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Subway's annual awards give birth to program for first responders

March 22, 2019

Subway recognized more than 30 of its best business development agents for outstanding achievements last week at its annual leadership conference. It also announced that it has launched an official program to help BDAs and franchisees support first responders worldwide during and after natural disasters.BDAs at the brand are stationed in every U.S. state, as well as 100 countries nationwide to help franchisees through training, support and overall brand awareness in emerging markets, according to a news release.

"The honorees were recognized for different reasons but they all have one thing in common; they continue to be the best at what they do and serve as exceptional leaders in their territories and as an inspiration to their peers for the hard work, dedication and innovation they demonstrate on a daily basis," Subway CEO Trevor Haynes said in the release.

Co-Founders Award winners' work helps launch Subway first responder program

Puerto Rico BDA Lyle Swanson (left) and Subway CEO Trevor Haynes. Swanson and BDA team member, Jose Vasquez, received the Co-founders Award. (Photo provided)

One of the most prestigious recognitions — the Co-Founders Award — went to Lyle Swanson and Jose Vasquez in Puerto, who helped franchisees re-build after Hurricane Maria by bringing in generators and clean water, while also feeding the area's first responders supporting the recovery efforts. The efforts by award recipients inspired brand leadership to actually launch an official program to support BDAs and Franchise Owners so they can assist first responders after natural disasters.

Other BDA awards this year included:  

• Leadership award:Brothers, Raghu and Rohit Marwaha, California.
• Outstanding Community Partner award:Joe Russell of Alabama, Donna Curry of Nevada and Jackie Jones of Panama. 
• Guest Service Excellence awards: 
  • The Marwaha Group, Buena Park, California
  • Jan Holtermann, Montserrat Odlo and Franz Amrhein, Costa Rica
  • Ivan Todorov and Rumen Radev, Romania
  • Margot Micallef and Tanja Hrgovic, Canada

• Rising Star Awards: Jason West of Oklahoma and Daniel Jensen, from Australia.
• Third-party Delivery Pioneer Awards: Eric Sacks of South Florida and the team from Sachin Kapoor, India.

Ten BDAs who led the way in piloting the Fresh Forward program in their areas also were recognized from regions around the world.