In a remarkable acknowledgment of his contributions to the franchising industry, Dan Monaghan, founder of Clear Summit Group, has been named the recipient of the 2024 William Rosenberg Foundation Leadership Award. This prestigious accolade is named after the visionary behind Dunkin’ Donuts and the International Franchise Association (IFA). It celebrates individuals who have significantly advanced franchise education and outreach.
A Legacy of Leadership in Franchising
Dan Monaghan’s journey in franchising began at the young age of 19 as a franchisee for Dickie Dee. This experience ignited a passion that would define his career. In 1995, he established WSI, which evolved into one of the world’s largest digital marketing franchise organizations. A decade later, he founded Clear Summit Group (CSG), a business accelerator and investment firm dedicated to partnering with franchise and technology companies. Today, CSG oversees more than 1,000 franchise locations worldwide. These span various B2B and B2C sectors across five continents.
Monaghan’s commitment to the franchising community is evident through his active support of initiatives like the Franchise Ascension Initiative and the Open for Opportunity Campaign. Reflecting on the honor, Monaghan stated,
“Receiving the William Rosenberg Foundation Leadership Award is a humbling honor, made even more meaningful by the legends in franchising who have received this award before me.” He added, “Franchising has been my passion and life’s work, and I am deeply committed to fostering opportunities, breaking down barriers, and empowering individuals to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams.”
About the William Rosenberg Foundation Leadership Award
Established to honor William Rosenberg, the founder of Dunkin’ Donuts and a pioneer in the franchising industry, the William Rosenberg Foundation Leadership Award is presented annually by the IFA. The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to franchise education and outreach. Additionally, it embodies Rosenberg’s vision of franchising as a powerful force for economic opportunity. Past recipients have demonstrated exceptional leadership in promoting franchising and supporting the growth of franchise businesses globally.
Matt Haller, IFA President and CEO, praised Monaghan’s dedication, stating, “Dan Monaghan has committed his entire career to franchising – and given back in countless ways to ensure those opportunities exist for people from all walks of life through his commitment to the Foundation’s research, diversity, veterans and Franchising Gives Back programs.” Haller also highlighted Monaghan’s role in advancing research on the impact of the franchise model. He noted, “Dan has been an extraordinary leader for the IFA Foundation. Particularly in advancing groundbreaking research by Oxford Economics about the impact of the franchise model on the workforce, business owners, and the communities they serve.”
At the 65th IFA Annual Convention in Las Vegas, NV the William Rosenberg Foundation Leadership Award will be presented to Monaghan. This event will have moments to celebrate his exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to the franchising community.
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