MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes Honors Passionate and Hard Working Franchisees with Top Awards at Annual Conference

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes* is building on incredibly strong momentum headed into the rest of 2017.

After adding 20 restaurants to its franchise system and expanding its reach in key development markets including Austin, Texas; Monrovia, California; Northborough, Massachusetts and Newport News, Virginia in addition to opening its milestone 100th location in 2016, the brand is positioned for a record breaking year when it comes to franchise growth. That’s why members of MOOYAH’s team from across the country gathered in New Orleans, Louisiana this spring for its annual MOO Con convention to celebrate not just the brand’s past successes, but also what exciting initiatives lie ahead.

The theme of MOO Con 2017 was “The Next 10.” Not only was the conference a celebration of MOOYAH’s 10th anniversary, but the brand is also looking forward to its second decade of achievements and franchise development milestones. Throughout the convention, MOOYAH’s team members came together to discuss what improvements and enhancements will be made for its next ten franchisees, next ten restaurant openings and the next ten guests that they serve. The goal was to continue the brand’s longstanding tradition of raising the bar and setting a new standard for excellence in the restaurant segment of the franchising industry as it continues to break into new markets with the help of passionate and dedicated local owners.

“The backbone of MOOYAH is, and always has been, our franchisees,” said Michael Mabry, president and COO of MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes. “MOO Con is a great way for us to celebrate the successes in all of our franchise locations but also look ahead at how we can continue to improve to provide the very best experience for our guests. Now that we have 100 locations up and running across the country, there’s no doubt that our first 10 years in business have been incredibly successful. But we’re confident that the next 10 will be even better.”

One franchisee who was recognized for his achievements in 2016 was Chuck Kerr, MOOYAH’s local owner in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He received two of the brand’s most prestigious awards—Highest Sales and Hometown Home Team, which honors a franchisee who goes above and beyond to give back to their communities. And even though Kerr is constantly working to make his MOOYAH locations successful, he says the recognition still came as a shock.

“Receiving the highest sales award is always such an honor because it represents how hard our staff works. We have two managers and a team of employees who made this award possible, and I’m proud that they were able to experience this moment with me,” said Kerr. “But winning the Hometown Home Team award took me by surprise. We’re in a position where we’re fortunate enough to give back to our community, and we were more than happy to play our part in providing flood relief to those in need across Louisiana last year. We didn’t think twice about the impact that we were making—lending a helping hand just seemed like the right thing to do. It just goes to show that not only is MOOYAH a brand focused on giving back, it’s a part of our DNA. It’s an honor to be a part of a brand that’s so supportive of their franchisees who are trying to do good.”

Another franchisee who was recognized for their hard work and commitment to the MOOYAH system was Loren Katzman. She took home the brand’s coveted Franchisee of the Year award at MOO Con, which she says is due in part to MOOYAH’s proven business model.

“I didn’t expect to be named Franchisee of the Year at all. But I’m so thrilled that my name was called because I do work incredibly hard and truly love being a part of the MOOYAH team,” said Katzman, a MOOYAH franchisee with restaurants in Walnut Creek and Rocklin, California.  “I take pride in following the MOOYAH system and delivering the best experiences for my guests. The brand’s support and guidance has allowed me to be successful this far, and I’m looking forward to continue growing alongside our team.”

Other notable MOO Con winners include the Duong brothers—Khai and Kaleb—who were recognized at the annual convention as Operator of the Year. They were also the recipients of last year’s Franchisee of the Year award, which is one of the main reasons why MOOYAH decided to hold its conference in their local city—New Orleans. Nick DeVore, who operates a MOOYAH location in Knoxville, Tennessee, was also honored with the highest Year Over Year Company Sales award, while Chad Calogne and Ryan Brach from Gonzales, Louisiana were the recipients of the MOOYAH Moment award, which is given out to the franchisees who go above and beyond to provide their guests with top quality customer service. To determine the winner of the award, MOOYAH takes its top guest feedback responses and has its network of franchise partners vote on their favorite MOOYAH moment.

Patrick Guay and Phil Howells, MOOYAH franchisees in Northborough, Massachusetts, were also recognized at this year’s MOO Con convention. The business partners took home the coveted Rookie of the Year award.

“Phil and I were absolutely delighted to get the Rookie of the Year award. It recognized not only the support that we received from the MOOYAH brand, but also spoke to the team that we’ve been able to assemble since opening up our doors for business. That combination has ultimately been what has led us to success,” said Guay.

Every MOOYAH conference award winner—including both Guay and Howells—will play an active role in making the brand’s next 10 years even more than successful than its first decade in business. They’re all planning to continue growing alongside MOOYAH by opening up multiple locations, which will fuel the brand’s ongoing development efforts. With its sights set on breaking into new territories throughout 2017 and beyond, including Virginia and Washington, D.C., MOOYAH’s team is eager to work with both new and existing franchisees as they realize their dreams of business ownership with the backing of the brand’s proven system and support.

“All of the MOO Con award winners represent the positive culture and commitment to service excellence that has allowed MOOYAH to thrive across the country. It’s a pleasure to recognize these tremendous members of our MOOYAH family. We’re excited to see what all of them are able to accomplish in the years ahead,” Mabry said.