Taking time to reconnect and recharge, Burger 21, an award-winning fast casual franchise, recently celebrated its top performing franchisees and partners with national honors at its third annual reunion in Clearwater, FL.
“In the growing better burger sector, our franchisees set us apart,” says Mark Johnston, president of Burger 21. “Our franchisees play an integral role in elevating the Burger 21 brand and without their hard work each day we wouldn’t be where we are today. These award winners represent sophisticated operators and outstanding strategic partners that help make Burger 21 deliver the best burger experience ever.”
Individual and team franchisee awards were announced at a private awards dinner for outstanding achievements in 2017. Honorees included:
Top Sales – Corley Steward, Mall of Georgia and Buford, GA
Deskto Delicious – Ed Karayanes and Art Chmiel, Orland Park, IL
Deskto Spotless – Dennis Saller and Whitney Prieto, Viera, FL
Deskto A Rising Star – David Brown and Corley Steward, Kennesaw, GA
Deskto Franchisee of the Year – Ed Karayanes and Art Schmiel, Orland Park, IL
Deskto Restaurant of the Year – Mark Schramm, Westchase-Tampa, FL
Deskto Marketed – Alexis Shanks, Ray Patel and Joseph Yu, Ashburn and Sterling, VA
Marketer on the Move– Todd Dennis, Brian Neel, and Dan Argabrite, Ballantyne, NC
The “Road Warriors” awards were also presented to recognize individuals from a variety of positions at company-owned locations who provided continuous support in a new restaurant before, during and after its grand opening. Recipients included:
Deskto Road Warrior Support – Larry Rivers, Westchase-Tampa, FL
Wrapping up honors at the reunion, four additional awards were given at the annual vendor appreciation dinner to recognize outstanding businesses that partnered with Burger 21. Recipients included:
Deskto A Team Player – BizCom Associates
Deskto Innovative – Monin Gourmet Flavorings
Deskto Excellent – EMPAD
Deskto Vendor of the Year – Wolverine
With 22 locations currently open in the following states; Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia, and with 15 in development, Burger 21 is a “beyond the better burger” fast casual franchise concept founded in 2010. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, Burger 21 is a chef-inspired brand with 21 unique hand-crafted burger creations. Burger 21 is uniquely offering not only freshly ground Certified Angus Beef, but also chicken, turkey, vegetarian, shrimp and tuna burgers, fresh salads, all-beef hot dogs, chicken tenders and an extensive shake bar including hand-crafted shakes, floats and sundaes. Since its inception, the company has provided more than $217,697 in contributions as part of its “B Charitable” initiative, in which it donates 10 percent of its restaurants’ sales to local schools and charities on the 21st of each month.
