---
title: "International Franchise Association Honors Jeff Chew as Pizza Factory’s Franchisee of the Year"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/168b447d-1d3b-4b51-ad30-b9ff660359af
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20250226_international_franchise_association_honors_jeff_chew_as_pizza_factorys_fran.html
category: "Pizza"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Pizza"
published: 2025-02-26T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T19:03:03.656Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1555396273-367ea4eb4db5?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# International Franchise Association Honors Jeff Chew as Pizza Factory’s Franchisee of the Year

**TL;DR:** The International Franchise Association has honored Jeff Chew as Pizza Factory's Franchisee of the Year, recognizing his dedication to the brand and community engagement. Chew, a former master auto technician, has been a Pizza Factory franchisee since 1990 and has expanded the brand to multiple locations.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2025-02-26. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20250226_international_franchise_association_honors_jeff_chew_as_pizza_factorys_fran.html).*

## Story

Originally a master auto technician, Chew’s career took an unexpected yet transformative turn in 1990 when he was offered the opportunity to open a Pizza Factory franchise in Susanville, California. Determined to seize the moment, he took a leap of faith, mortgaging his home and investing everything into building his business. His dedication has since led him to bring the brand to other markets, including Janesville, solidifying his presence in the region.

“For two decades, I committed myself to establishing and growing my location,” said Chew. “It wasn’t always easy, but my dedication paid off, turning my Pizza Factory location into a thriving cornerstone of the community. Over the years, I’ve embraced the evolving landscape of the brand, adopting new technology and modernized systems that have helped propel my business forward.”

Beyond his dedication as a franchisee, Jeff has been a steadfast advocate for community engagement. His contributions to local school lunch programs reflect his deep-rooted belief in giving back to the communities he serves. His passion for mentorship has helped guide future franchisees, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that defines Pizza Factory.

“Franchisees of the Year represent the very best of franchising,” said Matt Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “They embody the American Dream, create economic opportunity, serve their communities, and show what it means to go into business for yourself, but not by yourself. We are proud to recognize these entrepreneurs with the highest honor IFA awards to individual franchisees, and we salute them for their tireless efforts to lift up all those they serve.”

With approximately 830,000 franchised businesses across the U.S. providing nearly 9 million jobs and generating over $896 billion in economic output, franchisees like Jeff Chew play a crucial role in driving economic growth and community support. His recognition as Franchisee of the Year is a testament to his impact, both within Pizza Factory and in the broader franchise industry.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- QSR (sector)
- franchise expansion (topic)
- Matt Haller (person)
- community engagement (topic)
- International Franchise Association (IFA) (regulator)
- franchisee of the year (topic)
- Pizza Factory (company)
- Jeff Chew (person)

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Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20250226_international_franchise_association_honors_jeff_chew_as_pizza_factorys_fran.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/168b447d-1d3b-4b51-ad30-b9ff660359af).