Franchise Update Media Announces 2025 Franchise Innovation Award Winners

Award Winners Announced

SAN JOSE, CA – June 26, 2025 // Franchising.com — Franchise Update Media is proud to unveil the winners of the 7th Annual Franchise Innovation Awards, recognizing the most forward-thinking innovations across franchising over the past year.

These prestigious awards spotlight brands that are redefining the franchise landscape through bold innovation, creative solutions, and measurable success. More than 80 entries were submitted and reviewed by a panel of expert judges.

This year's competition evaluated innovation in four major areas: Marketing & Branding, Products & Services, Operations & Technology, and Human Resources.

Winners of the Franchise Development awards will be recognized in October at the Franchise Leadership & Development Conference.

Category Winners

The annual competition again celebrates two overall winners. First place in the Marketing & Branding category goes to the brand that created the most innovative and successful marketing campaign. This year's winner was Goldfish Swim School for its “Making a Splash This Holiday Season: Goldfish Swim School Franchising's Holiday Gifting Campaign” which successfully extended the brand's reach beyond its core demographics, engaging a broad range of gift givers and driving a significant boost in year-end revenue.

The Franchise Operations & Technology Leadership Award was presented to Dave's Hot Chicken for its “Dave's of the Future” initiative, which leveraged automation, AI, and real-time tracking to streamline operations and elevated the guest experience through innovations like order-ready boards, AI voice ordering, and drone delivery.

• Goldfish Swim School — Marketing

• Dave's Hot Chicken — Operations & Technology

• Goldfish Swim School

• Spavia Day Spa

• Mountain Mike's Pizza

• Christian Brothers Automotive

• Kitchen Tune-Up and Bath Tune-Up

• Dave's Hot Chicken

• Best PR Campaign Mountain Mike's Pizza

• Best Digital Campaign Primrose Schools

• Best Social Media Campaign Dave's Hot Chicken

• Local Marketing Leadership Cicis Pizza

• Cause Marketing Champion Spavia Day Spa

• Best Limited Budget Campaign (under $1 million) Goldfish Swim School

• Most Innovative Product Introduction PJ's Coffee

• Most Innovative Service Introduction Christian Brothers

• Most Innovative Use of Customer-Facing Digital Tools Kitchen Tune-Up and Bath Tune-Up

• Most Innovative Use of Technology: Services Dave's Hot Chicken

• Most Innovative Use of Technology Burn Boot Camp

• Most Innovative Use of Data Hand & Stone

• Most Innovative Franchisee Support AdvantaClean

• Most Innovative Building Design, Remodel, or Prototype Dine Brands — Applebee's/IHOP

• Most Innovative Employee Recruiting Hand & Stone

• Most Innovative Employee Retention Celebree School

The winners will be recognized in Franchise Update magazine, available later this year at franchising.com/magazine/.

Franchise Update Media has been a leader in the franchising space for more than 37 years. Founded in 1988, the company produces online franchise opportunity and educational websites, two quarterly print magazines, 12 newsletters, three annual conferences, independent research, and books, 100% focused on franchising. Targeting franchise audiences online, in print, and in person, Franchise Update Media delivers a unique combination of educational and lead-generation sources to help franchisors, multi-unit franchisees, opportunity seekers, and suppliers achieve their growth objectives.

Franchise Update Media (FUM) is the trusted resource for the franchise industry. For 30+ years, FUM has been the leader in providing valuable conferences, print publications and digital properties for Franchisors, Franchisees and Franchise Prospects.