Burger King Corp. has announced the refranchising of 96 company-owned restaurants in the Orlando/Daytona, Fla., market to Magic Burgers LLC, a subsidiary of Sun Holdings LLC and wholly-owned and operated by long-time franchisee Guillermo Perales.
This acquisition makes Perales the fourth largest franchise operator in the U.S. and the largest minority franchisee with 167 restaurants throughout Florida and Texas.
"Guillermo Perales is an experienced restaurateur and has been an instrumental franchisee within the Burger King system for more than 10 years," said Steve Wiborg, president of North America, BKC. "He is an exemplary franchisee with a passion for the Burger King brand and a drive for success. His keen business sense and operational know-how have been key elements in the successful turn-around for us in the Dallas market and he continues to invest in the brand with his acquisition and remodeling efforts."
Born in Saltillo, Mexico, Perales founded Sun Holdings LLC in 1997 and joined the Burger King system in 1999. He is president of the International Hispanic Franchisee Association and represents this association on Burger King Corp.'s Inclusion Advisory Council, a group of franchisees and community leaders that helps integrate diversity and inclusion into all aspects of the Burger King business strategy.
In 2008, Perales was given the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and International Business Achievement award by the Dallas Regional Chamber. Last year, he was awarded the Developer of the Year award from Burger King Corp. along with the Hispanic Business Man of the Year award by the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce. Perales has been featured on four occasions in Latino Leaders Magazine's 101 List as one of the most influential Latinos in the United States.
"My continued investment in the Burger King system demonstrates my confidence in the company's ability to grow this great brand and make owning and operating Burger King restaurants more profitable for franchisees," Perales said.
His company will remodel 69 restaurants with the company's new global 20/20 design within the next three years in the Florida market, and 40 restaurants in the Dallas area.
Perales said he also plans to continue expanding his business by opening seven more Burger King units in Dallas this year, and 10 more within the next five years in Orlando.
Sun Holdings LLC operates 167 Burger King restaurants, 72 Popeye's franchises, 33 Golden Corral restaurants, 46 CiCi's restaurants, four Del Taco restaurants and five Denny's restaurants.
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