What looks set to be the biggest and most diverse final yet has a number of female franchisees in the running.
Two new awards have been created this year - Young Female Franchisee of the Year and Young Male Franchisee of the Year - to reflect significant trends in the industry.
The bfa’s latest industry survey revealed more female franchisees and under 30s than ever before are becoming franchisees.
The finalists for the franchisee awards are as follows:
Young Female Franchisee of the Year
Jennie Mills, Rainbow International; Charlotte Eames, The Creation Station; Victoria Rigby, Home Instead.
Young Male Franchisee of the Year
Steve Mullins, ActionCOACH; Craig Bishop, Snap-on Tools; Daryl Perkins, Card Connection.
Customer Engagement
Sarah Reeves, Bright & Beautiful; Berkeley Harris, Sandler Training; Kev and Amy Popat, Right at Home.
Lifestyle
Allison Malone, Stagecoach; John and Elaine Warburton, Barking Mad; David Hill, The Christmas Decorators.
Multi-unit
Steve Morris, Speedy Freight; Mark and Joanna Butler, Tutor Doctor; Mark Sadleir, Window to the Womb.
Business Transformation
Simon White, Home Instead; Gill Dawson, Molly Maid; Ed Pockney, Driver Hire.
Pip Wilkins, CEO of the bfa, says: “I was particularly pleased by how many exceptional case studies were presented for our young franchisee category, so much so that we shortlisted six in this category and split it into two. This goes to show the trend in our recent survey is continuing.”
“The diversity of franchise systems, and the franchisees shortlisted, are indicative of an industry that is booming.”
Some of the franchise company’s nominated have also been shortlisted for franchisor awards, which were announced earlier this month.
Winners will be announced at the bfa HSBC Franchise Awards on June 27, which take place at The Vox in Birmingham.