FRANCHISE SYSTEM CATEGORY

FRANCHISOR OF THE YEAR

  • This award is open for franchise system registered as a FRANCHISOR under Section 6, Franchise Act 1998 (Amendment 2022). Franchise business has been in operation for at least 3 years. Franchisors who submit a nomination for this category are not eligible to apply for the Emerging Franchisor of the Year category. Three (3) winner will be awarded under this category.

 

EMERGING FRANCHISOR OF THE YEAR

  • This award is open for new franchise system registered as a FRANCHISOR under Section 6, Franchise Act 1998 (Amendment 2022). Franchise business has been in operation for at least 1 year and LESS THAN 5 YEARS. Franchisors who submit a nomination for this category are not eligible to apply for the Franchisor of the Year category. Three (3) winner will be awarded under this category. Previous winners are not qualified to submit the nomination form.

 

MASTER FRANCHISEE OF THE YEAR

  • This award is open for franchise system registered as a MASTER FRANCHISEE under Section 6A, Franchise Act 1998 (Amendment 2022). Franchise business has been in operation for at least 3 years. Three (3) winner will be awarded under this category.

INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISOR CATEGORY

INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISOR OF THE YEAR

  • This award is open for homegrown franchise system registered as a FRANCHISOR under Section 6, Franchise Act 1998 (Amendment 2022). Franchise business has been in operation for AT LEAST 5 YEARS. This award offered especially for homegrown franchisor that shows tremendous performance in EXPANDING their business internationally. Three (3) winner will be awarded under this category.

 

EMERGING INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISOR OF THE YEAR

  • This award is open for homegrown franchise system registered as a FRANCHISOR under Section 6, Franchise Act 1998 (Amendment 2022). Franchise business has been in operation for LESS THAN 5 YEARS. This award offered especially for homegrown franchisor that shows tremendous performance in EXPANDING their business internationally. Three (3) winner will be awarded under this category. Previous winners are not qualified to submit the nomination form.

FRANCHISEE CATEGORY

SINGLE-UNIT FRANCHISEE OF THE YEAR 

  • This award is open for franchisee registered with homegrown system only. Franchise business has been in operation for AT LEAST 3 YEARS and OWNS A SINGLE OUTLET.

 

MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE OF THE YEAR 

  • This award is open for franchisee registered with homegrown system only. Franchise business has been in operation for AT LEAST 3 YEARS and OWNS MORE THAN ONE OUTLET.

 

SINGLE-UNIT INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISEE OF THE YEAR 

  • This award is open for franchisee registered with FOREIGN FRANCHISE BRAND Franchise business has been in operation for AT LEAST 3 YEARS and OWNS A SINGLE OUTLET.

 

MULTI-UNIT INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISEE OF THE YEAR 

  • This award is open for franchisee registered with FOREIGN FRANCHISE BRAND Franchise business has been in operation for AT LEAST 3 YEARS and OWNS MORE THAN ONE OUTLET.

 

EMERGING FRANCHISEE OF THE YEAR

  • This award is open for franchisee registered with homegrown franchise system only. Franchise business has been in operation for at least 1 year and LESS THAN 5 YEARS. Previous winners are not qualified to submit the nomination form

 

EMERGING INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISEE OF THE YEAR

  • This award is open for franchisee to Foreign Franchise Brand. Franchise business has been in operation for at least 1 year and LESS THAN 5 YEARS. Previous winners are not qualified to submit the nomination form

OPEN CATEGORY

BEST FRANCHISE SHARED PROSPERITY
Previously known: Best franchise employer

  • This category open to all registered franchise systems in Malaysia, including franchisor, master franchisee, or franchisor/franchisee to foreign brand. Franchise business has been in operation for at least 3 years, with audited accounts for year 2023, 2024 and 2025. Award winners in 2023, 2024 and 2025 are not qualified to submit

 

BEST FRANCHISE INNOVATION

  • This category opens to all registered franchise system. The innovation that will be contested may include product innovation or service innovation or a combination of which have been implemented in Malaysia only. The innovation must be implemented in business operations in 2025. PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED INNOVATIONS ARE NOT QUALIFIED.

 

BEST FRANCHISE PARTNER

  • This category open to all Valid MFA members, not for franchisor, master franchisee or franchisee, but open to support institution, consultancy firm, lawyers, suppliers, and training provider. Franchise activities may include but not limited to training and development, consultancy, legal activities such as franchise registration, publicity, and significant contribution to the franchising industry in Malaysia. The activities or contribution must be implemented in 2025.


BEST FRANCHISE DIGITALISATION (New Award)

  • This category open to all registered franchise systems in Malaysia, including franchisor, master franchisee, or franchisor/franchisee to foreign brand. For franchise companies that implemented digital transformation initiatives and demonstrated clear impact in 2025. 


BEST FRANCHISE PRODUCTIVITY (New Award)

  • This category open to all registered franchise systems in Malaysia, including franchisor, master franchisee, or franchisor/franchisee to foreign brand. Suitable for franchise companies that improved productivity, operational efficiency and business performance through operational or system improvements in 2025.

 

ESG CATEGORY

BEST FRANCHISE SUSTAINABILITY

  • This category opens to all registered franchise system. Sustainable franchise activities may include but not limited to source of energy, raw materials, processing technology, green product, deliveries, green marketing, impact to the customers, and the impact to the society and country. The sustainable program and activities must be implemented in 2025.

 

BEST FRANCHISE CSR

  • This category opens to all registered franchise system. CSR activities address how a company treats external stakeholders such as customer, suppliers and community members and internal stakeholders such as employees. CSR may include but not limited to fair pay for employees, diversity, equity and inclusion programs, education, culture and heritage, community and social welfare, empowerment of women and opportunities for people with disabilities. The CSR activities must be implemented in business operations in 2025.

 

BEST FRANCHISE GOVERNANCE

  • This category opens to all registered franchise system. Franchise governance may include how a company developing and focusing policies on internal monitoring, controls, and practices to maintain compliance with world and government regulations, have industry best practices and corporate policies.

MEDIA CATEGORY

BEST FRANCHISE JOURNALIST

  • This category open to all journalist in Malaysia. Journalist must provide the evidence of their contribution to the franchising industry in Malaysia in 2025.

 

BEST FRANCHISE SOCIAL MEDIA

  • The Social Media account can be registered with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or TikTok or other social media platform. This category is open to independent individuals or media organizations only. The contents must be shared in 2025.

 

BEST FRANCHISE ARTICLE

  • This category is open to all residents of Malaysia. The article can be published in newspapers, periodicals, magazines, or on social media, and must have been published in 2025.