Frequently Asked Questions About the Employee Satisfaction Awards 

Franchise Business Review’s Employee Satisfaction Awards shine a spotlight on the best workplaces in the franchise sector—those that go beyond business success to create exceptional cultures for their employees. 

As the only recognition program of its kind, these awards celebrate the franchise companies, suppliers, and franchisees who invest in their people, prioritize employee satisfaction, and cultivate environments where careers and franchises thrive. 

Whether you’re a franchisor, franchisee, or supplier, participating in this program is more than a chance to win—it’s a commitment to building a stronger, more engaged workforce.

What are the Employee Satisfaction Awards?

FBR’s Employee Satisfaction Awards is the only awards program dedicated solely to recognizing companies serving the franchise sector for creating outstanding workplaces for their employees.

Who should apply for the Employee Satisfaction Awards?

Any company operating in the franchise space that is proud of the workplace and culture they have created, challenges their employees to continually improve their performance in a fun and engaging environment, and supports their employees’ career growth and advancement, as well as franchise companies that want to attract, hire, and retain the best employees. We encourage franchisors, franchisees, and franchise suppliers to apply.

Who is eligible for the Employee Satisfaction Awards?

The awards are open to all U.S. and Canadian-based franchises, franchisees, and suppliers servicing the franchise sector that have at least 10 full-time employees and gross annual revenue of $1M+

Participation in the awards provides a unique opportunity for franchisors, franchisees, and franchise suppliers to showcase their commitment to workplace excellence. Eligibility extends to organizations that prioritize employee satisfaction, workplace culture, and overall operational success, regardless of industry or specialization. The program aims to recognize those who go above and beyond in building an engaging and productive work environment.

Why should my company apply for the Employee Satisfaction Awards?

There are so many perks to winning! These are just a few of the biggest:

• Broad exposure and recognition. This is an opportunity to show the world you’re an employer of choice.
• Actionable insights. You’ll receive your benchmark score so you can see how your employee engagement compares to other franchise brands. Plus, if you opt in to receive the full results of your survey, you’ll get access to the detailed data, employee open text responses, and a full review with the FBR team to identify areas of risk and opportunity.
• Higher employee engagement and retention. Employees will appreciate that you’re asking for their input and you’ll be able to use the feedback to help you retain the best employees in the business.
• Valuable recruitment tool. Attract the best and the brightest employees by showcasing your commitment to employee satisfaction.
• Shared best practices. Get the inside scoop on the strategies top franchise employers are using.

What’s the deadline to register for the Employee Satisfaction Awards?

The deadline to register is April 30. Employees must complete the survey by June 1 to be included in the research to qualify for the awards.

How are the winners selected for the Employee Satisfaction Awards?

Companies that participate in our employee engagement survey are eligible for the Employee Satisfaction Awards, which recognize the franchise companies with exceptional employee satisfaction. The award winners are selected based on their employee engagement benchmark scores on 24 questions in eight key areas, including satisfaction, alignment, team, manager, culture, and leadership. Scores for each benchmark question are determined using a weighted scale—the most positive response option (such as “excellent” or “strongly agree”) having the most positive effect, and the most negative option having the most negative effect.

When are the Employee Satisfaction Award winners announced?

Award finalists will be notified by late July and winners will be publicly announced in mid-August.

What is the application process for the Employee Satisfaction Awards?

The process is easy! Simply fill out the entry form and submit your registration fee. Once you register, a team member from FBR will be in touch to go over options for customization, survey administration, and the results you receive. 

What’s the cost to participate in the Employee Satisfaction Awards?

The cost to register is $795 USD. The registration fee includes survey administration by Franchise Business Review to gather feedback directly from employees on various aspects of workplace culture and employee satisfaction. Register here.

This cost also includes a report with your Employee Satisfaction Index (ESI) score comparing your organization to the overall benchmark, as well as the opportunity to earn recognition as a leader in workplace culture within the franchising industry.

What if my company doesn’t make the list for the Employee Satisfaction Awards?

If your company doesn’t make the list, no one will know but you. Individual companies who are not finalists or award winners will not be shared publicly

It’s important to remember that participating in the Employee Satisfaction Awards is still a valuable experience, even if your company doesn’t make the list. By engaging in the survey process, you have the opportunity to gain access to valuable employee feedback and insights through the survey results. This information can help identify areas of strength and opportunities for growth within your organization, allowing you to improve workplace culture and employee satisfaction for the future.

What will my company receive as an Employee Satisfaction Awards participant?

Your company will receive a scorecard showing your benchmark scores in the eight key areas of the survey. Award winners will also receive a PR toolkit with award graphics, a press release template and other opportunities for promotion.

Additionally, your company has the option of purchasing your full data, including access to our online analytics tool and detailed reports that capture all the feedback collected from your employees, enabling you to identify opportunities and risks, understand where you can make improvements, and measure year-over-year progress on employee engagement and retention.

Why It Matters: A Culture-First Advantage

Being named an Employee Satisfaction Award winner isn’t just a badge of honor—it’s a proven way to attract top talent, boost retention, and show the world you’re a franchise employer of choice. Even if you don’t make the final list, the employee feedback and benchmark insights you gain can help you level up your culture and performance.