Published in Revista Info Retail , 05 - May , 2025 Franchises of Spain

Eroski has received two awards at the 2024 National and European Franchise Awards, organized by the Spanish Franchise Association (AEF), which celebrated its fourth edition with a ceremony held at the InterContinental Hotel in Madrid.

The first of the two awards for Eroski, the only food retailer to receive an award, was Franchisee of the Year in the Food category. The award went to multi-franchisee Pablo Higuero (pictured on the left), who manages four franchises located in Aranda de Duero (Burgos), Nava de la Asunción (Segovia), Manilva (Costa del Sol), and Málaga. “The award recognizes our focus on quality and service to the end customer, and the positive impact we have on the communities where we operate,” Higuero stated.

The second award for the cooperative led by Rosa Carabel was Franchisor of the Year, also in the Food category. In this case, the jury valued its experience and track record in the market since its founding in 1978, expanding its business concept to include more than 600 franchises throughout Spain today. They also recognized its differentiation from other brands in the same sector, its approach to franchising, its relationship with franchisees, and its strong social commitment.

Eroski has been awarded in the categories of 'Franchisor of the Year' and 'Franchisee of the Year' in the Food sector.

“We are very pleased to have received an award that reinforces our commitment to our franchisees and to promoting our cooperative values. Furthermore, it is important to highlight our collaboration in social responsibility, which we have been carrying out for more than 10 years with companies and associations focused on the employment of people with disabilities and disadvantaged groups,” said Alberto Cañas, Eroski's Franchise Director (pictured on the right).

For his part, the CEO of the AEF (Spanish Franchise Association), Eduardo Abadía, congratulated all the award winners, as well as the finalists and nominees: “Without a doubt, they have deserved these awards for their work and effort in 2024, and now we wish them luck in receiving further recognition at the European Franchise Awards.” In this regard, the national winners will be vying to bring the 'European Franchise Award' back to Spain at a gala to be held on September 11 in Brussels.

The jury was composed of: Mario Buisán, Deputy Director General of Regulation and Support for Domestic Trade at the Ministry of Economy; Inmaculada Núñez, Director of Banco Sabadell Franchises; Gema Sanz, Director of Institutional Relations at Madrid Network; Marisa Lazareno, Manager of Yves Rocher, with six franchised stores in Madrid; Laura González, founder and partner of Ni Hao Conecta; Hilario Alfaro, President of Madrid Foro Empresarial; Julián Ruiz, Secretary General of the Spanish Confederation of Commerce (CEC); and Luisa Masuet, President of the AEF.