RNR Tire Express (RNR) recently closed its 21st annual franchise conference, which welcomed operators, team members, and vendors from across the country to Orlando for a weekend of shared insights, growth projections, and franchisee recognition.
The latter is historically done by awarding some of the brand’s highest honors: Franchisee of the Year, Faye Sutton Woman of the Year, and Rookie of the Year. The year’s posthumous awarding of the Lifetime Achievement Award to longtime franchisee Richard Rose took center stage at the conference.
Rose joined the RNR family in 2008, opening his first of nine franchise locations in Norfolk, Virginia, with a belief in the value that the rent-to-own model could offer communities and underserved demographics. His work in the 15 years since impacted the lives of tens of thousands of customers, and helped better the lives of countless team members who he helped mentor all along the way.
“Richard was a devoted soul intent on changing as many lives as he could. He embodied everything that RNR stands for, and I feel privileged to have had him as a part of our system,” said RNR Tire Express Founder/CEO Larry Sutton. “He led with a level of business acumen and compassion that is rarely seen in this industry, and which we could all emulate in our own lives. I can think of no person more deserving.”
Members of the Rose family were in attendance to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award on Richard’s behalf. A fitting gesture, as Rose’s two sons will continue to operate their father’s franchise locations in Virginia and ensure his legacy continues within the RNR system.
