines” opened for business in Bridgeport, Conn. Today the chain includes more than 22,000 locations in 77 countries. DeLuca pursues a hands-on management, marketing and growth philosophy.

Ronald E. Harrison CFE, retired senior vice president of PepsiCo, was named the first recipient of the Diversity in Franchise award bestowed by IFA, which will be named in his honor. The award honors an organization or individual who has made significant contributions to minorities in franchising. Harrison served as chairman of the association in 1999 and chaired the association’s educational foundation from 1996 to 1998.

Nikki Sells CFE, received the association’s Bonny LeVine Award for her ongoing efforts to mentor women seeking careers in franchising. Sells is the vice president of franchising for Express Personnel Services. Sells was a founding member of the IFA Franchisee Advisory Council and served as chairperson in 1997. She also served on the association’s board of directors from 2000-2003.

Frank Flack, co-founder and former president of Molly Maid USA, is the recipient of the IFA Honorary Life Member award that recognizes individuals who have played a major role in the development of franchising and IFA. IFA HONORS FRANCHISEES OF THE YEAR Franchise small-business owners who have helped elevate their brands’ reputation and increase customer loyalty were honored by IFA during the recent annual convention. The 2004 IFA Franchisee of the Year Award presentations are made possible by a contribution from the PepsiCo Foodservice Division.

Franchisee of the Year Awards were presented to: @WORK Franchise Inc.’s David and Marty Luttrell dba @work Personnel Services, ACTION International’s Eric Dombach, Allegra Network’s Peter Ostlund dba Insty-Prints, American Leak Detection’s Debbie and Tom Pflug, Au Bon Pain’s George Zaczac Jr. dba ABP Caribbean Palm Beach, Inc., Big O Tires’ David M. Doyle, Border Magic’s Chris Volkamer, Cookies By Design’s Marilyn and Charles Arak, Coverall Cleaning Concepts’ Tom Gilliland dba Coverall Service Co., D�cor & You’s Sandra Hambley, Discovery Map International’s Thomas Callister dba Sedona Map Co., The Entrepreneur’s Source’s Don Shellist, Express Services’ Pam and Sam Higdon, ExxonMobil Corp.’s Patrick C. Gilligan dba Gilligan Oil Co., Fantastic Sams’ Richard and Laurie Upson, FASTSIGNS International Ann Marie and Al Hall, Fiducial Inc.’s Sam and Karen Smith, FOCUS Brands Inc.’s Hitesh K. Patel dba Carvel Ice Cream, Franchise Development Services’ Sary M. Hamway dba Franchise Development Services Middle East, Golden Corral Buffet & Grill’s Eric Holm dba Metro Corral Partners, Gotcha Covered Blinds’ Ken and Anne-Marie Poulin dba Poulin’s Gotcha Covered Blinds, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service’s Paul Reinhardt dba LFL Financial Services, Jani-King International’s Andres Bermudez dba Jani-King of Tampa Bay, Jet-Black International’s Gary and Louise Heidenreich dba Jet-Black World’s Most Beautiful Driveway, KidzArt’s Linda Shaw, Link Staffing Services’ Kevin Roberts, Meineke Car Care Centers’ Richard Wright Jr., The Melting Pot Restaurants’ Todd Dennis, Money Mailer’s Colleen Bagley dba Money Mailer of Grand Traverse, Moran Industries’ Willodean H. Bingham dba Mr. Transmission, OpenWorks’ Esaul Davila, PIP Printing’s Wendell Pennell dba PIP Printing & Document Services, PostalAnnex’s Steve and Vicki Collo, PostNet’s Wayne and Dee Hendricks, Precision Door Service’s Stanley and Kimberly Prosser, RFC Franchising’s John and Renee Dame dba Ritter’s Frozen Custard, Sir Speedy’s George Coriaty, The Sports Section’s Mitchell Ziffer, Tedeschi Food Shops’ Victor Fernandes, Two Men And A Truck’s Timothy Lightner, Valpak Direct Marketing Systems’ Bill Buczek dba Valpak of Southeast Michigan, and Wireless Toyz’s Sunil and Parag Rupani. FRANCHISE FOUNDATION GRADUATES LARGEST CLASS Nearly 60 franchise executives, the largest group of graduates to date, received the Certified Franchise Executive designation during IFA’s 45th annual convention. More than 350 candidates are currently enrolled in the CFE program. The program is conducted by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives, a division of the IFA Educational Foundation.

