U. Gary Charlwood gets IFA Hall of Fame Honour
February 10, 2008: U. Gary Charlwood, became the first Canadian to be named to the International Franchise Association's (IFA) Hall of Fame, at the association's 48th annual convention in Orlando, FL, yesterday.
The IFA, whose members operate in more than 80 industries and 100 countries, only names one person each year to its Hall of Fame, which was first created 30 years ago. Charlwood joins an impressive roll call of previous Hall of Fame inductees, including Fred DeLuca (Subway Restaurants), Ray Kroc (McDonald's), Dave Thomas (Wendy's), Palmer Waslein (7-11), and Henry Block (H&R Block).
"It's a huge honour to accept this award, especially considering who has stood here before me - franchising heroes and giants in our field," said Charlwood. "I look forward to the generations to come that will prove franchise organizations can be agents for change in our society."
Over the past three decades, Charlwood has guided the growth of two of the world's leading franchise businesses in Uniglobe Travel International and CENTURY 21 Canada. Since 1975, Charlwood has grown CENTURY 21 into one of Canada's real estate leaders with more than 400 locations and 6,700 sales people. Since founding Uniglobe Travel International in 1980, Charlwood has guided the company's growth to the point where it is the world's largest single-brand travel franchise company, with more than 700 locations in 33 countries worldwide.
The Charlwood Pacific Group of companies also includes Centum Financial Group Inc. - one of Canada's fastest growing mortgage broker networks, which has more than 170 franchise locations and 1,400 agents. In less than five years, CENTUM has become one of the top three mortgage broker networks in Canada.
"Charlwood has advanced the principles of franchising throughout each of his organizations and expanded them internationally," said IFA spokesperson, Terry Hill. "The companies he chairs represent more than 1,700 franchised locations worldwide."
The IFA is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising. Its annual Hall of Fame award honours those who have made significant contributions toward the advancement of the industry. In 1991, Charlwood was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the association.
