Jennifer Collins of Kidcreate Studio Named IFA Franchisee of the Year

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 2026 // PRNewswire // -- The International Franchise Association (IFA) today named Jennifer Collins, owner of Kidcreate Studio in Houston (Greater Heights), as a 2026 Franchisee of the Year. Collins will be honored at the IFA26 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., Sept. 14-16, for achievements in entrepreneurship, community outreach, workforce development, and service to others. The Franchisee of the Year awards recognize franchise owners from IFA member brands across industries and communities.

"Franchisees of the Year demonstrate what franchising is all about – individuals who have committed their lives and careers to the betterment of those around them, building something bigger than themselves," said Matt Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. ""Through their leadership, they create jobs and build careers, give back to their communities, and support other franchisees, all while exemplifying the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of franchising. We are proud to recognize Jennifer with IFA's highest honor for individual franchisees and celebrate her commitment to making a difference both within her business and beyond."</p>

The Franchisee of the Year awards recognize franchise owners for their community involvement, fostering a strong workforce, assisting their fellow franchisees when called upon, and embodying the entrepreneurial spirit. Their outstanding performance and contributions help strengthen not only their business but also the entire franchise business model.

"Our studio has never been just about art," said Collins. "It's a safe space where children are encouraged to create, experiment, and grow, leaving with a newfound sense of confidence. While national recognition is humbling, my greatest pride is that this impact is happening right here in the community I call home. Our families are so much more than just customers – they are the people who support us and love what we do, and that connection is our motivation."

A Houston native raised in Oak Forest, Collins spent 13 years in corporate loss prevention before a visit to her son's preschool redirected her career toward early childhood education. She became a preschool director, and she and her husband, Brian Collins – a former Air Force officer and Rice University EMBA graduate – went on to open their Kidcreate Studio on West 34th Street. The couple has two sons, Preston and Mason, who Collins credits as the original inspiration for the business.

Today the studio serves families across the Heights, Oak Forest, Garden Oaks, and surrounding neighborhoods through weekly art classes, homeschool sessions, summer and no-school-day camps, single-visit workshops, and birthday parties. Its Mobile Studio program brings hands-on art instruction directly to area preschools, daycares, charter schools, and community organizations – reaching children who might not otherwise have access to a dedicated art class.

Beyond her own studio, Collins serves as president of Kidcreate Studio's Franchise Advisory Council, the body that represents studio owners nationwide to the brand's leadership team.

"Great franchise systems are measured by the owners they attract and the businesses those owners build in their own communities," said Justin Nihiser, Managing Partner of Kidcreate Studio. "Jennifer is exactly the kind of operator every brand hopes for. She runs an excellent studio, she has raised the bar for her peers as Franchise Advisory Council president, and she has done all of it while keeping Greater Heights families at the center of the work."

There are approximately 832,000 franchise establishments across the U.S., providing nearly 8.8 million direct jobs and generating more than $907 billion in economic output. According to Oxford Economics, franchising on average provides higher wages and better benefits than non-franchised businesses, as well as greater entrepreneurial opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, and other underrepresented communities.

The recipients will be honored at a luncheon on Sept. 15, 2026, and throughout the IFA26 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. next month.

SOURCE Kidcreate Studio

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