Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue III, 2013 | Page 14

2013 MVP AWARDS

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Outstanding multi-unit performers are honored

ach year, Multi-Unit Franchisee magazine recognizes
outstanding performers with our annual MVP Awards.
Honorees demonstrate character, innovation, and
generous contributions to their markets and brands.
Here’s a preview of this year’s winners. Their full profiles follow. We thank Comcast Business Class for sponsoring this
year’s MVP Awards.

STEVE BALIVA Noble Cause Award
For passionate, unwavering support for those in need

Steve Baliva brings consistency to operations and profitability
in his three brands. But what earned him the Noble Cause
Award was his response to Hurricane Sandy: Tom’s River, N.J.,
is not only where his T.G.I. Friday’s are located, it’s where he
lives. “We knew it was coming and thought that we had five
restaurants in the path of it,” says Baliva. “Turns out we had
seven.” He re-opened quickly, fed residents and employees,
delivered supplies to local shelters, and led a company-wide
drive to gather supplies for the victims.

WILLIAM RAY BRUCE Noble Cause Award
For passionate, unwavering support for those in need

After viewing a documentary about hungry people in the U.S.
dumpster-diving for food, William Ray Bruce was moved to
action. Working with the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake, where
his company, Abundant Brands, is based, Bruce collects the
excess rice, beans, pork, and tortillas from the company’s 16
Costa Vida restaurants and bakes it into a seven-layer burrito
dish served every Thursday to about 500 people.

SAMANTHA GOLDSMITH Influencer Award
For demonstrating the path to success to other franchisees

In less than 3 years, 25-year-old Samantha Goldsmith has
opened 10 Red Mangos on her native Long Island. That
makes her the brand’s youngest franchisee and largest multiunit owner. A big believer in marketing, she uses Facebook,
Twitter, and Foursquare to promote growth. “It’s great when
young people come to the manager and ask if I’m there because they want to talk to me about being successful.”

JOE HERTZMAN Innovation Award
For bringing a new and unique contribution to their brand

Joe Hertzman opened his first Rally’s restaurant 28 years
ago. Today he operates 24 Papa John’s, 13 Rally’s, and 7
Long John Silver’s. He’s always been an innovator: last year
he played a critical role in developing a program to improve
lunch performance at Rally’s; and, taking a cue from his kids,
he pushed to add a waffle cone to the brand’