Those commissioned were 1-800-Water Damage’s Eric Little; Angiuli Katkin & Gentile’s Thomas A. Romano; Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation’s Samie Lim; Asiawide Franchise Consultants’ Albert Kong and Clarence Nah; Big O Tires’ John B. Adams; Blockbuster’s Michael R. Corey and Christopher Ezell; Buffalo Wild Wings’ David Eberle and Christopher Ramsey; ChevronTexaco’s Michael W. Goldsworthy; CM IT Solutions’ Linda L. Burzynski and Victor J. Burzynski; Jenny Craig’s Sharon B. Vickers; Discount Imaging’s Timothy S. Kerry; DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary’s Bret Lowell; Dunkin’ Brands’ Ralph F. Gabellieri, Janet Litton and David Stein; The Dwyer Group’s Mike Bidwell; The Entrepreneur’s Source Terry Powell and Lori Tyll; Express Personnel’s Nikki Sells; FOCUS Brands’ Geoff Hill and Steve Romaniello; Geeks on Call America’s Chelise Bowery, Walter J. Ewell and Timothy l. Holadia; Lawn Doctor’s Scott D. Frith; LearningRx’s Ken Gibson and Dean K. Tenpas; Money Mailer’s Bethany Swade Thomas; MotoPhoto’s Harry D. Loyle; Party City’s Mark Cohen and Mark A. Montoya; Planet Beach’s Mandy L. Bryant, Dena B. Durr, David Q. Mesa Jr. and Nancy M. Price; PuroSystems’ Charles Smith; Rainbow Station’s R. Earl Johnson; ServiceMaster’s David Messenger; Shoney’s Joseph P. Phraner Jr.; Smoothie King’s Michael C. Powers; Starbucks Coffee Co.’s Karen Satterlee; Two Men And A Truck’s Cindy Aycock, Keith Clark, Sally Degnan, Shirley Kefgen and Richard J. Oldejans; Uno Restaurant’s Randy M. Clifton; Valpak Direct Marketing Systems’ Mark Liston; Williams Fried Chicken’s Tim Williams; Tiffany W. Wyndham Dobbs; Froilan M. Manotok and Mita Spilo. LYNETTE MCKEE HONORED FOR LEADERSHIP Lynette McKee CFE, vice president of franchising for the Earl of Sandwich, was honored as the recipient of the Crystal Compass during the IFA 45th annual convention for her exceptional leadership. McKee has been active in IFA and the Women’s Franchise and Distribution Forum. She currently serves on the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives Board of Governors and IFA committees including Women’s Franchise Committee, Minorities in Franchising and the Convention Planning Task Force. She has also been active in the Multicultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance and the Women’s Foodservice Forum. KATHRYN MORGAN HONORED WITH THE WILLIAM ROSENBERG LEADERSHIP AWARD Kathryn Morgan CFE, special advisor to the IFA Educational Foundation received the William Rosenberg Leadership Award at the IFA’s 45th annual convention. The award recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions and provided leadership towards advancing the mission of the foundation. She was involved in the planning and execution of several studies and more recently, the “Economic Impact of Franchised Businesses” study, the first study to quantify the economic contribution of franchised businesses to the U.S. economy. Morgan’s contributions helped to formalize the foundation’s Certified Franchise Executive program. WILLIAM KRESSNER NAMED IRL MARSHALL CFE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT William Kressner, a franchise consultant for Buffalo Wild Wings International, received the Irl Marshall Certified Franchise Executive Scholarship Award during the IFA 45th annual convention. Kressner’s career in franchising spans 20 years. He has been responsible for franchise operations for a 200-store chain and supervised eight business consultants.

The CFE scholarship program was created to encourage and support outstanding candidates who are enrolled in the CFE professional development program. More than 350 franchise executives are currently enrolled. The scholarship provides $2,500 toward tuition expenses to the recipient, plus a complimentary registration to attend the IFA annual convention. IFA JOINS WHITE HOUSE SOCIAL SECURITY BRIEFING In February, IFA’s Government Relations staff attended a briefing for trade association officials on President Bush’s Social Security reform effort, perhaps the president’s top domestic agenda item. Leading the briefing was Karl Rove, the president’s deputy chief of staff and top political advisor, and Al Hubbard, assistant to the president and director of the National Economic Council.

