ABOUT US

About
The Irish Franchise Association

The Irish Franchise Association is the only self-regulatory body within the Irish franchise sector, with a standards based approach to its membership. As a voluntary body we don’t have the resources to regulate the industry overall. However, we do regulate our members and accredit them only when we are satisfied that the minimum best practice standards have been achieved and our members subscribe to the European Code of Ethics on franchising.

Activities

  • Accrediting members and regulating standards of membership.
  • Promoting the franchise sector.
  • Running the annual Irish Franchise Awards.
  • Delivering information member webinars and seminars/roadshows on key topics and challenges within franchising.
  • Facilitating Franchisor Forums and focus groups throughout the year.
  • Securing commercial sponsorship for the Association’s activities.
  • Holding an AGM and members meeting annually.
  • Hosting and regularly updating information content on our website.
  • Sharing of franchise news and stories on our social media channels.
  • Introduce members to new franchise concepts entering the Irish market.
  • Refer online franchise enquiries to our member franchisors.
  • Hold regular board meetings in line with the Association’s constitution.
  • Liaise with various commercial services divisions of International Departments of Commerce.

Governance & Board of Directors

The Board of Directors oversees the operation of the Irish Franchise Association and is made up of fully paid up members of the Association. The board members deal with developing the strategy for the Association and mobilising resource to deliver on that strategy. They oversee the financial management of the Associations activities and are responsible for the governance of those financial activities. Our current board composition is as follows:

DAVID KILLEEN

Chief Executive Officer

David Killeen is managing partner of Killeen & Associates, franchise specialists. He holds a B.Comm from UCD, Diploma in Strategic Planning through the IMI and is a graduate member of the IITD. Killeen & Associates provide a complete consultancy services to businesses considering franchising as a possible strategy to scale their business.

BARRY SISK

Chairperson

Barry Sisk is Managing Director of FWS Consulting, a consulting business focusing on business structures and expansion. He is also a managing partner with KilleenSisk, a business consultancy firm specialising in franchising, business systemisation and growth strategies.


He is an experienced executive with over 25 years management expertise in the franchise sector including working with McDonald’s corporate as Head of Franchise for Ireland and Musgrave as franchise development manager. Barry has gained market leading expertise working alongside franchise business owners through supporting them in developing their business and teams to manage multisite units and to grow their business significantly.

BRIAN LEE

Director

Brian Lee is one of Ireland’s most well respected and exciting entrepreneurs. From an early age, Brian has shown a flair for enterprise that has seen him start and grow a range of successful businesses in property, retail and fitness.

 

Starting with one unit on Dublin’s Baggot St. in 2012, Freshly Chopped has been one of Ireland’s most successful start-ups. In his role as CEO, Brian has overseen all elements of the brand’s stellar growth throughout Ireland, the UK and Cyprus.

 

Brian’s most recent venture NEAT Pizza, with initial locations in Smithfield and Fairview. NEAT offers authentic Neapolitan stone baked pizzas & the concept is underpinned by a commitment to improving the lives of those within the local communities.

SHABU MANI

Director

Shabu Mani is the Co-founder of Camile Thai Kitchen. He has worked in small and medium-sized companies in Ireland and the Middle East. He is currently the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Franchising for the group. Camile has over 40 restaurants in operation across Ireland, UK, and the US and the group have also launched a new Indian Delivery / Take out franchise offering called Thindi.

JIM MULQUEEN

Director

Jim Mulqueen is founder and CEO of Montanum Advisory, a boutique M&A advisory business. He is an experienced corporate financier who has spent more than 25 years advising on corporate funding and M&A transactions, working as a partner for more than 20 years in RSM Farrell Grant Sparks and Grant Thornton. He also served as managing partner of RSM Farrell Grant Sparks from 2009 to 2015. Jim has extensive non-executive director experience including the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, Leopardstown Racecourse, the Netwatch advisory board and the RSM International global accountancy network board..

JOHN GREEN

Director

John Green is Master Franchisee, Ireland, for Chem-Dry® the largest Carpet Cleaning Franchise in the world, offering Green Certified Carpet, Upholstery, Tile & Grout and Wood Floor cleaning services to Residential and Commercial clients in 57 countries worldwide. Together with his brother Pat, he acquired the licence in 1989.

CAROLINE WALLACE

Director

Caroline Wallace is a multi-award-winning MD of two franchise companies.  She is best known for her role as franchisor with The Zip Yard Ireland but has over 20 years’ experience in best practice franchising through her family business Recognition Express which has been supplying the Irish hospitality, retail & healthcare Industry with name badges, ID cards & promotional items since 1988. 


Wallace opened the first The Zip Yard store in her hometown of Limerick in 2009 and has used the unit as a training ground for new franchise owners, as well as, a testing centre for new services and products.  The company has fast become the first and only chain of clothing alterations boutiques in Ireland.  The Zip Yard employs more than 150 people across its 25 outlets nationally and has further plans for expansion in 2022.

KARL FITZPATRICK

Director

Karl Fitzpatrick is the Master Franchisee of Bricks 4 Kidz in Ireland. Bricks 4 Kidz is the world’s leader in the provision of educational play programmes for children. He is the Managing Director of Chevron Training & Recruitment, one of Ireland’s largest private training providers. Karl is also the President of Wexford Chamber of Commerce and the presenter of Business Matters, South East Radio’s flagship business programme.

JUSTIN GREEN

Director

Justin Green is recognised as a world leader in international public relations, marketing and the communications profession. He is CEO of Wide Awake Communications Ireland and  President & CEO of Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management.


His global leadership was recognised in 2019 by the Public Relations Society of America with their Lifetime Achievement Award in International Public Relations and by the European Institute of Communications with their Lifetime Achievement for Excellence in Public Relations Award. In January 2021, the Public Relations Society of Kenya awarded Justin their World Excellence in Public Relations Award. 


As part of his professional leadership, he has created and wrote a number of acclaimed publications, most notably ‘Let’s Celebrate’ which examined the cultural and economic impact of live entertainment. This work was recognized by the President of Ireland. 

DONAL HEALY

Director

Donal Healy is Director and Co-Owner of Munster Tool Co. The business was established in 1980 and has its headquarters and distribution Centre in Mallow.

Special Advisors

Special advisors to the Irish Franchise Association

JOHN LANE

Legal Advisor

John trained as a solicitor in Cork City with a leading legal practice and worked there for a year after qualifying. He then moved to Dublin and worked with a boutique commercial law firm for a few years, where he gained significant commercial experience, before returning to Cork and joining the firm of Holohan Lane LLP.


He has wide experience and expertise in all areas of commercial law, property law and intellectual property

TOBIAS LUKASCHEK

Project Advisor

Tobi has 10+ years experience in franchising & business development in the restaurant industry working for the Irish-owned Rocket Restaurants Group of 50+ restaurants across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Germany. Tobi holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in International Business from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. Born in Germany, Tobi spent many years living in Ireland before returning to Germany in 2021. 

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