Franchise Veteran Recognized for Business Growth, Franchisee Advocacy, and Commitment to Developing Future Entrepreneurs
ROCKLEDGE, FL (SEPTEMBER 3, 2026) – PIRTEK USA is proud to announce that Wes Snyder, a multi-unit PIRTEK franchise owner and longtime franchise industry leader, has been named a 2026 Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association (IFA). Snyder will be recognized alongside fellow Franchisee of the Year honorees during the IFA Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 15.
The IFA Franchisee of the Year Awards recognize leading franchise owners whose outstanding performance and contributions help protect, enhance, and promote the franchise business model. Nominated by their parent companies, honorees are recognized for their service to their communities, fostering strong and vibrant workforces, creating opportunities for career growth and entrepreneurship, and supporting fellow franchisees.
With more than 25 years of franchising experience, Snyder has built a multi-unit, multi-brand portfolio spanning PIRTEK USA, FASTSIGNS, and My Salon Suite, with 17 franchise locations across Indianapolis and St. Louis. He began his franchising career with FASTSIGNS in 1998, discovering the opportunity to combine entrepreneurship with the proven systems and support of a franchise model.
Since joining PIRTEK in 2021, Snyder has quickly become one of the brand’s most accomplished and influential operators, growing to seven PIRTEK locations. Snyder’s locations have been recognized as PIRTEK Regional Franchise of the Year winners twice. They have been inducted into the PIRTEK CEO Circle, which recognizes the network’s highest performing locations. Snyder himself has been honored with both the PIRTEK Good Neighbor and Brand Ambassador Awards, and at the 2026 PIRTEK Annual Owner Conference, Snyder earned the prestigious 2025 Franchise of the Year award for his PIRTEK Pike location.
“Wes is an outstanding example of what it means to be a successful franchise owner and leader. His success as an operator is consistently impressive, but what truly sets West apart is the way he shares success and opportunity with others. This is achieved in multiple ways: from partnering with his employees, to participating in peer groups and Franchise Advisory Councils, to advocating on behalf of the entire franchise industry,” said Kim Gubera, CEO of PIRTEK USA and PIRTEK Canada. “We are incredibly proud to see him receive this well-deserved recognition from the IFA.”
Across his businesses, Snyder has developed a leadership model designed to create a pathway to ownership for employees. He has provided general managers with opportunities to earn equity, helping employees who aspire to entrepreneurship take steps toward becoming business owners themselves. Through mentorship and shared success, Snyder has made developing future entrepreneurs a central part of his approach to franchising.
His leadership extends beyond his own businesses. Snyder has been an active advocate for franchise owners at the national level, including testifying before the U.S. Senate on the impact of joint employer regulations. Drawing on his experience as a multi-unit franchise owner, he has advocated for policies that preserve franchisee independence and strengthen the franchise business model for owners nationwide.
Snyder has also supported the next generation of franchise entrepreneurs through his involvement with the IFA, including initiatives focused on increasing minority ownership and expanding access to franchising.
“Wes has demonstrated that being a successful franchisee is about much more than building a strong business,” said James Doyle, Chief Marketing Officer of PIRTEK USA and PIRTEK Canada. “He has consistently looked for ways to invest in his team, lend his experience and perspective to the continued development of the PIRTEK brand, and support the franchise industry as a whole through his active involvement with the IFA. His leadership and willingness to share his experience make him an outstanding representative of PIRTEK and a deserving recipient of the IFA Franchisee of the Year Award.”
The 2026 Franchisee of the Year recognition marks another significant achievement in Snyder’s more than two decades in franchising and reflects his commitment to the people and principles that make the franchise model a powerful path to business ownership.
To learn more about PIRTEK franchise opportunities, visit www.pirtekusafranchise.com.
ABOUT PIRTEK USA:
PIRTEK provides the fastest hydraulic and industrial hose maintenance and replacement services through on-site mobile and service centers. The brand has more than 600 franchise locations in 24 countries around the world, with over 200 located in the U.S. PIRTEK has a 1-hour ETA for on-site hose service, is available 24/7/365, and is a simple solution that minimizes equipment downtime and eliminates the need for customers to leave their job sites or facilities to locate new hydraulic and industrial hoses as well as hydraulic fittings. WE’LL KEEP YOU OPERATING® For more information, visit www.pirtekusa.com or follow us at @PIRTEKUSA on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Frequently Asked Questions about PIRTEK USA
Q: What is a PIRTEK franchise?
A: A PIRTEK franchise provides hydraulic and industrial hose maintenance and replacement services through mobile service vehicles and service and supply retail centers. Franchise owners serve businesses that rely on hydraulic equipment and need fast, on-site service to minimize or eliminate downtime caused by a failed hose.
Q: How does PIRTEK franchise ownership work?
A: PIRTEK franchise owners operate their own local business with the support of an established franchise system, including training, operational guidance, marketing support, and access to PIRTEK’s proven business model.
Q: Why invest in a PIRTEK franchise?
A: PIRTEK offers franchise owners the opportunity to enter the essential business-to-business services industry with a recognized brand, established systems, and multiple revenue opportunities through mobile and service-center operations. PIRTEK can be an attractive franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs interested in owning a business that provides essential services to industrial, construction, transportation, and other commercial customers.
Q: What makes PIRTEK different from other franchise opportunities?
A: PIRTEK combines a specialized B2B service model with mobile service capabilities, allowing franchise owners to help customers address hydraulic hose needs directly at their job sites and facilities.
Q: Who is a good fit for PIRTEK franchise ownership?
A: PIRTEK looks for motivated entrepreneurs and business owners who want to build a team, develop customer relationships, and grow a local business with the support of a proven franchise system. Military veterans, corporate career escapees, aspiring business owners, former employees, and others from diverse professional backgrounds have all found success as PIRTEK franchisees.