Pizza Inn, Inc. recently hosted its 2012 National Franchise Convention in Destin, Florida, where franchisees and team members were honored for their contributions to the company.
The three-day event was held July 29–31 and featured presentations from company leaders, breakout and educational sessions, and an awards ceremony celebrating top performers. Honorees included:
- Keith Herrley, franchise owner of Pizza Inn in Big Spring, Texas, received the Restaurant of the Year Award for his exceptional restaurant, crew, and management team’s commitment to operational excellence.
- Tom Smith, franchise owner of two Pizza Inn locations in Springfield, Missouri, received the Griff Glover Franchisee of The Year Award symbolizing exemplary dedication to customer satisfaction, community service, and leadership.
- Tim Broome, franchise owner of Pizza Inn locations in Elizabethton and Johnson City, Tennessee, received the first H.M. Poythress Award for consistently demonstrating a passion for the highest-quality products and exemplary service for the Pizza Inn brand. The award is in honor of H.M. Poythress, who helped develop the Pizza Inn brand in North Carolina.
- Bill Simmons, franchise owner of Pizza Inn locations in High Point and Shelby, North Carolina, received the Extreme Makeover Award in recognition of his accomplishments in sales growth and customer satisfaction through renovations and upgrades to his long-standing locations.
- Will Page, president of Division One Foods, received the Paul Turner Award presented by the Pizza Inn Franchise Association for outstanding personal contribution and commitment by a franchisee.
- Chef Andy Wittman, Pizza Inn culinary operations manager, received the Golden Crust Award as voted on by franchisees for the Pizza Inn corporate employee who goes above and beyond. Wittman is a driving force behind the culinary innovations at Pizza Inn, debuting new products, limited-time offers, and seasonal creations to rave reviews.
- Ed Copeland, Sr., franchise owner of Pizza Inn in Henderson, North Carolina, and a partner in several locations, received the Legacy Award for his longevity and contributions. Copeland has operated his location for 40 years.
Pizza Inn also revealed the winners of its 2012 Culinary Challenge during the convention. Franchisees and their employees submitted their original recipes for two categories: “Pizza” and “Other,” which included appetizers, Pizzerts—Pizza Inn’s signature dessert pizzas—salads, and sandwiches.
Case Clinger, franchise owner of Pizza Inn in Floyd, Virginia, received the Culinary Pizza Challenge Award for his Krazy Chicken Pizza loaded with sweet chili sauce and ranch.
Heather Vermillon, who works as a manager at Pizza Inn in Elizabethton, Tennessee, received the Culinary Pizza Challenge Award for her Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip dessert, which is made with a cake mix, peanut butter morsels, and chocolate chips.
