Aslam Khan, the largest franchisee of the Church’s Chicken system, accepted his award for 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year at the International Franchise Association’s annual convention earlier this week in Las Vegas. Church’s is one of the world’s largest quick-service restaurant chicken chains, known for its hand-battered chicken and honey-butter biscuits made from scratch. Khan was awarded the IFA’s Entrepreneur of the Year award for his entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to his community, and innovations in management and operations.

“We are so proud of Aslam for earning this award,” says Jim Hyatt, CEO of Church’s Chicken. “It is an incredible honor that one of our franchisees was recognized in this way by the International Franchise Association. Aslam has been a tremendous asset to our business and to our success.”

Khan, who was born in Pakistan, immigrated to the U.S. in 1987 and got his start as a dishwasher. Now, he operates more than 225 multiunit franchised restaurants in 13 states.

“I feel it is my duty from my earned success to pay it forward to others,” Khan says. “In my operations, I’ve tried to develop programs and initiatives that give others opportunities to lead, to create better lives for themselves and their families, to promote a diverse workforce, and to reward those who work hard.”

Khan is CEO of Falcon Holdings, which operates more than 140 Church’s Chicken locations and is a multiunit operator of Long John Silver’s and A&W franchised restaurants. In 2011, Khan was bestowed the Ronald E. Harrison award by the IFA for his commitment to diversity in his operations.

Khan was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the IFA in October 2014 and accepted the award at a formal presentation during the 55th Annual Convention on February 18, 2015. The International Franchise Association is the oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide.