Franchisees of Note: The 2026 Multi-Unit Franchisee MVP Awards

At the 2026 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference in Las Vegas, Multi-Unit Franchisee magazine recognized this year’s MVP Award winners, operators who continue to raise the bar across the franchise landscape.

These franchisees have built more than unit counts. They’ve built organizations. Over time, they’ve taken on the hard work of growing teams, refining systems, and making decisions that ripple across multiple locations. Along the way, they’ve navigated shifting consumer expectations, tighter labor markets, and the constant pressure to perform.

What sets this group apart is how they approach those challenges. They invest in people, creating pathways for employees to grow into leaders. They stay close to their numbers, using data to guide decisions while remaining grounded in day-to-day execution. And they look for opportunities to improve, whether that means adopting new technology, streamlining operations, or rethinking how they serve customers.

Their stories reflect a willingness to adapt. Some expanded into new brands. Others strengthened their existing portfolios. Many leaned on mentors, peers, and teams to work through obstacles and seize opportunities. In every case, progress came from steady effort over time.

Franchising provides a framework, but it’s the operator who brings it to life. The early mornings, the long days, the constant problemsolving: Those are the realities behind the results. This year’s MVPs have embraced that responsibility and used it to build businesses that are both resilient and forward-looking.

In the pages that follow, their experiences offer a closer look at what it takes to grow, lead, and evolve in today’s environment. Together, they represent the kind of disciplined, peoplefocused leadership that continues to shape the future of franchising.

2026 MVP Award Winners

• Luke Andrus
  Mega-Growth Leadership MVP
• Nadeem Bajwa
  American Dream MVP
• Bart and Theresa Casiello
  2026 Innovation Award MVPs
• Rick Cseak
  Veteran Entrepreneurship MVP
• Bryant Greene
  Single-Brand Leadership MVP (tie)
• Ali and Emad Lakhany
  Mega-Growth Leadership MVPs
• Katie Lee and Brian and Hope Bayer
  Single-Brand Leadership MVPs (tie)
• Jan and Mark Mansfield
  Husband & Wife Team MVPs
• Wade Oney
  Spirit of Franchising MVP
• Shak Patel
  Noble Cause MVP