AES Restaurant Group Named Arby’s Franchisee of the Year for 2019

AES Restaurant Group received multiple recognitions at Arby’s annual franchisee conference, including Franchisee of the Year.

John Wade, President of AES Group, was named Chairman of Arby’s Franchise Association (AFA). As Chairman, Wade will oversee all aspects of the AFA, which helps to fuel innovation and growth across the brand.

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Wade entered the restaurant industry at the age of 16, transforming a job into a career. After joining RTM Restaurant Group in 1991, Wade was promoted to Area Supervisor after a few months. He was later promoted to Director of Operations, and he also served as Vice President of Operations for the Mid America Region. In 2004, Wade erected AES Group, following the acquisition of six Arby’s restaurants. Now, his franchisee owns and operates 72 restaurants across Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia.

“I’m thrilled to join the AFA Board of Directors as Chairman. I have a long history with the brand, and I’m immensely proud to have been a part of one of the biggest turnarounds in QSR history,” said Wade. “Over the years, Arby’s has grown an incredibly strong franchisee community. I look forward to further strengthening our community, partnering with leadership and ensuring Arby’s is well-positioned for long-term growth.”

Wade’s franchisee, AES Restaurant Group, was also recognized as Franchisee of the Year. The award recognizes one franchise organization for its outstanding growth, involvement with the Arby’s Foundation and overall commitment to the Arby’s brand.