When Wilder received the call telling him to come to Washington, D.C., and accept the award, his store wasn’t open due to the flooding much like the rest of Range Avenue had experienced. This did not stop Wilder from lending a helping hand to his community. 

“My perspective is it’s what I do; this business is about people,” Wilder said Tuesday, standing in the gutted shell of his store. “If you do right by people, it comes back.” “I love our brand. I love Smoothie King,” he said. “I’m proud to be in Denham Springs, to live in this city and this parish. This is my home.

Kevin King, chief development officer for Smoothie King mentioned that leadership is most important when nominations are being considered by the IFA.

Being considered for the award “manifests itself in sales, sales growth and roles (a franchisee) plays in the franchise community and actions in his own community,” King said.

The New Orleans-area-based franchise company has 800 units in 33 states, the Caymans and the Republic of Korea.

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