Maaco Collision Repair & Auto Painting franchisee Joseph Ambuul of Colorado Springs, Colo., was honored by the International Franchise Association (IFA) with a “Franchisee of the Year Award.”
“Joe has grown his business tremendously in the past five years,” said David Lapps, president of the King of Prussia-based franchisor. “He has provided real leadership in expanding the collision repair segment of Maaco. And he is great for franchising in that he is a player who cooperates with other franchisees and is a very positive person.”
Franchise owner-operators representing 28 franchise systems were recognized during the IFA’s 12th Annual Public Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C., for outstanding business performance and for the contributions they have made to their local communities and to enhance the growth and development of franchising.
“The IFA is proud to recognize the outstanding efforts of Joe Ambuul with the Franchisee of the Year Award,” said IFA Chairman Jack Earle, a multi-unit franchise owner of McDonald’s restaurants. “The franchising community is an important component of the U.S. economy due to the hard work of these exemplary individuals who have helped bolster the growth of the industry.”
The Franchisee of the Year Award is a major component of the IFA’s Public Affairs Conference, which brings more than 500 franchise business leaders together in Washington, D.C., to carry the key messages of franchising to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. During the two-day event, franchise industry leaders met with over 200 congressional offices about issues important to the future of franchising such as healthcare reform and access to credit.
IFA members also highlighted the economic impact of franchising. According to a study conducted for the IFA Educational Foundation by PricewaterhouseCoopers, there are more than 800,000 franchised businesses in operation across the country generating 18 million jobs and $2.1 trillion in economic output. In Colorado, 17,463 establishments directly provide 163,800 jobs and generate $15.6 billion to the U.S. economy.
“As Washington works to strengthen and renew our economy, lawmakers should remember that franchising counts in local communities all across the country,” Earle said. “With available credit and sound regulatory policies, franchise businesses like Maaco will create the jobs necessary for sustained economic recovery and growth.”
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