Franchise Update Media Reveals 2024 Franchise Innovation Award Winners

Franchise Update Media has announced the winners of the 6th annual Franchise Innovation Awards, which recognize the most outstanding innovations in franchising in the past year.

The goal of these annual awards is to identify and recognize the franchise brands creating and implementing the most original and successful innovation strategies and tactics. Winners were chosen by a panel of judges, who evaluated the objectives and results of more than 150 entrants.

Franchise innovators, game-changers, and disruptors competed in five categories: Marketing & Branding, Products & Services, Operations & Technology, Human Resources, and a new category, Franchise Development. The Franchise Development award winners will be announced at the Franchise Leadership & Development Conference in October.

The annual competition also celebrates a "Best of the Best" overall winner in marketing with the Franchise Marketing Leadership Award. This award is given to the brand that created the most innovative – and successful – marketing campaign. This year’s winner was Tropical Smoothie Cafe with its ‘Tropic Time Concierge’ national advertising campaign, featuring the brand’s New Tropic Bowls and concierge played by Saturday Night Live’s Chloe Fineman.

A Franchise Operations & Technology Leadership Award was presented to the "Best of the Best" submission in the operations and technology categories. Homewatch CareGivers took home this year’s award with the development of its Homewatch CareGivers Total Care Solutions™ which delivers personalized care that meets each client’s needs, extends opportunities for caregivers, and increases profit and efficiencies for franchise owners.

• Tropical Smoothie Cafe Marketing

• Homewatch CareGivers Operations & Technology

• Tropical Smoothie Cafe

• KFC

• MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes

• Primrose Schools

• Goldfish Swim School

• Hungry Howie's Pizza

• Homewatch CareGivers

• Camp Bow Wow

• Tropical Smoothie Cafe Best Big Budget Campaign

• Budget Blinds Best Digital Campaign

• KFC Local Marketing Leadership

• Blaze Pizza Best Limited Budget Campaign (under $1 million)

• MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes Best Loyalty App

• Primrose Schools Best PR Campaign

• Smalls Sliders Best Social Media Campaign

• Tropical Smoothie Cafe Cause Marketing Champion

• Hungry Howie's Pizza Most Innovative Product Introduction

• Homewatch CareGivers Most Innovative Service Introduction

• Camp Bow Wow Most Innovative Use of Customer-Facing Digital Tools

• Goldfish Swim School Most Innovative Use of Data

• AlphaGraphics Most Innovative Use of Technology: Services

• Little Caesars Pizza Most Innovative Building Design, Remodel, or Prototype

• Homewatch CareGivers Most Innovative Franchisee Support

• Cousins Maine Lobster Most Innovative Operations Team

• Batteries Plus Most Innovative Use of Technology

• Generator Supercenter Franchising, LLC Most Innovative Employee Hiring

• Generator Supercenter Franchising, LLC Most Innovative Employee Recruiting

• BrightStar Care Most Innovative Employee Retention

• Altitude Trampoline Park Most Innovative Employee Training

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 36 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.