The president is in the midst of making a series of public appearances on Social Security seeking to build public support for reform. A number of different ideas have been floated by the administration and others, with varying potential impact on business. Although the reform effort is in the early stages, IFA is closely monitoring the debate and the implications for franchising of the various proposals. ASSOCIATION REPRESENTED AT DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS’ ASSOCIATION At the invitation of IFA-member Cendant, Matt Lathrop, IFA’s director of government relations, attended the Feb. 28 Democratic Governors’ Association dinner in Washington, DC. This event gave IFA the opportunity to meet several Democratic governors including Iowa’s Tom Vilsack, Pennsylvania’s Ed Rendell, Montana’s Brian Schweitzer and New Mexico’s Governor and DGA Chairman Bill Richardson to discuss issues important to the franchising community. For more information about IFA’s state relations program, contact Lathrop at [email protected]. HEALTH CARE ISSUE HEATING UP IN THE STATES Since the beginning of the year, six states have begun considering legislation that would either mandate employer-paid health care or create a universal health-care system: California, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Vermont and Washington. The week of Feb. 17, Washington HB 1702, an employer-paid health-care mandate bill, was favorably reported out of the House Health Care Committee. Fourteen other states are considering legislation that would require employees receiving publicly-assisted health care to disclose who employs them. Many fear that these disclosures will be used to create momentum for universal or employer-paid health-care proposals in the future.

For a list of all of the bills that IFA is tracking, find it at www.franchise.org. For more information about IFA’s State Government Relations program, contact IFA Dir. of Government Relations Matt Lathrop at [email protected]. APRIL EVENTS FILL FRANCHISING’S CALENDAR April will be a busy month for franchising with the arrival of three seminars to provide franchise representatives guidance on compliance, the annual International Franchise Expo and a session on franchise development.

The April 7 Franchise Rule and IFA-FTC Franchise Sales Compliance Seminar at the Washington, DC Convention Center will provide participants with information on how the proposed rule differs from the current Franchise Rule and how those changes may affect businesses.

The 14th annual International Franchise Expo, set April 8-10 at the same location is the premiere franchise trade show that will provide both educational and exhibitor forums. Exhibitors will also have opportunities to meet with thousands of prospects from across the United States and around the world.

The Franchise Development Super Session, to be conducted April 21-22 at the Sheraton Atlanta, is designed to help participants revamp the franchise sales and development programs to expand business, increase market share and out distance the competition.

For more information, find it at www.franchise.org. WELCOME NEW IFA MEMBERS! Franchise Systems: Birthflowers.com, Milledgeville, Ga., Contact Linton McKnight; Cash Now, Royal Oak, Mich., Contact Philip A. Locke; CATZ, Needham, Mass., Contact Michael Sapers; Cool Daddy's Frozen Drink Entertainment, Atlanta, Contact Cheryl Dacey; EDSO Dental Training Centers, Bellmore, NY, Contact Edna Solomon; Equipro Inc., Germantown, Wisc., Contact Dan Bennett, EWF International, Oklahoma City, Contact Darcie Harris; Expense Reduction Consulting, Parkland, Fla., Contact Victor Ronder; Extra Steps, Wynnewood, Pa., Contact Margit Novack; HomeTask.Com, Seattle, Contact Jerrod Sessler; Let's Dish! International Inc., Savage, Minn., Contact Ruth Lundquist; Liquid Capital of America, Fort Lauderdale, Contact Darla Auchinachie; Lucille Roberts Fitness Express, New York City, Contact Bruce J. Major; My Girl Friday, Cincinnati, Contact Julie Hagenmaier; Neighborhood News, San Antonio, Contact Susan Schopp; Nitro Fitness, Lenexa, Kan., Contact Charles Rappe; Pete & Mac's Pet Resorts, Scottsdale, Ariz., Contact Gay Barwald; PHT (Preventive Health Technologies), Los Angeles, Contact Charles Blount; Pollo Campero--Adir Restaurants, Los Angeles, Contact; Prestige Business Publications, Westmoorings, Contact Richard Lewis; Safe Passage, Eugene, Ore., Contact Mark Beauchmap; Salad Creations of America, Boca Raton, Contact Jeff Levine; Shorelines Gallery, Eugene, Ore., Contact Jon Burke; Six Disciplines, Findlay, Ohio, Contact Scott May; SMARTBOX Portable Storage, Richmond, Contact Michael Lowe; Smooth Solutions, San Antonio, Contact Enrique Gross; Two 4 One Real Estate, Tucson, Contact Dan Pool; Value Place, Wichita, Contact Becky Cornejo; Vintage Stock, Joplin, Mo., Contact Rodney Spriggs; Wireless Franchise, Port Washington, NY, Contact Brandon Haenel; Ace Hardware, Oak Brook, Ill., Contact John Venhuizen; Andy OnCall Franchising, Chattanooga, Contact H. Clay Thompson; BD's Mongolian Barbeque, Ferndale, Mich., Contact Todd Pahl; Consolidated Restaurant Operations, Dallas, Contact Adam Mandel; Critter Control, Traverse City, Mich., Contact Charles Culver; Daily Grind of Winchester, Winchester, Va., Contact Richard Rawlings; DLC Dermacare, Scottsdale, Ariz., Contact Carl Mudd; East of Chicago Pizza, Willard, Ohio, Contact Mike Bruno; Emerald City Smoothie, Tacoma, Wash., Contact Al Schriber; Executive Tans, Lakewood, Colo., Contact Patrick Pounders; Fastbucks Franchise, Dallas, Contact Chuck Woolweaver; Foot Efx Franchise Systems, Las Vegas, Contact Maribeth Bunch; FPC National (F-O-R-T-U-N-E Personnel Consultants), New York City, Contact Ron Herzog; GarageTek, Syosset, NY, Contact Marc Shuman; Homewatch International, Denver, Contact Paul A. Sauer; Hot Stuff Foods, Sioux Falls, SD, Contact Sheryl Fox; Loop Pizza Grill, Jacksonville, Fla., Contact J. Mark Starbuck; Maids Etc., Raleigh, Contact Al Crawford; Mainstream Fashions, Apple Valley, Minn., Contact Marie A. DeNicola; NYPD Pizza, Orlando, Contact Paul Russo; Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services, Franklin, Ind., Contact J. Todd Hopkins; Old Chicago Franchising, Louisville, Colo., Contact Buck Warfield; Outdoor Connection, Burlington, Kan., Contact Marc Glades; Party America, Alameda, Calif., Contact Dave Crane; Pop-A-Lock, Lafayette, La., Contact Michael Kleimeyer; Re-Bath, Mesa, Ariz., Contact Norm Murdock; Recognition Express, Las Vegas, Contact Bill Clutter; Regus Group, Sunrise, Fla., Contact Genevieve Conroy; Remedy Intelligent Staffing Services, Aliso Viejo, Calif., Contact Janet Hawkins; Sea Tow Services International, Inc., Southold, NY, Contact Joseph J. Frohnhoefer; Seattle's Best Coffee, Seattle, Contact Karen B. Satterlee; Signal Graphics, Denver, Contact Steve Morris; Slim and Tone, Yardley, Pa., Contact Richard Ludlow; Victory Lane Quick Oil Change, Ann Arbor, Contact Earl Farr; Vocelli Pizza, Pittsburgh, Contact Bob Montanari; White Hen Pantry, Oak Brook, Ill., Contact Kevin Casey; Wienerschnitzel/Tastee Freez, Newport Beach, Calif., Contact Frank Coyle; Woodcraft Franchise Corporation, Parkersburg, WV, Contact Bill Carroll; Canadian Tire, Toronto, Canada, Contact Kelly Fleming; Trung Nguyen Coffee, Ho Chi Minh City, Contact Lan Thanh Nguyen.

