AAFD Announces Total Quality Awards For 2001 <b></b>
San Diego-The American Association of Franchisees &Dealers (AAFD) has announced the year 2001 recipients of its annualTotal Quality Franchising (TQF) Awards. Headlining theacknowledgment of distinguished service to the AAFD and thefranchising community is the selection of Dave Thomas, founder ofWendy's, as recipient of the TQF Lifetime Achievement Award.Meineke Discount Mufflers Inc. has been named the AAFD Franchisorof the Year.
Robert L. Purvin, chairman of the board of trustees for theAAFD, singled out the Lifetime Achievement Award to Thomas asindicative of the purpose for the award. "Dave Thomas is trulyan icon within the franchising community," he says. "Butas impressive as his success as a franchisor is the fact that hisfranchise owners have universally recognized his support for theirindividual success. Dave Thomas has continuously embodied theessence of the AAFD's concept of Total QualityFranchising."
"I'm a big believer in franchising, because it's anexcellent way to grow a business," says Thomas. "I'velearned a lot over the years from our great franchisees andconsider them our partners in the truest sense of theword."
The selection of Meineke Discount Mufflers as the Franchisor ofthe Year is a testament to Kenneth D Walker, Meineke'spresident and CEO, who has already demonstrated that fairfranchising is good business. Meineke is a leading competitor inthe automotive services industry, but of recent years has foughtmany internal battles with a growing number of unhappy franchisees.Walker was trusted to empower Meineke franchisees to help hismanagement team reinvent the franchise with a negotiatedagreement.
"We want to place Meineke on a well deservedpedestal," says Purvin, "and let other companies knowthat respect for franchisees will be richly rewarded in thefranchising marketplace."
"Meineke is very pleased and humbled to be recognized inthis manner by the AAFD," Walker says. "With so manyexcellent franchise opportunities available today, it is extremelygratifying to be selected as the AAFD Franchisor of the Year. Thisaccomplishment requires the mutual cooperation of dedicated andhardworking Meineke franchisees and gifted Meineke employees whoshare a common vision for success. Our chain is fortunate to havean abundance of both." -American Association ofFranchisees & Dealers
