Candy Bouquet International CEO Receives the International Franchise Association's Bonny LeVine Award (3/01)

Candy Bouquet International President and CEO Margaret McEntire received the International Franchise Association's (IFA) Bonny LeVine award today during the group's 41st annual convention. The award recognizes McEntire's efforts to mentor other women in franchising.

IFA is the world's oldest and largest trade group for the Franchising business sector, which pumps an estimated $1 trillion into the U.S. economy each year. IFA members are franchisees, franchisors and suppliers operating in some 75 industries and more than 100 countries.

McEntire built her Candy Bouquet franchise to its current 508 stores in 37 countries and 48 states without benefit of prior business experience or a mentor. It was an experience that made a lasting impression, and that formed the basis of her franchisee training program.

At the core of her business philosophy is helping the company's franchisees succeed. Although her franchisees, 95-plus percent of whom are women and minorities, are spread around the world, McEntire maintains personal contact with each one by telephone or e-mail when they have questions or want to talk about the business.

McEntire's mentoring benefits not only the women in her company, but the community around her. She developed a concept called Rebuild America From Within, the goal of which is to infuse capital into inner cities across the U.S. by establishing franchised businesses there. She also developed a college tuition reimbursement program for her employees, as well as a welfare-to-work program. One young employee with two small children has left the welfare roles and will enter college in the fall, thanks to McEntire.

In addition, McEntire's Teach a Man to Fish program helps mentally disabled adults find meaningful work experiences by encouraging her franchisees to hire them as employees. The individuals receive on-the-job training, and raise funds for the organizations that provide housing and assistance to them.