Top Big O franchisees honored in San Diego

SAN DIEGO — Big O Tires L.L.C. honored four leading dealers— Bruce Cherry, Jeff Schwab, Jerry Tidwell and Tony Williams — with its top franchisee honors at the franchise group's recent annual convention in San Diego.

Messrs. Cherry, Schwab and Tidwell were selected as franchisees of the year, while Mr. Williams, a joint owner of seven stores in the Phoenix market, received the "Point of Light" award for "extraordinary franchisees" that have contributed to the Big O organization with their knowledge, expertise and dedication.

These awards, and others, were given during the April 3-6 event at the Marriott Marquis & Marina in San Diego under the theme, "Catch the Wave."

Messrs. Cherry and Schwab are multi-store owners in California and Iowa/Nebraska, respectively, while Mr. Tidwell is a single-store owner in Phoenix. Mr. Cherry is a multiple Big O Tires' award winner and a Hall of Famer.

This is just the second year that Big O has presented this award. The winners are selected from among the group's top 40 stores, based on numerical results.

Mr. Williams, a franchisee since 2006, is a member of Big O's Franchise Advisory Council and was Big O's International Franchise Association franchisee of the year in 2015.

In addition, the TBC Corp. business honored three Big O employees and a pair of franchisees with Standing "O" Awards, which recognize franchisees and corporate associates for going "above and beyond" to support Big O.

This year's winners are: Matthew Greco, co-owner of more than 20 stores in California and Colorado; Mitch Beranek, co-owner of 10 stores across Colorado and New Mexico; Rodger Anderson, real estate development manager at TBC; Darrell Jackson, field training manager at TBC; and Ferdie Brown, franchise business consultant for Big O Tires' east division.

During the convention, more than 700 Big O Tires franchise owners, managers, corporate associates and suppliers heard the franchise program's executives provide business updates, attended break-out business sessions and attended the accompanying trade show.

The collective Big O franchise network realized increased same store total retail, service and tire unit sales, as well as increased car count, the Big O executives said.

Individual franchisees realized significant sales growth last year, as the franchise group's $6 million and $7 million clubs each grew by one store.

The Big O network added a net of 19 stores last year, growing to 397 locations in 20 states. California is home to the largest group of stores, 99, followed by Colorado, 65, Arizona, 54, and Utah, 42, according to the Big O Tires' dealer locator.

Keynote speakers this year were former National Basketball Association All-Star Mark Eaton, and Dave Anderson, president of LearntoLead, a leadership training and consulting company.

During the meeting, attendees raised $83,500 toward the Big O Tires Scholarship Fund, which is used to help defray education expenses for eligible employees of Big O, their franchised stores, subsidiaries and their family members. The total was 16 percent greater than in 2016, Big O said.

In addition, former Big O chief operating officer Kevin Kormondy, who retired last year after a 35-year industry career — including 20-plus with Big O Tires — was inducted into Big O Hall of Fame.