SAN ANTONIO — Big O Tires franchisees from six states were recognized at the recent Big O annual meeting in San Antonio with the group's top honors — Point of Light, Standing "O" and Franchisee of the Year awards.
Doug Powers, a franchisee since 1974 with six stores in Kentucky, received the Point of Light Award, which recognizes franchisees who have contributed to the Big O organization with their knowledge, expertise and dedication.
Big O Tires, a business unit of TBC Corp., singled out three franchisee groups — who are among the group's top 40 stores by sales — for Franchisee of the Year honors:
- Brian and Chad Cunningham, owners of a pair of stores in Colorado, franchisees for more than two years;
- Kent and Kory Coleman, owners of seven stores in Utah, franchisees for 11 years; and
- Chris Monteverde, co-owner of a 15-store group in California.
This was the second year the Franchisee of the Year awards were presented, Big O said. Candidates are evaluated by an executive committee based on their community involvement and feedback from other franchisees.
Two franchisees — Tom Walker, co-owner of two stores in Indiana; and Tim and Terri Hollander, owners of three stores in New Mexico — were among four recipients of the Standing "O" Awards, which recognize franchisees and TBC employees for going "above and beyond" to support Big O.
The corporate winners were Garry Fox, franchise business consultant for the New Mexico region, and Heather Fernandez, manager of paid media/SEM for TBC.
Big O also singled out Bart and Kim Yerxa, franchisees with a pair of stores in the Las Cruces, New Mexico, area, as the winners of the IFA Award, which is presented by the Independent Franchise Association for achievement and commitment in business and community.
During the event, participants raised $120,000 for the Big O Tires Scholarship Fund, up significantly from the $83,500 raised in 2017.
Nearly 700 invitees, including franchisees, vendors, guests and corporate staff, attended Big O's annual event, held April 24-27 in San Antonio.