Local Sonic franchisee Ted Kergan, CEO of Kergan Bros. Inc., received Sonic Industries’ highest honor, the Troy Smith Award, for 2015.
Named for Sonic’s founder, the Troy Smith Award recognizes lifetime achievement for an individual who has been with the company for a considerable number of years and made a significant contribution to the brand in terms of leadership, chain growth and positive influence.
Kergan received the award during the company’s national convention in Kansas City, Mo. As the winner, he was also inducted into the Troy Smith Hall of Fame.
Kergan began his career with Sonic in 1977 as general manager of a location in Alexandria. Kergan Bros., which ranks No. 20 on ABiz’s list of the Top 50 Private Companies in the region with $107 million in revenues last year, now owns and operates 54 Sonic restaurants throughout Louisiana.
Also at this year’s national convention, Kergan Bros.’ location in Pineville won a gold medal in the Dr. Pepper Sonic Games competition.
An annual competition open to Sonic’s roughly 3,600 locations nationwide, the Sonic Games is based on training, service, operations and cleanliness. Throughout the year, competitors are narrowed down to 12 finalists.
The Pineville restaurant, one of three Kergan Bros. locations named as a finalist in this year’s Sonic Games, is recognized as the “Best Sonic in the U.S.”
In addition, the Pineville staff claimed three individual medals, while Kergan Bros.’ team in Rayne earned two individual medals, and its location on Highland Road in Baton Rouge received the Spirit Award.