What are the Franchisee Satisfaction Awards?

Franchise Business Review’s Franchisee Satisfaction Awards is North America’s only awards program honoring franchise brands for excellence in achieving franchisee satisfaction. Each year, Franchise Business Review (FBR) surveys thousands of franchise owners to determine their levels of satisfaction with their franchise brand. We compile a list of the top franchises each year and publish a ranking of the top franchise opportunities based exclusively on owner satisfaction. Since 2006, the Franchisee Satisfaction Awards have been considered the gold standard in the franchise sector.

Who’s eligible for the Franchisee Satisfaction Awards?

The Franchisee Satisfaction Awards are open to all franchise brands based in the U.S. or Canada and have at least 10 franchise owners open and operating for more than six months. To be considered for an award your brand must participate in Franchise Business Review’s franchisee satisfaction survey. FBR will survey your franchisees at no cost.

Why should my company apply for the Franchisee Satisfaction Awards?

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

• Opportunities for lead generation and recruitment
• Third-party recognition to speed validation
• Broad media and PR exposure
• Industry recognition as a strategic thought leader
• Performance benchmarking compared to more than 1,300 other franchises. 
• Distribution of our reports and lists featuring the award-winning brands to potential franchise buyers 

What is the deadline to register for the Franchisee Satisfaction Awards?

The deadline to register for the annual Top Franchises list is September 30. All brands that have surveyed with Franchise Business Review in the 18 months prior will be considered for the awards. 

There are additional deadlines throughout the year for other awards lists, which recognize the top franchises in various sectors. Check our Editorial Calendar for the quarterly lists and associated deadlines.

How are the winners selected for the Franchisee Satisfaction Awards?

Winners are selected based on survey data collected from their franchisees on 33 standard benchmarking questions. The 200 brands with the highest overall franchisee satisfaction scores are named a Top Franchise.

Scores for each benchmark question are determined using a weighted scale. For each franchise brand, the collective scores of the franchisees are used to determine an overall FSI (Franchisee Satisfaction Index) score to determine their ranking.

Other factors considered include: size of the franchise system, percent of franchisees participating in the survey, and the age of the survey.

When are the Franchisee Satisfaction Award winners announced?

Award winners are notified in mid-December and are publicly announced January 1.

What is the application process for the Franchisee Satisfaction Awards?

The process is easy! Simply fill out a short registration form and a team member from FBR will be in touch to go over next steps, including options for customization, survey administration, and the results you receive.

What is the cost to participate in the Franchisee Satisfaction Awards?

There are no fees to enter. Participation in Franchise Business Review’s research is FREE and completely confidential.

Additionally, you do have the option of purchasing full access to your data, including detailed reports that capture all the feedback collected from your franchisees, which can be used to identify opportunities and risks, understand where you can make improvements, and measure year-over-year progress on franchisee satisfaction.

Who conducts the surveys used for the award? 

The surveys are conducted by Franchise Business Review, an independent research firm dedicated to identifying the best franchise brands through in-depth analysis of franchisee satisfaction and performance. The survey is delivered electronically and via text to all franchisees in your system. 

Can any franchise brand participate in the awards? 

Yes, any franchise brand can participate as long as they meet the requirements set by Franchise Business Review. Participation involves providing access to current franchisees, who will then complete the anonymous survey (with the option of sharing their name if they choose).

Other requirements include: 

• Based in the U.S. or Canada
• Have at least 10 franchise owners open and operating for more than six months

What will my company receive as a participant of the Franchisee Satisfaction Awards?

All companies that participate receive their Franchise Satisfaction Index (FSI) score, which benchmarks your system against aggregate data from over 1,300 franchise brands. You’ll receive a snapshot report showing your benchmark score the first time you survey. If you choose to purchase your data, you’ll also receive access to our online analytics tool, where you can see detailed reports, read franchisee comments, and create your own custom reports.

Award winners will also receive a PR toolkit with award graphics to display on your website and promotional materials, a press release template, and other opportunities for promotion.

Why is a Franchisee Satisfaction award important for franchise brands? 

The Franchise Satisfaction Award signifies a strong franchisee-franchisor relationship and highlights a brand’s commitment to a positive and supportive environment. It can help attract new franchisees, accelerate the validation process, and solidify the brand’s reputation within the industry.

What if my company doesn’t make the list for the Franchisee 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.