Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue III, 2011 | Page 40

“The relationship between the franchisor and the
franchisee is really a sort of partnership; one can’t
be successful unless the other succeeds as well.”
and the franchisee is really a sort of partnership; one can’t be
successful unless the other succeeds as well.”
Cohen also was the first franchisee to earn the IFA Educational Foundation’s CFE designation, and the second to
assume the chairmanship of the IFA Board of Directors.
Cohen (whose nickname originated during his pharmacy
school days) made history again earlier this year when he
became the first franchisee inducted into the IFA’s Hall of
Fame. The award, presented to Cohen at the IFA’s annual
convention, recognizes individuals who have contributed to
the advancement of the IFA and the franchising community.
“The experience was quite humbling. I just shook my head
and wondered how I got my picture hanging next to those
folks [Dave Thomas, Ray Kroc, Fred DeLuca, and Col. Har-

PERSONAL
Key accomplishments: Being the first-ever franchisee inducted into the
IFA’s Hall of Fame (2011), the first-ever franchisee to earn the designation of
Certified Franchise Executive from the IFA’s Educational Foundation, the second
franchisee in history to assume the chairmanship of the IFA Board of Directors,
the first recipient of the Great American Cookies Hall of Fame Award (2011), a
recipient of the Multi-Unit Franchisee magazine MVP Award (2011)
Biggest mistake: Selling the company in 1998.
Smartest mistake: Selling the company in 1998.
How do you spend a typical day? Every day is different. None are
typical.
Work week: Monday through Saturday, although I’ve been trying lately to
take Saturdays off.
Favorite fun activities: Cooking, collecting wine, and visiting wine country.
Exercise/workout: Who has time?
Favorite tech toys: All of them, although currently my iPad.
What are you reading? Tom Clancy’s Dead or Alive and Decision Points by
George W. Bush
Do you have a favorite quote/advice? Do the right thing!
Best advice you ever got: The people you meet on the way up are the
same people you meet on the way down.
Formative influences/events: So many people have influenced me. Going back to my retail days, two brothers owned the drugstore chain I started with
years ago in Savannah, Georgia. The younger brother, Mark Hacken, who is now
retired and living in California, taught me the meaning of integrity, honesty and
treating people fairly. He treated every salesperson who showed up with respect,
even if he had no intention of buying from them. That