Entering the NatWest EWiF Awards
Are you ready to showcase your achievements, celebrate your team’s hard work, and gain the recognition you deserve? Entering our awards is the perfect way to highlight your success and inspire others in the industry. Whether you’re an established leader or an emerging innovator, our awards celebrate excellence across UK franchising.
Entries for the 2026 Awards open on 19th January 2026.
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Why enter the NatWest EWiF Awards?
There are many reasons as to why you should consider entering the NatWest EWiF Awards! Whether your business is just starting out or is firmly established, entering the awards could help your business’s success and advance your brand.
REFLECT ON YOUR YEAR
The process of writing an entry allows you to reflect on the year and to take stock of all your successes. It may also help you to set goals, ambitions and build on your achievements in the coming year.
ENHANCE YOUR REPUTATION
Winning an award is an endorsement for your business, and is a great way of differentiating your company from your competitors, amplifying the reputation and awareness of your brand.
BOOST YOUR BRAND
CELEBRATE WITH YOUR TEAM
NETWORK
Network with other franchise professionals at our exclusive finalists black-tie reception.
‘BEST IN CLASS’
Position yourself as ‘best in class’ in your sector.
ATTRACT NEW TALENT
Whether it be employees, franchisees or customers, being a finalist in an awards category can help you look more appealing to work with and for.
FREE TO ENTER
The awards are free and easy to enter, you have nothing to lose!
What do winners receive?
WINNERS TROPHY
WINNERS CERTIFICATE
Receive a framed certificate to display in your office.
DIGITAL LOGO
Receive a digital logo you can use on your website, across all your online marketing and on marketing collateral.
PR PROMOTION
Inclusion in a press release announcing winners and recognition on the EWiF website and social media outlets. PLUS receive a templated PR piece you can tailor to send to your local press outlets.
How to Enter
1. Read the Award Entry Guide to understand what is required for each category
2. Write your award entry written statement in no more than 850 words, detailing why you think you should win the award
Sign up to the online entry system when entries open on 19th January.
Complete the online entry form and submit your written statement & required evidence by the award entry deadline.
Watch this video from our awards partner Coconut Marketing for some top tips on writing award entries…
Entry FAQs
When do entries open and close?
Entries for the 2026 awards will open on 19th January 2026 and close at 5 p.m. 27th February 2026.
Who can enter?
- The awards are open to all UK businesses involved in franchising, you do not need to be a member of EWiF to enter.
- You can enter the awards yourself or for someone else with their permission, e.g. one of your franchisees or team members. You would need to supply the entrants contact details when entering.
- You can enter multiple awards but you must complete an Award Entry for EACH category you are entering.
- Sponsors may enter awards but if they enter an award they are sponsoring, they will not be able to judge their category.
- Two (or more) people can enter one award if the business is jointly owned. For example, if two franchisees are named on the Franchise Agreement they can jointly enter an award.
I'm not a member of EWiF, can I enter?
Yes! The awards are open to all UK businesses involved in franchising.
How do I enter?
Once entries open for the 2026 Awards…
- Read through the Award Entry Guidance document to see what is required for each award category and whether you qualify for that category. Note the required evidence to submit with your entry.
- Write your Award Entry Written Statement where you can demonstrate why you should win your chosen award (word count 850 words)
- Gather all the evidence required and any extra evidence you would like to submit
- Head to the online entry form and complete all the required information and confirm that you have understood and agree to the conditions for the award
- Submit your completed Award Entry to us with ALL supporting material, you can submit up to 12 pieces of supporting material.
Can I enter multiple categories?
- You can enter more than one category but you must complete an online entry form for each category.
- Only one franchisee/employee per brand can enter each category.
When will the shortlist/finalists be announced?
The finalists will be announced on 23rd March 2026.
How do I know what information I need to include?
Make sure you read through the Award Entry Guidance document which will tell you what you need to include for each award category.
Do I have to pay to enter?
No. The awards are completely free to enter!
What is the judging process?
- EWiF Senior Management do first round judging to compile a shortlist in each category.
- The shortlist for each category is then judged by the EWiF Regional Chairs and the Award Sponsor judge for the shortlist in their category.
- All the scores from the EWiF Senior management, EWiF Regional Chairs and Sponsors are added together to give the winner in each category.
- Where an entry is from the same company as a member of the judging panel, that judge cannot judge that category.
- The judge’s decision is final and there will be no written correspondence regarding their decisions.
I was a finalist / winner last year, can I enter again this year?
Yes, we would like to encourage all of last year’s entrants to re-enter this year’s awards.
Are collaborative entries accepted?
Yes, if the business is co-owed by women, both owners may be on the entry form.
Can I get feedback on my entry?
As much as we’d like to offer feedback on individual submissions, this is unfortunately not feasible due to the high number of entries.