Long-time Franchisees Bob Clairday and Daven Acker Honored
Pizza Inn, the international pizza restaurant with a local hometown feel, honored its top franchisees at the annual Pizza Inn Convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. On Tuesday, October 18, longtime franchisee, the brand honored Bob Clairday with the H.M. Poythress Award and franchisee Daven Acker was name Franchisee of the Year.
“Pizza Inn is truly America’s hometown pizza restaurant due to the hard work and dedication of our franchisees,” said Pizza Inn President, Bob Bafundo. “We have so many second and third generations franchise owners that take such pride in making their restaurants wonderful centers of their communities. The Pizza Inn Convention is like a big family reunion where we celebrate this success.”
Jill Nielsen, daughter of H.M. Poythress and second-generation Pizza Inn franchisee presented the H.M. Poythress award to Arkansas franchisee Bob Clairday, a 42-year franchisee, for consistently demonstrating a passion for the highest quality products and services for the Pizza Inn brand. Clairday started selling Canadian bacon to the local Pizza Inn franchisee in 1967 and then bought two locations in Jonesboro in 1974.
“Bob and my daddy served on multiple Pizza inn boards together over the years,’ said Nielsen. “They both loved this brand and they spent many years helping to make it successful for the next generation. My dad would be so proud that Bob received this award.”
Daven Acker, multi-unit franchisee from South Carolina received multiple awards including the Griff Glover Franchisee of the Year Award for symbolizing exemplary dedication to customer satisfaction, community service and team leadership. Mike Glover, son of Griff Glover second-generation franchisee, presented the award to Acker.
Larry Rust, franchisee from Paducah, KY received the Extreme Makeover award for sales growth due to remodeling efforts. Jamey Brown from Knoxville, TN received the Paul Turner award for his personal contribution and commitment. Top Sales award went to Rocky Mount, NC and franchisee Steve Stancil.
In 1958, two Texas brothers opened the first Pizza Inn across from the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. As word spread of the restaurant’s exceptional pizza and friendly service, so did Pizza Inn locations. In no time, taste buds across the country were able to experience the made–from–scratch crispy, crackery Original Thin crust and tangy signature sauce that are still hallmarks of the Pizza Inn brand today. Pizza Inn continues to be a leader in pizza innovation through menu additions like introducing the Taco Pizza, the first dessert “pizzert” pizza and the chain’s hallmark bacon cheeseburger pizza.
Founded in 1958, Pizza Inn is an international pizza chain featuring traditional and specialty pizzas, as well as freshly made pastas, sandwiches, and desserts. Pizza Inn was recently inducted in to the Pizza Hall of Fame by PMQ Magazine. Pizza Inn is a subsidiary of RAVE Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: RAVE) based in Dallas. RAVE owns, franchises and supplies more than 300 Pizza Inn and Pie Five restaurants operating domestically and internationally. For more information, please visit www.pizzainn.com.
