The company began with six restaurants in 2004.

AES Restaurant Group has become the world’s largest Arby’s franchisee following its acquisition of 23 restaurants in the Knoxville, Tennessee, market from parent company Inspire Brands.

The deal brings the Indiana-based operator to 362 Arby’s restaurants across 20 states and expands its presence in East Tennessee. AES began with six restaurants in the Indianapolis and Lafayette markets in 2004.

Owner and CEO John Wade said the milestone brings added responsibility to employees, customers, and the communities where the company operates.

“Growth alone has never been our measure of success,” Wade said in a statement. “Our success is defined by the strength of our restaurants, the opportunities we create for our employees, and the experience we deliver to our guests. Becoming the world’s largest Arby’s franchisee is an extraordinary milestone, but it also brings an even greater responsibility to deliver on those commitments every day.”

AES is headquartered in Zionsville, Indiana, and was recognized as Arby’s Franchisee of the Year in 2019. The company said it plans to focus on integrating newly acquired restaurants, improving performance, and developing future leaders as it continues to grow.

Jay Bedrosian, president and COO, said the company wants incoming restaurant teams to benefit from the experience and support available across its portfolio.

“We want our restaurant leaders to have the support and direction they need to run strong operations, and we want every location joining AES to benefit from the organization behind it,” Bedrosian said in a statement. “We are building an organization designed not simply to grow, but to grow stronger.”

The operator also supports local nonprofits through the AES Restaurant Foundation, which allows employees to nominate organizations for grants. The foundation has raised nearly $7 million over six years, with donations awarded to the communities served by its restaurants, according to the company.

“Our restaurants are part of the fabric of their communities,” Wade said. “Our employees live there, raise their families there, and understand the needs of their neighbors. We want our success as a company to create opportunities not only for our team members, but also for the communities that support us. That responsibility becomes even more important as we grow.”

Source https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/aes-restaurant-group-becomes-worlds-largest-arbys-franchisee/