Line-X Franchisees Chapter of the AAFD announce mass exit on allegations of unacceptable material system changes 
AAFD has announced Chandrakant I. “CK” Patel, past Chair of the Asian American Hotels Owners Association (AAHOA) is this year’s recipient of the AAFD’s Total Quality Franchising Award for Lifetime Achievement. Patel will receive the AAFD’s highest individual recognition in acknowledgement for a lifetime of embracing collaborative relationships in franchising. Patel will be honored at the AAFD’s Total Quality Franchising Awards banquet on Tuesday May 7 during the AAFD’s Annual Franchisee Leadership Summit, May 5-8, at the Marriott St Louis Grand, in St. Louis, Missouri.
“For the past 25 years or more, CK has been at the forefront of efforts to advance fair franchising in the hospitality industry,” said Robert Purvin, Chairman of the AAFD. “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.”
Patel has owned and operated hotels in the Atlanta, Georgia area for more than 35 years. In June 2011, he served as Chair of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), one of the hospitality industry’s most influential industry groups, currently with nearly 20,000 members who own more than 60% of all hotels in the United States. Before serving as Chair, C.K. held consecutive elected offices in AAHOA for 14 years.
While those statistics are impressive, the innovative programs he launched during his Chairmanship, such as a universal fair franchising bill of rights, an online travel agency, and a purchasing cooperative for membership benefits, are even more important.
CK 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. C.K. 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.”
Patel reacted to news of the AAFD honor with gratitude and humility. “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.” said Patel.
Patel is one of several franchise industry luminaries who will be honored at the AAFD’s Total Quality Franchising Awards banquet. The dinner banquet is part of the AAFD’s Annual Franchisee Leadership Summit and Annual Meeting, taking place May 5-8, 2024, at the Marriott St. Louis Grand, in St. Louis, Missouri. For more information on the conference, visit AAFD Summit.
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Written by : AAFD
The AAFD is a national non-profit trade association representing the rights and interests of franchisees and independent dealers throughout the United States. The AAFD’s mission is to achieve Total Quality Franchising. We do this by promoting fair and equitable franchising and dealer practices and empowering effective independent franchise associations. We also provide members with programs, services and products which enhance their individual businesses and careers.