Byrider announced the franchise award winners recognized at the company’s annual convention held virtually to accommodate safety precautions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the past 30 years, the Byrider Convention has provided an opportunity for franchisees, suppliers and corporate leaders to join together from across the country for comradery and to acknowledge the significant achievements of individuals who have contributed to the company’s success and celebrate historic milestones. Although this year’s convention looked a little different, it aimed to achieve the same goals.
The Franchise of the Year award recognizes best overall performance based on internal store rankings and a measure of how the business has contributed to the Byrider franchise community. The recipients were:
Franchises of the Year (by category)
*Single Point: Keith Kocourek and Jennifer Freiboth – Wausau, WI
*2-3 Stores: Mark Bedgood, Bill Evans and Dale Boone – Longview, Tyler, Waco and Killeen, TX
4+ Stores: Russ Larson and Jeff Lee – Davenport, IA; Joplin, Springfield and Columbia, MO
The Founders award recognized those stores celebrating a 10- or 20-year anniversary.
Founders Award
Jim Kagiliery and Jim Thompson (20) – Jacksonville, Port Richey and Pinellas Park, FL
Ward Griffith and Brad Helms (20) – Glen Burnie and Randallstown, MD
Aaron Zeigler and Todd Simerman (20) – Kalamazoo and Lansing, MI
Jim Park and Mark Morris (20) – Based in Marietta, OH, with stores in Parkersburg, South Charleston, Clarksburg, Morgantown and Barboursville, WV
Craig Peters, chief executive officer at Byrider, said, “We all wish that we could be together this year, but I am so proud of each of the award recipients we were able to acknowledge during our virtual company convention. This has been such a hard year for everyone, and each award recognition is well deserved. Our franchisees faced unprecedented challenges in 2020 and proved they could succeed even in the most extreme of circumstances.”
“Congratulations to all of our award recipients,” said Chris Hadley, Byrider vice president of franchising. “The franchisees are key drivers of our company’s goals. It is an understatement to say that 2020 was a curveball, but our franchisees rose to the challenge and delivered the customer service that our customers have come to expect from the Byrider brand. I am so encouraged by the perseverance displayed across our company this year and look forward to when we can celebrate in-person again.”
For more information, visit www.byrider.com.