Angela Swarts Named Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association (IFA)

Augusta Staffing and Recruiting Franchise Owner Nationally Recognized for Her Positive Impact on Local Workforce, Businesses and Community 

ATLANTA – Spherion Staffing and Recruiting (Spherion) announced today that Angela Swarts, franchise business owner of Spherion Augusta, has been named a 2024 Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association (IFA). Swarts received this prestigious award at the 65th IFA Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, for her exceptional contributions to the franchising industry, community impact and business leadership.

The Franchisee of the Year Award is given to leading franchise owners who exemplify outstanding performance, commitment to their local workforce, and contributions to their communities. Nominated by Spherion, Swarts’ win is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship. Starting as an entry-level employee, she gained firsthand experience in staffing and business operations before taking the bold step of purchasing the Spherion Augusta franchise at just 28 years old. Nearly three decades later, she and her team of 12 have transformed it into one of the brand’s top-performing locations. 

“Business ownership through Spherion has given me an incredible opportunity to build and grow a local staffing agency that not only thrives but also makes a meaningful impact on our community,” said Swarts. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of my incredible team. Together, we’ve helped countless businesses find the right talent and connected job seekers with life-changing career opportunities. I’m excited for what the future holds and look forward to expanding our impact even further.”

Swarts’ exceptional contributions to Spherion and her community were also recognized at the firm’s internal national meeting in March 2024, where she earned Franchise Owner of the Year for the second time in her career, On-Premise Office of the Year, and a President’s Award. These awards honored her office’s year-over-year revenue growth, expanded clientele, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to ongoing learning and development opportunities for her colleagues, clients, and the Augusta community. 

"Angela's dedication to her team and the Augusta community is truly inspiring," said Kathy George, president of Spherion. "Our 'Queen of the South' exemplifies outstanding leadership—fostering meaningful relationships and making a lasting impact. Her ability to build strong client partnerships stands out, earning trust through open communication, collaboration, and consistent results. We couldn't be more proud to have her in our Spherion family. As both an incredible colleague and a friend of over 20 years, celebrating her success at the IFA Annual Conference in Las Vegas was a special moment. I'm excited to see how she continues to shine and grow her local business."

There are approximately 830,000 franchised businesses across the U.S. that provide nearly 9 million direct jobs and generate more than $896 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. 

Spherion brandishes the power of local through a network of independent and empowered franchisees. Each Spherion franchisee enriches their community through connecting and facilitating employment opportunities every day — and when they’re successful together, their investments flow back into the neighborhoods where they live and work. The power of Spherion is in its local roots.