STEVE SIEGEL NAMED TO THE INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME

October 24, 2014

WASHINGTON ― International Franchise Association past Chairman Steve Siegel, managing partner of Brookside Consulting, Thornton, NH, has been named to the IFA Hall of Fame and will receive the award during the IFA 55th Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Feb. 15-18, 2015.

“Steve has been an integral member of IFA’s growth and success, particularly in terms of franchisee integration into the organization for many years. His contribution to the franchise industry is built on solid experience and dedication which has helped to make the franchise industry and the IFA stronger today,” said IFA Chairman Steve Joyce, president & CEO of Choice Hotels International. “We applaud him on this well-deserved recognition.”

The Hall of Fame Award is the oldest and most prestigious award conferred by the IFA and is presented to an IFA member who exemplifies the best of franchising and has made significant contributions to the advancement of franchising and the franchising community.

Siegel was chosen for the Hall of Fame Award for his extraordinary contributions to franchising and to the franchising community, including serving as the first franchisee chairman of the IFA. As a founding member and an early chairman of the Franchise Advisory Council, he helped to lead the effort to integrate franchisees into all aspects of IFA, and served as the primary delegate on behalf of the franchisees. As Chairman in 2002, he worked to fully fund the Legislative Reserve Fund to help the industry face the many regulatory and legislative challenges and to implement the first Economic Impact Study of the franchise industry in the U.S., to help educate lawmakers and the public about the importance of franchising to the economy.

In addition to his work as IFA Chairman, Siegel has served as the IFA’s Vice Chairman of the Franchise Relations Committee, Chairman of the Awards Committee, Chairman of the Past Chairman’s Committee, Chairman of the Nominating Committee and Chairman of the Franchisee Forum. He has also served on the Convention Committee, the Long Range Planning Committee and the Legal Legislative Committee. Siegel has received several honors and awards from the franchising community including, IFA’s Distinguished Achievement Award, Dunkin’ Donuts NEZAC Teamwork and Leadership Award, and Dunkin’ Donuts Recognition Award for Service on the Dunkin’ Donuts Franchise Owner Advisory Council. He also served for several years as President of the Dunkin’ Donuts Independent Franchise Owners Association.

Siegel began his career as an attorney in 1968 and since that time he has had broad experience in both the franchising and business worlds. He served as President, Chief Executive Officer and an owner from 1989 to 2004 of Watermark Donut Company, a large Dunkin’ Donuts franchise system in Boston. Prior to that, he was Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise system in London. From 1994 to 2001, Mr. Siegel held executive leadership positions at Filene’s Basement, including Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Mr. Siegel currently is a Senior Advisor to Irving Place Capital and to the Riverside Company and serves as a Director of The Dwyer Group, Pet Supplies Plus, Adventures In Advertising and It’s Just Lunch. He also has served as a Member of several Advisory Boards including, the Rosenberg International Center of Franchising and the Bowdoin College Alumni Council. Siegel holds a J.D. from New York University School of Law and an A.B. in Economics, cum laude, from Bowdoin College.

Siegel has made substantial financial contributions to his community, as well as commitments of his time. His vast contributions include a capital contribution to the IFA Educational Foundation and, serving as past Chairman of the American Cancer Society Annual Drive in the western suburbs of Boston. He lead the Filene’s Basement Annual Charitable Giving Program and served as a member of the Dunkin’ Donuts committee responsible for charitable giving and was responsible for charitable giving by Watermark Donut Company. In addition, he established the Steve and Judy Siegel Family Scholarship Fund at Bowdoin College to benefit needy students in rural counties of New Hampshire.