April 5, 2004

 

NSU's Cheryl Babcock Named One Of “20 To Watch” In 2004

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - Franchise Times has named Cheryl R. Babcock, CFE, director of the International Institute for Franchise Education in the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) one of the “20 to Watch” for 2004. Franchise Times is the franchise industry's leading monthly publication.

According to Nancy Weingartner, managing editor of Franchise News, “Our ‘20 to Watch' list is made up of people and trends we think are going to be doing some movin' and shakin'. In early 2005, we will revisit our predictions and see how we did.”

Franchise Times credits Babcock and the International Institute for Franchise Education (IIFE) with “raising the bar” for sophisticated franchise education. The article cites her teaching at the far ends of the globe: in Australia , Brazil , Finland, France, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, Slovenia and the United Kingdom . It also mentions Babcock's entrepreneurial spirit, illustrated in the innovative programs she has started for franchise professionals attending NSU's graduate level programs.

Babcock, also named to the list in 2001, was the only person in academia named in both 2001 and 2004. Other “20 to Watch” honorees include “Famous” Dave Anderson of Famous Dave's barbecue fame and who was unanimously confirmed by the Senate in early December 2003 to head the beleaguered Bureau of Indian Affairs; Neal Aronson, vice president of Roark Capital Group that has, to date, snapped up Carvel Corporation, Money Mailer and FASTSIGNS; Frank Belatti, CEO of AFC; Sid Feltenstein, chairman of the International Franchise Association; Charles Modell, ABA Program Chair; Sally Smith, president of the 227-unit Buffalo Wild Wings (BW3) chain; Fred Schwartz, president of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, one of the best organized and most powerful global franchisee associations; Martin Sprock of Raving Brands that is just getting ready to roll out its fifth casual-dining concept: salad, the newest offering will join Planet Smoothie, PJ's Coffee, Moe's Southwest Grill and Mama Fu's Noodle House; others on the list include Florida-based franchise systems Burger King and Arby's.