FirstLight Home Care Owner-Operator Awarded Franchisee of the Year by International Franchise Association

CINCINNATI, OHIO – Feb. 19, 2024 – The International Franchise Association (IFA) today named Mark Paretchan, owner of FirstLight Home Care of Marin County and FirstLight Home Care of Sonoma County in California as a 2023 Franchisee of the Year. Paretchan was honored at the 64^th IFA Annual Convention in Phoenix, Ariz., for being an outstanding franchise establishment owner-operator.

“Franchisees of the Year exemplify what franchising is all about – providing opportunity, serving others, and fulfilling the American Dream,” said Matthew Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “We are proud to recognize Mark Paretchan with the highest honor IFA awards to individual franchisees, and I have no doubt his work is changing lives and making a lasting community impact.”

The Franchisee of the Year Award recognizes leading franchise owners from IFA member brands whose outstanding performance and contributions help protect, enhance, and promote the franchise business model. Nominated by their parent company, individuals are selected for their involvement in their communities, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit, fostering a strong and healthy culture with their workforce, and assisting their fellow franchisees when called upon.

Paretchan has an incredible team of dedicated caregivers who consistently deliver compassionate care to clients and families. He has been helping people in his local communities for nearly 10 years. He also has experience as a family caregiver, taking care of his 103-year-old grandmother to ensure she had the support she needed as she aged.

“Mark has been focused on living the FirstLight mission and core values, and it truly shows in the culture of care he has created in his local office,” said Glee McAnanly, FirstLight Home Care President and CEO. “He appreciates his team and treats them like family. His philosophy is if you show your caregivers respect and focus on their happiness and well-being, you will consistently have happy clients.”

There are approximately 806,000 franchised businesses across the U.S., providing over 8.7 million direct jobs and generating over $858 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. 

About the International Franchise Association

Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the approximately 806,270 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.7 million direct jobs, $858.5 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.

About FirstLight Home Care

FirstLight Home Care, a leading provider of home care services, is a lifeline for seniors, veterans, adults with disabilities, those living with dementia, and anyone 18 and older who needs care in the place they call home. FirstLight exists to help people have their best day, every day. The company’s mission is to provide compassionate home care so that all families who are served have peace of mind knowing their loved ones are getting the support they need to live independently. FirstLight’s network of professional caregivers is passionate about creating meaningful relationships and motivated to do more so that clients enjoy the quality of life they deserve. The franchise system includes nearly 200 independently owned and operated home care locations throughout the United States. To learn more, or to find a local office, visit FirstLightHomeCare.com.