Don Dwyer Receives Posthumous Election to Franchise Hall of Fame

The late Don Dwyer, Sr., founder of The Dwyer Group, Waco, TX, has been named to the International Franchise Association’s Hall of Fame.
After a short stint in the military, Dwyer worked as a Hollywood talent agent before purchasing his first franchise to market and sell management and motivational materials.
The franchisor recognized Dwyer’s sharp business acumen and brought him to the home office in Waco, where he quickly rose to the position of senior vice president.
Dwyer soon created his own franchise, Rainbow International Carpet Dyeing Cleaning Co., which became one of the world’s largest companies of its kind and the flagship of The Dwyer Group.
The parent company soon encompassed a variety of franchises, both through acquisitions and start-ups, which catered to home services and commercial businesses. By 1993, Dwyer realized a lifelong dream when he took the company public on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation system. Today, The Dwyer Group offers brands including Mr. Rooter (Drain Doctor™ in the U.K.), Glass Doctor, Mr. Electric, Aire Serv, Mr. Appliance, Rainbow, and associate company DreamMaker Bath Kitchen, all part of a franchise system that includes more than 1,300 locations worldwide.
Dwyer’s contributions to the franchising sector include establishment of the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative (VetFran) in 1991 through which franchise companies offered financial incentives to veterans. IFA re-established the program in 2002 and more than 600 veterans have become franchisees since then. Dwyer also served on the IFA board of directors and received numerous awards.
In attendance to accept the Hall of Fame award on Dwyer’s behalf were several of his children: Dina Dwyer-Owens, president and CEO of The Dwyer Group; Debbie Wright-Hood, chief administrative officer of The Dwyer Group; Donald Dwyer, Jr., director of international operations for The Dwyer Group; and Doug Dwyer, owner and president of DreamMaker Bath Kitchen.
IFA is world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising. It bestowed its highest honors during its 47th annual convention in Las Vegas, NV.
The association’s members operate in more than 75 industries and in more than 100 countries.