The global franchising community got together at the Global Franchise Awards ceremony to recognize and celebrate the brands that are driving the industry forward.
Little Kickers, children’s sports franchise, scooped up the top prize – the coveted Global Franchise Champion accolade – at this year’s Global Franchise Awards 2020.
Held at the Orlando World Center Marriott during the IFA 2020 Annual Convention on 7 February 2020, the awards ceremony was attended by the best international franchises from across the world.
12 franchises were announced as respective winners of their categories, with one of them going on to be named the overall Global Franchise Champion.
James Fell, editor of Global Franchise, said: “The Global Franchise team and our panel of judges were blown away by the caliber of entries this year. I would like to congratulate all of the category winners and wish Little Kickers, the Global Franchise Champion, a hearty congratulations on getting the top spot.
“Many aspects of Little Kickers’ application impressed our judges, especially the rate of growth that the brand has experienced, and the sustainable manner in which it has done so. It is such an impressive franchising organization.”
Pip Wilkins, CEO of the British Franchise Association (bfa) and head judge at this year’s awards, said: “We saw a diverse amount of businesses across the whole portfolio of entries. There were some great brands, including U.K.-based ones like Little Kickers, ERA and some international ones like Wingstop and Bodystreet.
“As the bfa, we wanted to associate with the Global Franchise Awards to help raise the overall standards of international franchising awards. Making sure that the standards were at the forefront of the global awards was important to me and a passion of mine, and it aligns with what we do as an association.”
Christine Kelly, founder and CEO of Little Kickers Group was delighted to be awarded the Global Franchise Champion. “When I set up this business 18 years ago, I had no idea it would grow to this size. I set it up for my son and his friends in order to entertain them, but it has grown beyond all my expectations and I am absolutely thrilled,” she said. “This business has enabled me to work with the most incredible people. I am here with my team tonight and so many of them have been with me for 10 to 15 years, working on this together.
“Now we are at the point where we have 330 franchisees across the world and many have been with us for years. It is just fantastic that we managed to build this community around a program that gives kids loads of fun but educates them at the same time.”
The 12 category winners are:
Little Kickers – Best Children’s & Education Franchise
Wingstop – Best Food & Drink Franchise
Dogtopia – Best Lifestyle Franchise
Neighborly – Best Property & Home Maintenance Franchise
FASTSIGNS – Best Signage & Communications Franchise
Expense Reduction Analysts – Best White Collar Franchise
Lindex – Best Emerging Franchise
Bodystreet – Best Fitness Franchise
The Richard L. Rosen Law Firm – Best Franchise Lawyer
DC Strategy – Best Franchise Consultancy
Helen Doron Education – The Global Mentorship Award
Farrah Rose, The Franchising Centre – Contribution to International Franchising Award
Click here to find out more about the Global Franchise Awards and to register your interest in the 2021 edition
