Nobly Done! Commitment to Community Knows No Bounds When Bret Stewart was growing up, he dreamed of being a doctor so he could help people. Life may have led him down a different path, but his desire to positively influence the lives of those around him is realized every day. Stewart, president of Woodinville, Wash.-based Center Twist Inc., is the recipient of the 2017 MVP Noble Cause Award for his dedication and passion toward those in need. A multi-unit franchisee with 17 Auntie Anne's, 2 Schlotzsky's, and 1 Cinnabon in Washington state and Alaska, Stewart's creative commitment to his employees and community knows no bounds. His good works have encouraged employees to pursue their passions, provided jobs to those with special needs, and enabled the company to feed and fund countless community projects and programs. Stewart didn't have to look far for a corporate role model. Inspired by the giving spirit of Anne Beiler, who founded Auntie Anne's with "caring for others in mind. he created his own Dream Builders program to help fund the goals and aspirations of his team members. Every Dream Builders recipient has a story. The fund has covered dance academy tuition for an employee who is now a member of her college dance team; paid for airfare to enable another worker to travel on a mission to treat Indonesians with AIDS; and covered the application fees for funding to provide hearings aids to an employee who could not otherwise afford them. This year, the company will award college scholarships to working students and help many employees with financial hardships. The program is funded by company profits and overseen by a general manager, says Stewart, who knows firsthand what can happen when someone believes in you: he attended the University of Washington on a scholarship given to disadvantaged youths with potential and aspirations for college. "I want the people who work at my Auntie Anne's, Cinnabon, or Schlotzsky's to look back and think that was one of the best jobs they ever had,"; he says. "Part of this, I think, is creating amazing opportunities for people to have access to or achieve something they never thought possible."

Stewart's contributions have been well received within the communities he serves. Two of his Auntie Anne's locations are owned by the social enterprise organization Washington Vocational Services (WVS). Stewart oversees the operations and management of the WVS locations, in which the profits are used to fund the organization's mission to provide employment services for people with disabilities. Most of his locations have someone on their staff referred by a social service agency. His company also gives mightily to raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, Auntie Anne's national charitable partner that fights childhood cancer, and supports the Make-a-Wish Foundation and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. I always get inspired by others who give to their community in creative ways, especially those who don't have a lot to give but still find a way, says Stewart. Leading with a noble purpose, Stewart says, its about reaching out.You don't have to do much, just a little, and it can really make a difference,Stewart advises his fellow franchisees. "Some things might really catch on and be amazing! But even a little help to someone that needs it matters. I think most everyone wants to find ways to help others. Sometimes, all it takes is a dream. Questions: 1. There is less agreement in the literature, as to whether franchisees are entrepreneurs. Some researchers who argue franchisees are not entrepreneurial, do so according to the nature of the franchise contract. Based on the precedent, do you consider Mr. Bret Stewart an entrepreneur? Defend your answer. 2. How the benefits of being a franchisee has helped Mr. Stewart as an entrepreneur in his social mission? 3. Referring to the case, it is obvious that Mr. Stewart is adopting the commercial franchising business model to fulfill his dream as a social entrepreneur. How similar such a model would be to the model of Social Franchising?