Top Franchises in Ireland announced at the Irish Franchise Awards 2015

On Friday, March 27th at the Clyde Court Hotel in Dublin 4, the winners of the Irish Franchise Awards 2015 were announced. The awards recognise excellence in franchising and reward the outstanding achievements of businesses and individuals in the franchise industry. The Irish Franchise Awards celebrate 20 years this year and it is one of the longest running business award ceremonies in Ireland. 230 guests attended the black-tie gala event hosted by Newstalk’s Jonathan Healy and officiated by Minister Kevin Humphreys TD. The evening was filled with heady anticipation as many familiar faces from the world of franchising were entertained by the splendid Duo Voci and a full programme of entertainment as they waited for the final results to be announced and bespoke crystal awards to be presented.

Franchise of the Year (Retail) went to The Zip Yard, Franchise of the Year (Service) went to Home Instead, Excellence in Innovation went to O’Briens Sandwich Bars, Outstanding contribution to employment in Ireland went to Fastway Couriers, Best Newcomer was thebestof, Best Emerging Franchise went to Sásta, Best Marketing Campaign went to Supermacs, Best Franchise System and Business Practice went to Chem-Dry Ireland, the Outstanding Growth Award went to Apache Pizza, Best Indigenous Irish Franchise was Eddie Rockets, Franchising Woman of the Year was awarded to Allison McGinley of TaxAssist Accountants, Franchisee of the Year (retail) went to Amir Afsar of McDonalds, Franchisee of the Year (Service) went to Conor Smith of SNAP Sandyford, Best Irish Franchise Trading Internationally went to Butlers Chocolate Café and Subway scooped the Outstanding Contribution to Franchising in Ireland Award.

The judging panel for the 2015 Irish Franchise Awards included Newstalk Business Presenter and former Irish Dragon Bobby Kerr; Orla Nugent, Director Executive MBA, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School; Greg Swift, head of enterprise at Dublin Local Enterprise Office; Michael Bradley, former CEO of the Irish Franchise Association and Elaine O Regan of the Sunday Business Post. Speaking on the night, Bobby Kerr commended the very high standard of the entries and presentations received and remarked on the huge numbers employed in Ireland through the various franchise systems.

The ceremony was an impressive business event reflecting the strength of the franchise sector over the last two decades. David Killeen, Chairman of the Irish Franchise Association said “The awards are an opportunity for us to formally recognise and celebrate the excellent work being done by all franchise operators in growing our sector, consolidating existing businesses and protecting sustainable jobs. We look forward with excitement to sharing the results of the current all-Ireland Franchise Survey underway in partnership with AIB. On behalf of the Association I would like to congratulate all entrants and winners and special thanks to our Sponsors which include Rialto Motors, Home Instead, TaxAssist Accountants, Comans Wholesale, Fastway Couriers, Rialto Motors, JBM & Merit Solutions, McDonalds and Skillnet.

ENDS

Press Contact: Helen O Dwyer | PR ONE | 086 2332725 | Helen@pr1.ie

Editors Notes:

*** Licence Free Captioned images available from Photo-call Ireland

Winners of the Irish Franchise Awards 2015

• 1. Best Newcomer: thebestof: thebestof is the ‘only marketing franchise in Ireland’ providing support to the growing Irish SME market with core marketing functions available on a subscription basis. They bring trusted businesses and the community together
• 2. Franchisee of the Year (Retail): Amir Afsar, McDonalds: This franchisee was a part-time employee whilst at college and now owns and operates six of the best known franchise outlets in Ireland.
• 3. Franchisee of the Year (Service): Conor Smith, SNAP Sandyford: Snap Sandyford provided SMEs with Essential Marketing Services. They are totally customer focused, driven by high standards and committed to providing customers with an exceptional customer experience.
• 4. Best Emerging Franchise: Sásta: Sásta is a weightloss franchise promoting sustainable weightloss through exercise on a patented pod, educated food choices and one to one motivation. It comes with 100% moneyback guarantee
• 5. Best Marketing Campaign: Supermacs: In 2014, Supermacs advertised in Times Square, New York and this created a media sensation. An Irish Franchise, now advertising on the most recognisable and the most seen billboards in the world.
• 6. Franchising Woman of the year: Alison McGinnley TaxAssist: Senior positions in her industry are in the main dominated by men. This is one of the reasons, Alison McGinnley stands out. A graduate of Trinity College Dublin, she held roles in Google Ireland and several Marketing agencies before launching the TaxAssist Franchise along with her fellow Directors on to the Irish market in 2009.
• 7. Outstanding Growth Award: Apache Pizza: Apache Pizza is now the largest pizza restaurant and delivery brand in Ireland, offering a low cost entry level and low cost sustainable pizza delivery business model for up to 120 locations in southern Ireland alone
• 8. Best Franchise System and Business Practice: Chem-Dry Ireland: This Franchisor’s contribution to developing and improving their operations manual was so strong that it was adopted for use worldwide. It is the largest carpet cleaning franchise in Ireland
• 9. Best Indigenous Irish Franchise: Eddie Rockets: Eddie Rockets is a household name, the home of the Hamburger and a successful Irish company serving customers iconic made to order food in an American themed Diner experience.
• 10. Best Irish Franchise trading internationally: Butlers Chocolate Café: Butlers Choclate Café is a strong Irish brand serving the highest quality coffee, chocolates and food in a stylish, welcoming and characterful setting. With franchisees now as far as New Zealand, Pakistan and UAE, this Irish brand has made the world wake up and smell the chocolate!
• 11. Franchise of the Year (Retail): The Zip Yard: The Zip Yard is Ireland's only clothing alterations and restyling franchise. A world first in creating a new retail experience in fashion remodelling, bringing a new franchise concept in a modern boutique setting.
• 12. Franchise of the Year (Service): Home Instead: Home Instead is Ireland’s largest and most trusted source of home care for older people. The first franchise office was set up in Ireland in 2005 and last year they delivered over 1,250,000 hours of care to over 4,000 seniors in their own homes.
• 13. Excellence in Innovation Award: O’Briens Sandwich Bars: O’Briens Sandwich Bars is one of Ireland’s iconic brands that has withstood the test of time, gone through fundamental changes, successfully introduced new exciting store designs and food offerings, innovative marketing strategies and attracted new franchisees at home and internationally, whilst maintaining its identity and simple idea … to sell really good quality sandwiches & coffee, by way of franchised retail outlets.
• 14. Outstanding Contribution to Employment in Ireland: Fastway Couriers: This Franchise has achieved organic growth from zero franchisees to over 275 in 12 Years. This Franchise Network provides massive back-up support to franchisees and employees helping to continuously expand their skillset. They are tech savvy with total end customer focus. They are Businessmen and women who are fit, motivated, willing to adapt and learn on a continuous basis, positive, pro-active, personable and very, very hard working
• 15. Outstanding Contribution to Franchising in Ireland: SUBWAY: This is a very special award and the winner is chosen by the board of directors of the Irish Franchise Association to reward individuals and franchises that have made an outstanding contribution to the sector and give franchising a positive and progressive public image.

ENDS