EY announced that Paul Brown, CEO of Arby’s Restaurant Group Inc., is a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 Award in the Southeast. Selected by a panel of independent judges, the award recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

Since joining Arby’s as CEO in May 2013, Brown has successfully led Arby’s growth in a hyper-competitive industry. By operating Arby’s business as a fearless startup, Brown has helped propel the 52-year-old brand to the forefront of the industry with 22 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth and 13 consecutive quarters of industry outperformance. Arby’s “Fast Crafted” market positioning, which Brown helped identify, has been instrumental in the brand’s continued success.

“I’m honored to be recognized by EY,” Brown says. “I am constantly inspired by what Arby's more than 75,000 team members and employees accomplish every day, and I am energized by the potential I see in Arby’s. This recognition further reinforces the entire organization’s efforts over the past several years.”

Brown is a member of the board of directors of H&R Block Inc., Lindblad Expeditions and FOCUS Brands Inc. He is also active in the Atlanta community, serving on the boards of the Georgia Tech Foundation, The Woodruff Arts Center, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and the Buckhead Coalition.

Now in its 30th year, the EY Entrepreneur of the Year program recognizes business leaders in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries throughout the world. Award winners will be announced on June 23.