Judd Shader, Rhen Morales and Craig Pitman are Midas' top franchisees

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — TBC Corp.'s Midas International franchise group has honored Judd Shader, Rhen Morales and Craig Pitman as its franchisees of the year for 2017.

This is the third year for the awards, which highlight franchisees' commitment to Midas' core values, as well as sales growth, community involvement, business engagement and loyalty to the brand, TBC said.

Speaking of the award winners, Ron Seagle, Midas vice president and general manager, said, "The dedication they show to their customers, their business, their communities and the Midas brand is exemplary, and we are both fortunate and proud to have them as part of the Midas family."

Mr. Shader, the multi-shop Franchisee of the Year, is driven to excel, Midas said. His company, Greenwood Village, Colo.-based Leeds West Groups, operates 85 Midas locations, including 42 Auto Systems Experts stores that it acquired last year and one that opened in Thornton, Colo., on July 23.

Leeds West also operates a dozen Big O Tires locations.

Mr. Shader encourages all of his store managers to give back to their communities, Midas said, and demonstrates the philosophy by being active in the Midas partnership with community food banks through the Drive Out Hunger initiative.

Team members at his King of Prussia, Pa., location, for example, offer free oil changes to customers who donate at least 10 cans of food and donate their car-repair skills free of charge to families with cancer-stricken children, volunteer and raise funds for a law enforcement bereavement organization and children's hospital, discount repairs for first responders' personal vehicles and sponsor little-league and school events.

They are led by district manager Jim Leary, a former police officer and firefighter.

Mr. Morales, a Midas franchisee since 2014, has expanded to three locations in the San Francisco Bay area with double-digit sales increases. He is "highly engaged" in his business, Midas said, helping his employees set goals and monitor their performance, as well as providing them with training opportunities.

Mr. Morales said his employees embody the Midas core values and are committed to being partners with their customers and building trusting relationships.

Mr. Pitman opened his store in downtown Toronto in August 2016 and has excelled since, posting 50-percent growth and tripling the number of employees to improve customer service. He plans to add more stores as well, Midas said.

Through co-op opportunities to facilitate growth, Mr. Pitman is able to give back to his local community and future generations.