BY KERRY PIPES & EDDY GOLDBERG
2017 MVP WINNERS These multi-unit franchisees set the bar high
electing the winners for our Most Valuable Performer
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( MVP ) Awards means analyzing applications submitted on behalf of many of the best multi-unit franchisees in the business . This year we declared 11 winners , who were recognized on stage in front of their peers at the 2017 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference , held this April at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas .
To qualify , multi-unit franchisees must have at least five operating units and have been in a franchise system for at least two years . This year ’ s recipients demonstrated outstanding performance in growing both their organizations and their brand — or brands . Here ’ s a preview of the 2017 MVP Award winners , whose full profiles grace the following pages .
AMERICAN DREAM AWARD
• Anand ( Andy ) Patel . Since buying a flailing IHOP in 1992 and doubling its volume within a year , Patel has experienced soaring multi-brand growth , today managing more than $ 220 million in revenue and 4,500 employees . “ My definition of the American Dream is the ability to be successful through hard work and determination ,” says Patel .
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT LEADERSHIP AWARD
• Karen Morse is an 18-year franchisee of Ben & Jerry ’ s , pioneers in the socially responsible business movement . Her ongoing effort to support the community that supports her seven shops is just part of who she is . “ We don ’ t know how to do it any other way ,” says the Washington , D . C . -based operator .
PRO ATHLETE INFLUENCER AWARD
• Brendon Ayanbadejo . This former NFL player operates 20 Orangetheory Fitness locations in Los Angeles , Santa Clara , and Santa Cruz counties — already halfway to his goal as franchisee and area developer in just 4 years . The son of interracial parents , he is known for advocating for marriage equality , including samesex marriage , and brings the same energy , passion , and leadership to franchising he was known for as a Baltimore Ravens captain .
INFLUENCER AWARD FOR HUSBAND & WIFE TEAM
• Todd & Audra Fetter operate 8 Buffalo Wings & Rings , with 2 more on the way . Three of their five children work in the business . They earned this award for demonstrating growth , perseverance , and excellence as a team — which mirrors Todd Fetter ’ s advice to other franchising couples : “ Stick it out . It is extremely hard work , but the rewards are phenomenal .”
INNOVATION AWARD
• Mitchell York traded in his corporate career for the Hawaiian shirts and laid-back culture of Maui Wowi . That was 15 years ago , when the brand ’ s business model was based on selling smoothies at public events . “ I got my first location at Yankee Stadium . A few years later , I saw an opportunity to create a catering model ,” he says . He not only created the model , he wrote the ops manual and trained new franchisees on this high-margin part of the business .
MEGA GROWTH LEADERSHIP AWARD
• Eddie Rodriguez has been in franchising for 43 years , 23 as a franchisee . His company operates 179 Wendy ’ s that generate nearly $ 300 million in annual revenue . Recently inducted into Wendy ’ s Hall of Fame , he says , “ When you run a restaurant a lot of the cost of your business is in a two- or three-mile radius . The way you deal within that radius and serve those customers day in and day out determines how successful your restaurant is going to be .”
MULTI-BRAND GROWTH LEADERSHIP AWARD
• John Ponczoch is senior vice president of food operations and marketing for TravelCenters of America . “ I think it ’ s important to point out the uniqueness of our company ,” says Ponczoch . The company operates more than 25 franchised brands at 800- plus locations in 43 states , and parent company TA-Petro also operates 9 brands as a franchisor .
NOBLE CAUSE AWARD
• Bret Stewart . A multi-unit franchisee with 17 Auntie Anne ’ s , 2 Schlotzsky ’ s , and 1 Cinnabon , Stewart ’ s creative commitment to his employees and community knows no bounds . He created his own Dream Builders program to help fund the goals and aspirations of his team members . Two of his Auntie Anne ’ s are owned by the social enterprise organization Washington Vocational Services ( WVS ).
SINGLE BRAND LEADERSHIP AWARD
• Johnny Weber has been franchising for 8½ years and operates 56 Sport Clips locations as a franchisee and area developer . Sport Clips founder and CEO Gordon Logan , who nominated Weber for the award , calls him a superstar franchisee : “ We couldn ’ t have a better brand ambassador than Johnny Weber .”
SPIRIT OF FRANCHISING AWARD
• Mark Friedman traded in his career as a management consultant to become a Senior Helpers franchisee . “ I realized the dream of doing something that I really loved , which was making a material difference in people ’ s lives , so they can age in place ,” says Friedman , who now has 6 units . In August , he plans to open his own school for home health aide training .
VETERAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARD
• Kevin Kelly . This former U . S . Navy fighter pilot , who operates 19 Planet Fitness locations , is a stellar example of how well military training translates to franchising . “ When you are in the military you generally operate on big scales , so translating this into a business just comes naturally ,” he says . “ Consider hiring a veteran . I can pretty much guarantee you won ’ t regret it .”
Congratulations to these Most Valuable franchisees , who exemplify the best of what franchising has to offer .
In this issue , we also reconnect with Grant Simon , and profile an under-30 franchisee .
And don ’ t miss our annual Multi-Unit 50 rankings , beginning on page 58 !
8 MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE ISSUE III , 2017