Every year the International Franchise Association recognizes the owners who set the standard for the rest of their systems. This year, three of those awards went to Youth Enrichment Brands, one for each of three different brands. Dan Moore and Quinn Lukas (School of Rock Wexford and South Hills, Pittsburgh area), Jay and Danielle Mechtly (i9 Sports, Wilmington, NC), and Amy Albiero (SafeSplash Swim School + SwimLabs, Louisville, KY) have been named 2026 IFA Franchisees of the Year. The stories are different: two schools turned around, a market built from scratch, a single swim school that grew to three. The common thread is owners whose impact reaches well past their own locations. All five will be recognized at the IFA26 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., September 14 to 16.

The initiative launches alongside the publication of Reclaiming Childhood in the Digital Age: A Manifesto for Real-World Development by Youth Enrichment Brands CEO Rob Price, available now at youthenrichmentbrands.com/manifesto. Price highlights the complexity of children growing up at the intersection of two powerful forces. The first is technology engineered to maximize attention at the expense of development. The second is a cultural pressure to measure their worth by performance and achievement. It calls on parents, educators, and policymakers to rebuild what has been lost, including the programs, practices, and facilities that help children develop the life skills that no device can teach.

‍Elevating Access and Engagement Across US Sports Camps, SafeSplash Swim School, i9 Sports, and School of Rock“As we enter 2026, we’re excited to build on this momentum, continue innovating, and empower even more young people to learn, play, and thrive.”— Elliot Schiffer, Chief Development Officer of Youth Enrichment Brands