--- title: "Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine To Honor Franchisee Excellence at the 2024 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference, March 19-22, in Las Vegas" url: https://burnaze.com/article/9d5e19bd-c6a8-42e6-8939-fc8ba9286c10 source: "Franchising.com" original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20240322_multiunit_franchisee_magazine_to_honor_franchisee_excellence_at_the_2024_mu.html category: "Franchise Industry" industry: "Franchise Industry" topics: ["Development & multi-unit"] published: 2024-03-22T12:00:00.000Z modified: 2026-10-31T20:03:57.474Z image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1542744095-291d1f67b221?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop --- # Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine To Honor Franchisee Excellence at the 2024 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference, March 19-22, in Las Vegas **TL;DR:** Multi-Unit Franchisee magazine will honor franchisee excellence at the 2024 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference, recognizing ten winners for outstanding performance in growing both their organizations and their brands. *originally published in Franchising.com on 2024-03-22. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20240322_multiunit_franchisee_magazine_to_honor_franchisee_excellence_at_the_2024_mu.html).* ## Story This year saw an impressive list of dozens of highly successful multi-unit franchisees nominated. Ten winners were selected by a panel of judges for demonstrating outstanding performance in growing both their organizations and their brands. These power operators, innovators, and creative thinkers continue to raise the bar each year. To qualify, multi-unit franchisees must have at least five operating units and been in a franchise system for a minimum of two years. Here are this year's winners: - The **Mega-Growth Leadership Award** for achieving excellence in growth and expansion goes to Al Bhakta, a franchisee with KFC, Taco Bell, Sonic, Little Caesars Pizza, Rent-A-Center, and Ace Hardware. - The **Spirit of Franchising Award** for extraordinary and enduring performance, growth, and community giving goes to Keegan Trudgen and Tim Lohse, franchisees with PuroClean. - The **Single-Brand Leadership Award** for achieving leadership with a single brand goes to McLain Hoogland, a franchisee with Marco's Pizza. - The **Veteran Entrepreneurship Award** for outstanding performance, leadership, and innovation by a military veteran goes to Cheston Syma, a franchisee with Sport Clips Haircuts, Big Blue Swim School, Tommy's Express Car Wash, SweatHouz, Semper Laser Hair Removal, Signarama, and American Allied Construction. - The **Influencer for Husband & Wife Team Award** for demonstrating excellence in franchising as husband and wife goes to Todd Recknagel and Kristi Mailloux, franchisees with Massage Envy, Sola Salon Studios, and Office Pride. - The **Noble Cause Award** for passionate, unwavering support for those in need goes to Kadirali “Ali” Chunara, a franchisee with Checkers and Rally's, Church's Texas Chicken, Dunkin', Kale Me Crazy, Blaze Pizza, My Eyelab, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Take 5 Oil Change, TGI Fridays, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and BurgerFi. - The **American Dream Award** for achieving remarkable success in their new country goes to Joseph Omobogie, a franchisee with Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Golden Chick, Captain D's, and Marco's Pizza. - The **Innovation Award** for bringing a new and unique contribution to their brand goes to Mark Ireland, a franchisee with Anytime Fitness. - The **Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Award** for demonstrating exceptional commitment to the promotion of diversity, equality, and inclusion in their organization goes to Syed Rizvi, a franchisee with Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Dunkin', and Arby's. - The **Multi-Brand Leadership Award** for achieving brand leadership with multiple brands goes to Jim Balis, a franchisee with Little Caesars Pizza, Dunkin', Jersey Mike's Subs, Wingstop, Jamba, Red Robin, and Sizzler. All winners will receive their awards in a general session at this year's annual Multi-Unit Franchising Conference, where more than 2,200 attendees will honor their success in the franchise world. Don't miss this largest gathering of successful multi-unit franchisees in the nation. Register today and visit our conference website at www.multiunitfranchisingconference.com to learn more. Franchise Update Media has been a leader in the franchising space for more than 36 years. Founded in 1988, the company produces online franchise opportunity and educational websites, two quarterly print magazines, 12 newsletters, three annual conferences, independent research, and books, 100% focused on franchising. Targeting franchise audiences online, in print, and in person, Franchise Update Media delivers a unique combination of educational and lead-generation sources to help franchisors, multi-unit franchisees, opportunity seekers, and suppliers achieve their growth objectives. Franchise Update Media (FUM) is the trusted resource for the franchise industry. For 30+ years, FUM has been the leader in providing valuable conferences, print publications and digital properties for Franchisors, Franchisees and Franchise Prospects. ## Entities - Franchising.com (publication) --- Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20240322_multiunit_franchisee_magazine_to_honor_franchisee_excellence_at_the_2024_mu.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/9d5e19bd-c6a8-42e6-8939-fc8ba9286c10).