Winners for the 25th Irish Franchise Association Awards 2022 Announced

After nearly two and a half years, over 180 representatives from 30 franchises across Ireland, joined together in celebrating the Irish Franchise Association Awards 2022, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin. The Irish Franchise Association Gala Evening and Awards is the single largest event for the franchising community in Ireland. The 16 Awards recognise and celebrate all that is great and wonderful about franchising, and most importantly, the people who make it such a huge success. 

Winners are selected by an independent adjudication panel chaired by Bobby Kerr ex-Dragons’ Den, alongside businessman John Lane, Partner at Holohan Lane Solicitors, Mags Brennan, Permanent TSB and Head of Chambers Ireland and Greg Swift, Head of Enterprise for Dublin City LEO. In what has been a very challenging few years for all businesses, 2022 is the year to celebrate the road to recovery. Chair of the judging panel, Bobby Kerr said, “The last two years have been fairly horrendous for our sector and I really  want to commend everybody for putting in such a strong portfolio of entries. The last two years are behind us now and we're starting to see a lot more buoyancy in the marketplace, which is good for your businesses, and it's great to see so much innovation throughout all categories this year. We also saw a huge amount of focus on healthy eating, sustainability and all those things that are going to improve your business.”

New for 2022 was the addition of the Franchise of the Year – Sustainability Award. The inaugural award was won by The Zip Yard. Accepting the Award, Managing Director of The Zip Yard Caroline Wallace said, “Winning this Award is a seal of approval for all our team who have worked so hard over the most challenging few years we’ve had. We want to promote a circular fashion industry where up-cycling and remodelling clothing for years is the norm.  Winning an Award for Sustainability is what is at the heart of The Zip Yard, myself and all our entire team nationwide are truly delighted.”

Overall Franchise of the Year was awarded to CAMILE THAI. Edel Kinane, Chief Marketing Officer stated “On behalf of the Camile Thai Group and all our franchisees, we are delighted to accept the award for Overall Franchise of the Year 2022. This is testament to the hard work of the Camile Community, its dedication to quality and its commitment to consistently delivering the freshest and tastiest Thai food to a growing customer base across Ireland and UK. Food innovation, sustainability and technology will continue to be at the heart of the Camile business as we scale and build on our success and that of our franchisees.''

The 2022 winners are: 

• Best Emerging Franchise of the Year – sponsored by Phonovation – NEAT PIZZA
• Best Irish International Franchise – sponsored by Franchise Direct – CAMILE THAI
• Business to Business Franchise of the Year – sponsored by Martin Food Equipment – ACTIONCOACH IRELAND
• Children’s Play & Education Franchise of the Year – BRICKS4KIDS
• Covid Response Award  - ZAMBRERO
• Food Service - Casual Dining Franchise of the Year – sponsored by Just Eat - SUPERMACS
• Food Service: Quick Service Restaurant Franchise of the Year (including delivery) – sponsored by Permanent TSB – EDDIE ROCKETS
• Lifestyle Franchise of the Year – sponsored by Beauchamps – ANYTIME FITNESS
• Retail Franchise of the Year – sponsored by Three – INSOMNIA COFFEE COMPANY
• Retail Franchisee of the Year – sponsored by BWG Foods - CARD CONNECTION (the late JOE SWEENEY R.I.P.)
• Service Franchise of the Year - KENDLEBELL
• Service Franchisee of the Year – RIGHT AT HOME (GALWAY/MAYO/ROSCOMMON)
• Franchise of the Year - Sustainability– sponsored by Innovu Insurance – THE ZIP YARD
• Overall Franchise of the Year – sponsored by AccountsIQ – CAMILE THAI
• Lifetime Honorary Membership - John Green, Chem-Dry
• Outstanding Contribution to Franchising - David Killeen

Chairperson of the Irish Franchise Association, David Killeen from Killeen & Associations was totally shocked and surprised by the Association awarding him the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Franchising Award’ for his total dedication and commitment to the industry over the last 20 years. 

As part of the evening, Susan O’Dwyer, CEO with Make-A- Wish Ireland, the event Charity Partner, said “This year marks Make-A-Wish Ireland’s 30th anniversary and to celebrate granting wishes since 1992, we have a year full of magic in store. We will be revisiting some of our wish children and families from over the last 30 years, to hear their stories and discover how Make-A-Wish impacted their lives. Make-A-Wish does not receive any government funding and relies on the generosity of people like you to continue granting wishes. On behalf of our wish families, thank you. Wishes cannot be granted without you. “

The Irish Franchise Association Awards is the only event completely dedicated to those working in franchising in Ireland. Thank you to all our sponsors – AccountsIQ, Beauchamps, BWG Foods, Rocket Restaurants, Franchise Direct, Innovu Insurance, Just Eat, Martin Food Equipment, Permanent TSB, Phonovation, Three, Worldpay and our media partner The Sunday Business Post, all of whom ensure our event continues to be a fixture on the franchise calendar.