At an emotional awards ceremony in Dublin, Card Connection franchisee Joe Sweeney posthumously won Retail Franchisee of the Year award at the prestigious Irish Franchise Association Awards.

It was a bitter-sweet moment for Joe’s sons Joseph and Trevor, who went up to collect the award, as their father Joe was given a standing ovation by all in attendance.

Joe started as a Card Connection franchisee back in 1999 buying a Southern Ireland territory and then over the years acquired another 2 territories to become the company’s first ‘Platinum Franchisee.’ Being the largest franchisees in the Republic of Ireland was only part of the story though, as he was hugely instrumental in the growth and success of ‘Card Connection across the whole of Ireland.

He did this by example, taking Card Connection’s range of greeting cards and showed what could be done with drive, determination, hard work and a refusal to take no for an answer, winning the franchisor’s network award of Franchisee of the Year no less 6 times.

Greatly missed by all, Joe would have been delighted to have been able to accept this award in person, as the icing on cake for his exceptional impact on the greeting card landscape of Ireland.