The International Franchise Association (IFA) named Aaron Wiswell, owner of Aroma Joe’s locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Florida, as a 2026 Franchisee of the Year. Wiswell was honored at the IFA26 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., for being an outstanding franchise owner with excellence in entrepreneurship, community outreach, workforce development, and service to others.
“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.
The Franchisee of the Year awards recognize leading franchise owners for their community involvement, fostering a strong workforce, assisting their fellow franchisees when called upon, and embodying the entrepreneurial spirit.
Aaron Wiswell’s journey with Aroma Joe's began nearly a decade ago, when he opened and successfully operated two locations on his own. In 2022, he joined forces with business partner Bob Brennan, and together they have built one of the most dynamic development partnerships in the Aroma Joe’s system. Wiswell currently owns and operates 16 Aroma Joe's locations, the majority in partnership with Brennan.
What makes Wiswell’s story especially meaningful is that it is, at its heart, a family story. Wiswell and his wife, Alyssa, along with their now-adult children, Ayden and Avery, are actively involved in day-to-day operations, carrying forward the values of hard work and togetherness that built the Aroma Joe’s brand from the ground up. This family team is fully dedicated to Aroma Joe’s core values, shown through their local charitable giving, most notably to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, among dozens of others.