Joost Bos wins European silver for his contribution to franchising

Joost Bos of Koelewijn & Partners has received a silver award at the European Franchise Awards 2026 for his longstanding contribution to franchising. According to a report published by Franchise+ on 22 September, the award recognises more than three decades of dedication to the franchise community. The ceremony took place at a gala dinner in Brussels.

Recognition for longstanding commitment

Bos is among the winners in a category for professionals who have made a sustained, demonstrable contribution to raising standards and strengthening the franchise community. His silver award therefore highlights the people working behind the scenes and alongside franchise networks to build knowledge and support development.

This sets the award apart from an accolade for a restaurant concept or retail brand. The focus is not on an individual franchise brand, but on a franchise professional’s contribution over an extended period. Coverage of Bos explicitly refers to more than thirty years of service.

Bos is associated with Koelewijn & Partners. The organisation describes its services as covering all aspects of business concept development and franchising, for businesses ranging from sole traders to multinationals. The European award was presented to Bos; the report does not portray it as a blanket endorsement of the quality of all the organisation’s services.

For the Dutch franchise community, this distinction matters. The award recognises an individual track record in a field where advisers and other specialist partners also play a role. It gives the support provided to franchising a place on the European stage, alongside entrepreneurship within franchise networks.

Nominations through national franchise associations

The European Franchise Awards are organised by the European Franchise Federation. According to Franchise+, 2026 marked the fifth year of the awards. They provide additional recognition for successful national franchise brands and specialist partners.

Nominees were put forward by the franchise associations in their respective countries. National nomination is therefore part of the route to European recognition. Rather than simply showcasing businesses at an event, these awards involve national associations proposing candidates.

In the Netherlands, the Nederlandse Franchise Vereniging, or Dutch Franchise Association, is the umbrella body representing the interests of the franchise sector. The report on the results places the Dutch winners in a wider European context, giving national achievements and contributions visibility beyond their home market.

The available coverage of Bos’s award mainly describes the nature of the category and the length of his service. It does not name specific projects, provide scores or include detailed comments from the judging panel. The award is therefore best described as recognition of his longstanding contribution, without adding unpublished judging criteria.

Specialist partners alongside franchise brands

Bos was not the only Dutch award winner at the Brussels ceremony. Restaurant brands ’t Zusje and Anne&Max also received awards. ’t Zusje took silver in the Franchisor of the Year category. Anne&Max was named a Sustainability Champion alongside L’Osteria.

These other results provide context for Bos’s award. The European awards highlight different types of contribution: developing a franchise organisation, embedding sustainability in business practice and providing longstanding professional service. Each category therefore has its own focus.

For Bos, the news is not about a new outlet, the expansion of a franchise network or an announced partnership. It is about recognition for more than three decades of work for the franchise community. That is a different perspective from the awards presented to franchise brands on the same evening.

What this recognition means for business owners

For franchisors and franchisees, a professional award can be a reason to look more closely at a specialist partner. It offers a tangible starting point: European recognition for longstanding service, following nomination through a national franchise association.

An award does not, however, automatically establish which support is right for a particular business. Anyone considering an adviser should therefore focus on their own needs and ask about relevant experience, the proposed approach and clear terms for the assignment. This is a practical recommendation, not an additional conclusion from the judging panel.

Practical takeaway: use a franchise award as a starting point for getting to know a potential adviser, not as a substitute for your own research. When choosing a specialist partner, focus above all on how closely their experience matches your specific needs.