Supplier Forum: ADEC-Solutions, Manchester, Conn., Contact Carol Esguerra; American Chamber of Commerce of El Salvador, Miami, Contact Enzo Bettaglio; BizCom Associates, Addison, Texas, Contact Scott White; Business Alliance, Atlanta, Contact Kim Brotherton; Carousel Capital, Charlotte, Contact Joe Pitt; Compass Technology Management, Chesapeake, Va., Contact Michael F. Trainor; Dataworks, Englewood, Colo., Contact John Pyne; Duane Morris, Chicago, Contact Pamela J. Mills; Expresscopy.com, Miami, Contact Jim Bozek; Federal Direct, Clifton, NJ, Contact Erik Weiss; Franchise Business Review, Portsmouth, NH, Contact Eric Stites; Franchise Tactical, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, Contact Nigel J. Mayne; FranchiseForSale.Com, McDonough, Ga., Contact Guy Norcott; Highline Capital, Boulder, Colo., Contact Doug Nielsen; K. Andrew Hall & Associates, Minneapolis, Contact K. Andrew Hall; Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg & Ellers, Philadelphia, Contact Don P. Foster; Lortz Direct, Omaha, Contact Eric Stuart; Pattison Sign Group, Buxton, Maine, Contact Jeff DiPaolo; Presidion Solutions, Orlando, Contact Ron Gillham; Proven Direct, Menomonee Falls, Wisc., Contact David Hess; Rider Bennett, Minneapolis, Contact Charles R. Kraus; Schiff Hardin, Chicago, Contact Paula J. Morency; Special Ops, Denver, Contact Craig Dietz; Sterling Global Executive Search, Sarasota, Contact Nancy Estep; The Destiny Group, Kentfield, Calif., Contact Bill Gaul; Total Resource Group, Lincolnwood, Ill., Contact Bruce J. Olans; Vivid Ink, Baton Rouge, Contact Stephen E. St. Cyr; Waterstreet Internet Technologies, Vancouver, Contact Jeff Dumont; Wonderlic, Inc., Libertyville, Ill., Contact Tom Bowman.

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