Tierra Encantada Franchisees Named IFA 2026 Operators of the Year

The partners currently oversee three operational Tierra Encantada locations and have already secured a lease for a fourth site. Their growth strategy focuses on the Spanish immersion model, which combines play-based STEAM curricula with full-time language education for children up to six years old.

IFA President and CEO Matt Haller noted that the award reflects the pair’s broader impact on local workforce development and career creation. Beyond their commercial footprint, the franchisees have prioritized staff support and family engagement, a standard that helped them stand out among national nominees. The award was formally presented during the IFA26 Advocacy Summit held in Washington, D.C., in mid-September.