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Empower Brands, a franchisor of home and commercial services brands, has been named a 2026 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence winner for Employee Appreciation by Energage.

The Top Workplaces Culture Excellence awards recognize organizations that excel in specific areas of workplace culture, with the Employee Appreciation award honoring companies that demonstrate genuine gratitude for employee contributions. Recipients are distinguished by cultures where employees feel valued and are motivated to consistently perform at their best.

The awards are based entirely on employee feedback gathered through a research-backed engagement survey. At Empower Brands, more than 137 employees participated, providing direct insight into the company’s culture, leadership, and overall workplace experience.

“This recognition is especially meaningful because it comes directly from our employees,” says Scott Zide, CEO of Empower Brands. “We’ve built our culture around the idea that when you invest in your people, everything else follows: stronger collaboration, better support for our franchise owners, and ultimately better outcomes across the system."

Employee appreciation is a core component of Empower Brands' operations. The company’s collaborative, franchisee-first culture extends across its entire platform, supporting both internal teams and franchise owners with the tools and resources needed to grow.

The Top Workplaces award builds on a series of recognitions for Empower Brands’ workplace culture, including honors for Work-Life Flexibility, Leadership, Compensation & Benefits, Purpose & Values, Innovation, Employee Well-Being, and Professional Development. Together, these accolades reinforce the company’s commitment to creating an environment where employees feel supported and empowered to grow.

That culture is further reflected in company-wide initiatives, as well as ongoing efforts—its involvement with ASK, an annual day of service, monthly employee appreciation activities, birthday celebrations for team members, and quarterly recognition of employees who exemplify the company’s core values.

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” shares Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “In today's market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard."

With continued investment in its people, leadership, and culture, Empower Brands remains focused on building a workplace that supports long-term success for employees and franchise owners alike.