MURRAY, Utah — James Long and Stan Synkoski of Apple Mountain LLC, which operates Applebee’s Grill + Bar restaurants throughout Utah and Wyoming, have been named 2026 Franchisees of the Year by the International Franchise Association, the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising.
Long and Synkoski were recognized during the IFA26 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. The Franchisee of the Year awards honor outstanding franchise owners for excellence in entrepreneurship, community involvement, workforce development and service to others.
The Utah business leaders are among franchise owners from across the country selected for the national recognition and were nominated by the Applebee’s brand. The award is one of IFA’s premier honors recognizing individual franchisees and the positive impact they make on their employees, communities and the franchise business model.
“This is an incredible honor for Stan, me and, most importantly, our entire Apple Mountain team,” said Long, president and CEO of Apple Mountain LLC. “Our success has always been built around our people and the communities we serve. This recognition belongs to the hundreds of team members who create a welcoming experience for our guests every day and who continually demonstrate what it means to be a good neighbor.”
Apple Mountain, a local, family-owned company, operates 11 Applebee’s restaurants across Utah and Wyoming, including locations in Cedar City, Layton, Orem, Riverdale, St. George, Taylorsville, Tooele, West Jordan, West Valley City, Hurricane, and Rock Springs, Wyoming.
The 2026 recognition adds another national honor to Apple Mountain’s growing list of achievements. In 2025, Apple Mountain LLC was named Applebee’s Franchisee of the Year, the brand’s highest annual franchise award. It marked the second time in five years that Apple Mountain earned the distinction, following its previous win in 2020.
The company has continued to invest in its restaurants, employees and communities. In recent years, Apple Mountain has remodeled its restaurant locations, implemented new technology designed to enhance the guest experience and expanded community partnerships supporting local organizations and causes.
“Franchisees of the Year demonstrate what franchising is all about — individuals who have committed their lives and careers to the betterment of those around them, building something bigger than themselves,” said Matt Haller, president and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “Through their leadership, they create jobs and build careers, give back to their communities, and support other franchisees, all while exemplifying the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of franchising.”
IFA’s Franchisee of the Year Award recognizes franchise owners who demonstrate community involvement, foster strong workforces, support fellow franchisees and embody the entrepreneurial spirit. According to IFA, approximately 832,000 franchise establishments operate across the United States, supporting nearly 8.8 million direct jobs and generating more than $907 billion in economic output.
About Apple Mountain LLC
Apple Mountain LLC is an Applebee’s Grill + Bar franchisee operating 11 restaurants in Utah and Wyoming, including Cedar City, Layton, Orem, Riverdale, St. George, Taylorsville, Tooele, West Jordan, West Valley City, Hurricane, and Rock Springs. Headquartered at 1935 E. Vine St., Suite 400, Murray, Utah, Apple Mountain is committed to providing exceptional guest experiences, creating opportunities for its team members and supporting the communities its restaurants serve.
About the International Franchise Association
Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the approximately 832,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.8 million direct jobs, $907.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.