“After more than 17 years as a travel advisor with Dream Vacations, being nominated and then chosen to receive this award is a humbling experience,” said Captain Mark Furlan, Dream Vacations franchise owner and corporate ambassador of veteran affairs. “With the support and encouragement of our Dream Vacations headquarters staff in Florida I was able to grow my niche travel business by focusing on custom groups for Military Veterans and Faith-Based Pilgrimages, while still assisting families and individuals in planning their River Cruises and ‘dream vacations’.”
From L to R: David Barr, IFA Chair of the Board, Chairman of PMTD Restaurants and Managing Director of Franworth; Bob and Bobbye Haupt, CruiseOne Franchise Owners; and Tom Baber, Franchise Owner of Money Mailer of Mercer, Somerset County, franchisee with IHOP, and Chair of the IFA Franchisee Forum.
The Franchisee of the Year Award, sponsored by IFA’s partner Paychex, recognizes leading franchisees who exemplify at least one of IFA’s “Open for Opportunity” core pillars: Community, Workforce, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Veterans.
“Mark and Kathy are engaged franchise owners who have grown their franchise by focusing on niche travel opportunities and we are thrilled to have them represent Dream Vacations,” said Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager for Dream Vacations. “They exemplify what it takes to be a successful franchise owner – active in their community, mentors and supporters of veterans everywhere, as well as other travel advisors within the network.”
"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 the Furlans, represent some of the best entrepreneurs in the country, and we are proud to recognize their contributions to their communities, their employees, and all those they serve.”
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.
