If President Obama decided to name an Ambassador of Franchising, John "JD" Draper, with his dapper attire, mile-wide smile, and booming voice would surely make the "short list" of top candidates.

You might assume that Jo McCabe has a background in home repairs. The co-owner of Mr. Handyman and the system's 2010 Franchisee of the Year, serves the Prince William and southern Fairfax counties in Virginia.

When Brandon Jones was in the third grade, his teacher asked the class to write about what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Kelly Saxton remembers his very first job flipping burgers at his grandfather's diner in South Hutchinson, Kansas.

Jay Staggs is sailing high these days with his EagleRider motorcycle rental franchise in Washington, DC.

Just a couple of years ago Tom McDonald was a Burger King franchisee worried about the brand's need to keep up with the times. But he felt like no one was listening to his concerns.

Richard Martinez and his brother George served together during the first Gulf War. Now the two are serving together in a different kind of endeavor - franchising.

David Grimaud grew up in the car repair business. His father, Joe, operated a Midas shop in Alexandria, La., where David spent many days working as a teenager.

Don Copus likes to roll up his sleeves and get in the game with his employees, literally.

Kevin and Laurel Wilkerson are Marco's Pizza franchisees in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. They like to do things together.