KANSAS CITY, MO--(Marketwired - October 28, 2015) - H&R Block (NYSE: HRB), the world's largest consumer tax services provider, honored four Featured Franchisees of the Year at its National Franchise Convention. More than 1,500 franchisees competed for the awards in four categories: rookie, and owner of one-two, three-seven or eight or more tax offices.
Winners were selected from among the top 100 franchisees who led in key growth areas, including the number of returning clients, growth in the number of returns prepared, client satisfaction and overall revenue growth. In addition to leading top-performing franchises, a demonstrated commitment to H&R Block core values to do the right thing made up half the selection criteria.
"All of our Featured Franchisees of the Year exemplify H&R Block's 'called to serve' spirit," said Kip Knight, president of U.S. retail operations for H&R Block. "Not only do those honored operate tax offices that serve our clients well, they also are active participants in their communities. They all live by H&R Block's pledge to support the communities we live, work and play in."
These are the Featured Franchisees of the Year award winners:
- Frank Pasatieri from East Meadow, N.Y., was honored in the rookie category. Pasatieri has been a CPA for 27 years and an H&R Block franchisee for one year. He's the coach of a little league baseball team and his office is the team's sponsor. Plus, Frank's office is a member of the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce and a supporter of the local police and fire departments.
- Carolee Anderson from Worthington, Minn., was selected for the one-two office category. Anderson is an enrolled agent and a Top 100 franchisee for three consecutive years. She volunteers for numerous organizations, assists immigrants, and sponsors several local sports and arts groups. Watch this short interview with Anderson right after she received her award at the National Franchise Convention.
- Jaye Tritz from Twin Lakes, Wis., was named the featured franchisee in the three-seven office category. Tritz is an enrolled agent and a certified financial planner. A nationally certified instructor for the National Association of Tax Preparers, she teaches in 14-20 cities each year and acts as an ambassador for H&R Block, and she is a mentor to other franchisees and tax professionals. Her tax offices have participated in pilot programs that help H&R Block ensure successful nationwide delivery.
- Donna Orford, Irma Urbizo and Bibiano Lopez from Duluth, Ga., received the honor in the category for franchisees owning eight or more offices. The team is known for being willing to lend a helping hand to fellow franchisees, and it encourages its tax professionals to become enrolled agents or CPAs.
Honorees were recognized with a commemorative crystal award, monetary award, a letter signed by company co-founder Henry W. Bloch and special accommodations at the National Franchise Convention hotel.
Close to six decades of franchise support
The Featured Franchisees of the Year are part of a long tradition of H&R Block franchisees. The company opened its first franchise office in 1956 and virtually created the franchise model. With almost 60 years of franchising history, H&R Block has created a support system franchisees use to market their business, serve their clients and expand to new offices.
H&R Block franchisees now operate more than 3,700 H&R Block offices nationally. To learn more about H&R Block, visit www.hrblock.com/franchise or call 1-800-HRBLOCK.
About H&R Block
H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is the world's largest consumer tax services provider. More than 680 million tax returns have been prepared worldwide by and through H&R Block since 1955. In fiscal 2015, H&R Block had annual revenues of nearly $3.1 billion with 24.2 million tax returns prepared worldwide. Tax return preparation services are provided by professional tax preparers in approximately 12,000 company-owned and franchise retail tax offices worldwide, and through H&R Block tax software products. H&R Block also offers adjacent Tax Plus products and services. For more information, visit the H&R Block Newsroom at http://newsroom.hrblock.com/.
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