WhatTheyThink has learned that the legendary founder of the ICED franchise network, Bud Hadfield, passed away yesterday at 5:45 PM. He had a storied career and was a pioneer in the quick printing field. According to his bio on the ICED site, he bought his first printing equipment when he was 12 years old. He printed a "family" newspaper and peddled ads in the neighborhood. Years later, an old friend brought Bud a complicated printing order. Upon receiving the order so quickly, the friend half-jokingly told Bud, "Whatever this is, you ought to franchise it." Being a true entrepreneur, he immediately began studying franchising, and ICED was born.

Hadfield kept a fairly low profile outside of his franchise community, and sadly, I never had the opportunity to meet him. But I am sure he will be sorely missed by friends, family and his franchise family.  Our condolences to those who knew him will and will miss him dearly.

Update 4/14: ICED headquarters sent Bud's obituary to share with Print CEO readers:

Frederick Cordingley “Bud” Hadfield passed away peacefully at home on Monday with his family by his side. He had been in declining health for several months.

He leaves to honor his memory his wife of 50 years, Mary; daughter Katherine Denison and her husband, Pat; son James “Jim” Hadfield and his wife, Linda; grandchildren Shay; Tate; Reding; Katie, and Travis; and nephew, Rick Hadfield and his family. Members of the ICED family around the globe who he touched and inspired also mourn his passing.

Known by all, including his grandchildren, as Bud, he was a pioneer in the quick printing industry, starting with Kwik Kopy Printing. He went on to build an empire of franchises that today includes seven brands represented in 13 countries. Parent company ICED is headquartered at Northwest Forest, a bucolic 100+ acre conference center in Cypress, built in 1985, featuring a full-size replica of the Alamo that draws visitors year-round.
Bud pioneered many concepts that have evolved to become mainstays in the quick printing industry. Kwik Kopy Printing was a technology leader as early as 40 years ago with the advent of the duplicator press and the direct image camera.

Born in Virginia, Bud and his family moved to Cranston, Rhode Island, in the late ‘20s. As a teen, he became a newspaperman, printing a neighborhood paper in the basement. After the good scholar became a rebel and was expelled from school shortly before graduation, he joined the Merchant Marines and spent most of WWII on the high seas. A brief career as an amateur boxer convinced the youthful Bud there had to be an easier way to make a living.Bud drifted to Massachusetts, but a bitter 1947 winter drove him south to the warmer climate of Houston, where he eventually opened Bud Hadfield Printers.A stint as an aide to Mayor Louie Welch gave Bud mayoral aspirations of his own until his spectacular defeat at the hands of Fred Hofheinz. Bud’s philosophy of “stick to what you know” sent him back to printing – and thousands around the world benefited.

At a friend’s urging, Bud reluctantly took the Dale Carnegie course, eventually becoming a salesman and instructor. He sold a course in 1958 to a young lady named Mary who became his wife and business partner; the two of them would remain best friends for life. Bud credited the Dale Carnegie course with changing his life, and he would remain an instructor for some 30 years.

After failing at nine diverse businesses – what he called part of learning – Bud found success in printing, morphing Bud Hadfield Printers into Kwik Kopy Printing, introducing new technology, and promoting the explosive growth in franchising. AWT; The Ink Well; Franklin’s Printing; Kwik Kopy Business Centers; Parcel Plus, and Computer Explorers followed, with a few acquired or started and eventually discontinued along the way.

A highlight for the company, and for Bud, was the 1990 annual conference held at George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Former President Ronald Reagan and Dr. Norman Vincent Peale were keynote speakers, and former astronaut Admiral Alan Shepard, a member of the ICED Board of Directors, gave a talk.
On March 23, 1993, the Texas Senate declared Bud Hadfield Day, citing his many contributions to the citizens of Texas, noting his involvement with civic groups and schools as he urged young people to further their education.
No award fulfilled Bud more than when he received his diploma from Cranston High School in 1987, some 47 years after he was expelled. He thanked the school for the honor by replacing the antiquated printing equipment he had used there nearly a half century before.

The dream has been realized, and the little boy with the big name became the big man with the little name, known around the world by thousands as a dream maker, and who himself, finally, lived his own dream that he always knew in his heart he would.

Visitation is Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Klein Funeral Home, 1400 W. Main St., Tomball, 77375, 281.351.7233.Funeral services will be Friday, April 15, at 11:00 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church, 22601 Lutheran Church Road, Tomball, 77377, 281.351.8223. Interment will follow at Klein Memorial Park, 32539 Hwy. 249 in Pinehurst.

Memorial donations may be made to Boys and Girls Country, 18806 Roberts Road, Hockley, TX 77447-9327, or online at www.boysandgirlscountry.org.Expressions of sympathy may be sent to The Hadfield Family, ICED, 12715 Telge Road, Cypress, TX 77429.