Winning Over a Year of Public Relations Victory Through Award Participation in Your Franchise
Business awards in the year 2025 hold a heightened importance, serving as platforms that recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements in various sectors. These awards fuel local economies, encourage innovation, sustainability, inclusive growth, and community impact, and their importance is arguably greater now than ever before due to increasing global competition, the need for credibility, and the emphasis on sustainable and inclusive business practices.
Recognition of Impact and Values
The 2025 King County Executive’s Small Business Awards, for instance, honour small businesses that excel in hiring, workforce development, sustainability, and community strengthening, highlighting the growing importance of values-driven business practices.
Catalyst for Growth and Investment
Awards like the Waterford Business Awards promote a city as a prime place to invest and conduct business, influencing regional economic development and global business perceptions.
National and International Prestige
The ET MSME Awards 2025 in India emphasise not just current success but future potential, assessing businesses comprehensively—not only financials but innovation, sustainability, adaptation, and social impact. This recognition acts as a powerful endorsement, akin to having a business development team, which can attract investors, partners, and customers.
Merit-Based Global Recognition
Awards such as the Globee® Awards focus on merit and innovation in technology, reflecting the critical role of innovation leadership in today’s markets.
Wide Scope and Diversity
Award categories increasingly cover diverse dimensions such as women-owned, minority-owned businesses, green businesses, and creative economy players, reflecting the evolution of business values in 2025 towards inclusivity and sustainability.
Why They Are More Important Now
Businesses face intensified competition and the challenge of standing out globally, making awards valuable benchmarks and branding tools. Consumers and investors increasingly seek businesses with strong social and environmental responsibility, areas often emphasised by modern awards programs. Recognition from respected awards can enhance credibility, open new markets, attract talent, and generate media and investor interest.
The BFA Awards: The 'Oscars' of the Franchising World
The British Franchise Association (BFA) awards, often referred to as the 'Oscars' of the franchising world, are in their 36th year. With over 330 franchisor and 1,800 franchisee members, the BFA is the self-regulatory body for franchising in the UK, established in 1977. The BFA awards have 14 categories, ranging from individual franchisee recognition to 'Franchisor of the Year (Established)'.
Winning a BFA award can provide a 12-month PR boost that money can't buy, regardless of the industry or size of the business. Sarah Cressall OBE, founder of The Creation Station, won the 2024 Lifestyle Brand Award and reported that the win boosted their credibility, opened new doors, and gave their network a lift in value and recognition. John Preston, managing director of Mathnasium UK, won 'Franchisor of the Year - Expanding' in 2024 and described the win as a defining moment for their brand. Lucy Campbell, CEO of Right at Home UK, won Franchisor of the Year (Established) in 2024 and stated that the win strengthened their credibility and opened new conversations.
Responding quickly and clearly to requests for additional information from the BFA awards organisers is important to demonstrate professionalism. Winning the BFA awards can have transformative effects on brand awareness and credibility. Winning an award from a well-respected organisation like the BFA can help a company rise above digital 'noise' and demonstrate their success.
The BFA awards receive over 130 entries and involve more than 75 brands. The selection process for the BFA awards takes five people ten days and almost 300 hours. The BFA has top tips for standing out, including reading category requirements carefully, providing data, not exceeding the word count, attending live judging sessions, and communicating effectively with the awards organisers. Failing to follow these tips, such as not reading the instructions properly or missing a live judging session, can result in disqualification.
In sum, business awards in 2025 serve as critical platforms for validation, growth, and differentiation, more pivotal than ever due to evolving business environments and stakeholder expectations.
- The 2025 King County Executive’s Small Business Awards recognize small businesses that excel in values-driven practices, signifying the growing importance of such focus.
- Awards like the Waterford Business Awards, by promoting a city as a prime investment and business location, influence regional economic development and global business perceptions.
- The ET MSME Awards 2025 in India evaluate businesses not just on current success but future potential, serving as a powerful endorsement that attracts investors, partners, and customers.
- Globee® Awards, focusing on merit and innovation in technology, reflect the critical role of innovation leadership in today’s competitive markets.
- The British Franchise Association (BFA) awards, considered the 'Oscars' of the franchising world, provide a 12-month PR boost for winners, enhancing their credibility, opening new opportunities, and boosting brand awareness.
