Dustin Baker of Assisted Living Locators East Valley Awarded Franchisee of the Year by International Franchise Association

“Franchisee of the Year Awards are the highest honors presented to individual franchisees,” said Matthew Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “These local business owners, like Baker, represent some of the best entrepreneurs in the country, and we are proud to recognize [his/her/their] contributions to their communities, their employees, and all those they serve.”

Baker’s franchise provides senior placement and referral service throughout Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction, Queen Creek, and East Mesa areas.

According to Assisted Living Locators CEO Angela Olea, Dustin Baker is a top franchise producer that not only helps and mentors his fellow franchisees, but also passionately cares about his senior clients and his community. “As an Iraq veteran and medic, Dustin has been determined to make a positive impact on his community during the coronavirus pandemic,” she explained. “He has supplied over a thousand N-95 masks to protect healthcare workers in veterans’ homes and senior living properties.”

Prior to joining the senior care industry, Baker served in the United States Army as a combat medic in an artillery unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was also an administrative supervisor at an outpatient surgical ward at William Beaumont army medical center at Fort Bliss, in El Paso, TX.

“We are very proud of Dustin receiving this great honor,” said Olea. “He goes ‘above and beyond’ to serve seniors and their families and has tremendous compassion and problem-solving skills. At Assisted Living Locators, we work hard to make our franchisees successful and stress the importance of giving back in business.”

A recent IFA study showed that franchising helped lead U.S. economic recovery in 2021, with exceptional job and business growth across all franchising sectors. The industry on average provides higher wages, better benefits, and more leave than non-franchised businesses, as well as greater opportunities to underserved communities and aspiring entrepreneurs, according to Oxford Economics research.