Coverall® Franchised Business Owners Recognized For Outstanding Contributions To Franchising

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Coverall North America, Inc. franchised business owners Adam Schoenfeld and Sebastian Pica of Long Island's Metro Cleaning Solutions, Inc. were honored by the International Franchising Association (IFA) as Franchisees of the Year at the 15^th Annual IFA Public Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C.

Video: http://blog.coverall.com/coverall-franchisees-win-ifa-award/

Franchise owner-operators representing 300 franchise systems were recognized for their outstanding performance and the contributions they have made to enhance the growth and development of the franchising industry during the annual conference. Currently, there are 825,000 franchise establishments in the U.S. supporting nearly 18 million jobs and providing $2.1 trillion in economic output.

More than 8,000 Coverall franchised businesses across the U.S. help improve the health and wellness of more than 35,000 customer facilities, providing jobs and a positive economic impact to their local communities. Metro Cleaning Solutions, Inc. is a prime example of how franchisees can develop and maintain successful franchised businesses through hard work and dedication to customer service.

Schoenfeld and Pica started Metro Cleaning Solutions, Inc. because they wanted to be their own bosses. After years of working for others, they met another Coverall franchisee who encouraged them to consider Coverall.

"It was an easy decision," said Schoenfeld. "The Coverall franchisee we met had a strong business mind and a disciplined work ethic just like we did. We attended the Coverall sales presentation and from that moment we were all in. Six years and more than 100 customers later, we know it was the right decision to start our own business."

The pair met when Schoenfeld placed an ad looking for a guitar player for his band. Both lifelong musicians, they now can make music their hobby while running their Coverall Franchised Business. Splitting their accounts into two territories, in Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties, they service their clients and market their business but with a great deal of balance.

"We have worked hard to get where we are," added Pica. "Coverall already had the tracks laid for us; we just put the time in. The support we get to service our customers is exceptional and we are proud to represent all of the outstanding franchisees at this year's conference."

The Franchisee of the Year Award is a major component of the IFA's Public Affairs Conference, which brings more than 400 franchised business leaders together in Washington, D.C. to carry the key messages of franchising to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. During the two-day event held Sept. 16-17, franchise industry leaders met with more than 200 congressional office holders about issues important to the future of franchising such as tax certainty, health care and labor relations.

The strength of the U.S. economy significantly relies on the hard work of franchisees," said IFA president & CEO Steve Caldeira, CFE. "IFA is proud to recognize the outstanding efforts of Adam Schoenfeld and Sebastian Pica of Long Island's Metro Cleaning Solutions, Inc. with the Franchisee of the Year Award and thank them for their work in the promotion of franchising as well as for their daily contributions that not only showcase how local business owners propel the economy, but also foster community ties throughout the U.S."

Also attending the conference were Coverall Chief Operating Officer, Jim Congrove and Chief Legal Officer, Les Wharton. Wharton, a long-time IFA leader, is currently the Vice Chair of the IFA Legal/Legislative Committee and has served as the chair of that committee in the past. He chaired the IFA Legal Symposium Task Group in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and has been a speaker at the symposium and at the IFA Annual Convention many times during the years. He testified on IFA's behalf relating to revision of the FTC rule on franchising before a Congressional sub-committee.

"We are thrilled the IFA recognized Adam and Sebastian who built their business by working hard and dedicating themselves to learning the commercial cleaning industry," said Rick Ascolese, CEO of Coverall. "Metro Cleaning Solutions, Inc. is a great example of franchisees who have grown their business by listening to their customers' needs and making sure they did everything they could to meet them. We are proud they are representing the more than 8,000 Coverall Franchised Business Owners."

About the International Franchise Association
The International Franchise Association is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. Celebrating 50 years of excellence, education and advocacy, IFA protects, enhances and promotes franchising through government relations, public relations and educational programs. Through its awareness campaign highlighting the theme, Franchising: Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time, IFA promotes the nearly 18 million jobs and $2.1 trillion of economic activity generated by franchising. IFA members include franchise companies in over 90 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development.

About Coverall North America, Inc.
Founded in 1985, Coverall North America, Inc., licenses its Franchised Business Owners to operate as independent business owners in the commercial cleaning industry. In 2008, the company launched its Coverall^® Program with an emphasis on helping to improve the cleanliness, health and wellness of facilities. This unique, environmentally-sound Program combines innovative cleaning technologies and tools, hospital-grade disinfectants, professional training programs, customer support and communication, and a passion for healthy cleaning to do one thing: remove the maximum amount of dirt and germs as efficiently as possible. Today, the Coverall^® System supports more than 8,000 Franchised Businesses that provide the Coverall Program to more than 35,000 customers across 90 markets across the United States and Internationally. For more information, visit www.coverall.com.

Contacts:
Matt Haller, IFA, 202-662-0770
Jenna Weisbord, IFA, 202-662-0766
[email protected]
[email protected]
or
Diego Romero, Lavidge, 480-648-7562
[email protected]

SOURCE Coverall North America, Inc.