Global Restaurant Leader of the Year

The winner will generate consistent, strong year-over-year store growth that doesn’t damage a brand’s unit economics or volumes. Consideration should be given to operators that enter new markets or revitalize struggling markets while having shown consistent performance over multiple years. Growth must be quantified over multiple years. These standards are the same for both brands and franchisees.

The winning operator will advance a brand’s reputation in their markets, demonstrating support to their communities and the planet. Consideration will be given to those operators who have shown a willingness to give back to their local markets through financial donations, good works, volunteer efforts or some combination. These standards are the same for both brands and their operators.

The winning brand or operator is well-known for its ability and willingness to partner with franchisees or the franchisor to advance the brand’s reputation and capabilities. Consideration will be given to companies who have a reputation for working well with either their global restaurant operators or with the brands they work with. Brand operators have an established track record of quality deals with local market operators who generate expansion. Franchisees serve on committees and are otherwise a leader among their fellow restaurant operators.

The winner will adapt a brand to their markets, pushing the boundaries with innovative products and ideas that meet brand standards but adapt to local tastes. Brand operators give franchisees the freedom to develop new ideas or concepts that fuel growth in local markets with new menu items, value offers, secondary concepts. Franchisees who qualify for this have an established track record of quality innovation that makes a brand more relevant in their local market.