MANILA, Philippines – With the success gained so far by the franchising sector as a business strategy for growth, the search for the country’s top franchise brands is now on.

This was announced by Atty. Leo Dominguez, chair of the 11th Franchise Excellence Awards (FEA), the highest award of distinction bestowed upon the best in the Philippine franchising sector. The award acknowledges the contributions of both the franchisors and franchisees to the growth of franchising in the country.

A program by the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), FEA, which is the “Oscars” of Philippine franchising and is part of the PFA’s efforts to promote franchising as a tool for economic development and nation-building through job-generation and enterprise-creation. PFA, now on its 16th year, is the pioneer and the premier franchise association in the country whose members include the top franchise brands operating in the Philippines, from micro to large, both homegrown and international in the food, retail and service sectors.

Atty. Dominguesz enumerates the categories at stake. Heading the list is the President’s Award which will recognize the Filipino franchises that have become benchmarks in overseas expansion. The awardee will be the country’s representative to the proposed Asia-Pacific Franchise Confederation (APFC) Franchise Award which will be given out in time for the opening of the APFC meeting in September at the Franchise Asia 2011. The winner of this award will join the representatives of the other APFC member-franchise countries which will also undergo selection by their respective country franchise association.

Other important categories include the Most Outstanding Filipino Franchise Award, the Most Promising Filipino Franchise Award, the International Master Franchise Award, and the Franchisee Award.