LAS VEGAS, March 1, 2023 – The International Franchise Association (IFA) today named Grand Welcome of the Ozarks Franchisees, Steve Harbour, Chris Hollyman and David Hughes as 2023 Franchisees of the Year. The three were honored at the 63rd IFA Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, for being outstanding franchisee establishment owner-operators.
“Franchisee of the Year recipients represent the best in franchising,” said Matthew Haller, president, and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “This is the highest honor IFA awards to individual franchisees, and local business owners like Harbour, Hollyman and Hughes exemplify the power of franchising and its positive contributions to communities around the world.”
The Franchisee of the Year Award, sponsored by IFA’s partner Paychex, recognizes leading franchise owners from IFA member brands whose outstanding performance and contributions help protect, enhance, and promote the franchise business
model. Nominated by their parent company, individuals are selected for their service to their communities, fostering a strong and vibrant workforce, opening the doors for career growth and entrepreneurship, and supporting their fellow franchisees.
“We are honored to be recognized by this prestigious IFA award for growing the Grand Welcome concept in our local area,” said Steve Harbour, franchisee owner and operator of Grand Welcome of the Ozarks. “We love the natural beauty of Branson, Missouri and it is our goal to help others experience everything it offers through personalized property management.”
There are approximately 800,000 franchised businesses across the U.S., providing over 8.4 million direct jobs and generating over $800 billion in economic output. According to Oxford Economics, franchising on average provides higher wages and better benefits than non-franchised businesses, as well as greater entrepreneurial opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, and other underrepresented communities.
One of the leading short-term rental property management businesses in the United States, Grand Welcome is on an upward trend of success and franchisees are finding the systems and processes effective to earn profit within the emerging vacation rental industry. In less than eight months, the Grand Welcome of the Ozarks franchisees have grown to manage 182 units. They have also earned recognition as an Airbnb super host, which recognizes the best in hospitality and celebrates top-rated and most experienced hosts.
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About Grand Welcome:
Named one of Entrepreneur magazine’s Top New and Emerging Franchises of 2022, Grand Welcome has become one of the leading short-term rental property management businesses in the United States. Founded in 2009, the company is consistently growing the number of franchise locations, properties, and range of destinations it offers to valued and loyal customers. To learn more about Grand Welcome franchise opportunities, visit www.grandwelcomefranchise.com or call 803.991.4297.
About the International Franchise Association:
Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the approximately 790,492 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.4 million direct jobs, $825.4 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.
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