Jennifer Collins named 2026 Franchisee of the Year

Jennifer Collins, owner of Kidcreate Studio in Houston's Greater Heights, has been named the 2026 Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association (IFA), marking a significant achievement in her career and a recognition of her outstanding contributions to the community and her business.

Collins will be honored at the IFA26 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., from September 14 to 16. The award, presented by the IFA, acknowledges her exceptional performance in entrepreneurship, community outreach, workforce development, and service to others. Nominated by her brand, Collins was selected from a pool of top franchisees from IFA member brands across various industries.

“Franchisees of the Year exemplify what franchising is all about, individuals dedicated to the betterment of their communities and the success of their peers,” said Matt Haller, President and CEO of the IFA. “Jennifer’s leadership and commitment to creating opportunities for those around her set a high standard for other franchise owners.”

Collins’s journey to success began with a career in corporate loss prevention. A visit to her son’s preschool in Houston’s Oak Forest neighborhood inspired her to pivot towards early childhood education. She became a preschool director and, with her husband Brian, a former Air Force officer and Rice University EMBA graduate, opened Kidcreate Studio in 2010. The studio, located at 1223 W. 34th Street, Suite A-500, in Houston, serves families in the Heights, Oak Forest, and surrounding neighborhoods through weekly art classes, homeschool sessions, summer and no-school-day camps, single-visit workshops, and birthday parties. Additionally, the studio’s Mobile Studio program brings hands-on art instruction to local preschools, daycares, charter schools, and community organizations, providing access to art education for children who might not otherwise have it.

Beyond her studio, Collins serves as president of the Franchise Advisory Council for Kidcreate Studio, a role that allows her to represent studio owners nationwide to the brand’s leadership team. Her dedication to the franchise model is evident in her leadership and the positive impact she has had on the community.

“Great franchise systems thrive on the owners they attract and the businesses those owners build,” said Justin Nihiser, Managing Partner of Kidcreate Studio. “Jennifer is an exceptional operator who has not only built a successful studio but has also raised the bar for her peers.”

The recognition of Collins’s efforts comes at a time when franchising is celebrated for its role in job creation, economic growth, and entrepreneurial opportunities. According to the IFA, there are approximately 832,000 franchise establishments in the United States, providing nearly 8.8 million direct jobs and generating more than $907 billion in economic output. Franchising is known to offer higher wages and better benefits than non-franchised businesses, as well as greater entrepreneurial opportunities for minorities, women, veterans, and other underrepresented communities.

Collins will be honored at a luncheon on September 15, 2026, during the IFA26 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. The event will celebrate her commitment to making a difference both within her business and beyond.

“While national recognition is humbling, my greatest pride is that the impact of our studio is happening right here in the community I call home,” Collins said. “Our families are the people who support us and love what we do, and that connection is our motivation.”