C.K. Patel honored with Lifetime Achievement Award by franchisee organization

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The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) recognized Chandrakant I. “C.K.” Patel, past Chair of the Asian American Hotels Owners Association (AAHOA) with its 2024 Total Quality Franchising Award for Lifetime Achievement.

The award, which is AAFD’s highest individual recognition, was presented on May 7 at a banquet during the association’s Annual Franchisee Leadership Summit at the Marriott St Louis  Grand in St. Louis, Missouri, a press release from the organization said. The AAFD is the oldest and largest direct member franchisee trade association in the United States

“For the past 25 years or more, C.K. has been at the forefront of efforts to advance fair franchising in the hospitality industry,” Robert Purvin, chairman of the AAFD is quoted saying in the press release. “We are proud to recognize and honor his many years of service representing the rights of franchisees. Over the years, the AAFD has benefited greatly from Ck’s support and guidance.”

“I am deeply honored to receive the AAFD’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Over the years, it has been a pleasure to work in concert with the AAFD and with Bob Purvin, specifically, to help protect hotel franchisees success and goodwill.”

Patel has owned and operated hotels in the Atlanta, Georgia area for more than 35 years. From June of 2011 to May of 2012, he served as Chair of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), one of the hospitality industry’s most influential industry groups made up almost entirely of Indian American hoteliers, currently has nearly 20,000 members who own more than 60% of all hotels in the United States.

Before serving as Chair, CK held a series of consecutive elected offices in AAHOA for 14 years.

While those statistics are impressive, the innovative programs Patel launched during his Chairmanship are even more important, AAFD said. It highlighted CK’s universal fair franchising bill of rights, an online travel agency, and a purchasing cooperative for membership benefits.

Patel was also instrumental in promoting AAHOA’s 12 Points of Fair Franchising and using it as a tool to educate AAHOA hotelier franchises about fair franchising, and many franchisee entrepreneurs in other industries as well. He represented AAHOA and the hospitality industry on the AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards Committee that negotiated and helped promulgate the AAFD Fair Franchising Standards.

“As we all honor and celebrate C.K. Patel’s Lifetime Achievement Award, we commend his exceptional leadership and steadfast dedication to fair franchising advocacy,” said Laura Lee Blake, president & CEO of AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association). “I have worked with C.K. for many years, and he has never taken his eye off the ball. Through his educational efforts, he has influenced countless entrepreneurs within the AAHOA community and the franchisee industry, leaving an indelible mark of excellence and empowerment.  No one is more deserving of this prestigious Award.”