WASHINGTON, D.C. Feb. 16, 2011―Lynette McKee, CFE, senior vice president and chief development officer for Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. was honored today by the International Franchise Association as the Bonny LeVine Award recipient during its 51st  Annual Convention, conducted in Las Vegas.
The Bonny LeVine Award is bestowed upon a female franchisor or franchisee who has contributed to the growth of franchising, to her community through board positions, volunteer work and activities that promote the professional advancement of women, and as a mentor to women in franchising. The award was created in 1964 in memory of IFA member and Postal Instant Press co-founder Bonny LeVine to recognize her outstanding accomplishments in franchising and service as a role model for women in the franchising community.
“We congratulate Lynette on this important honor,” said IFA Chairman Ken Walker, CFE.  “Her contributions to the franchise industry have been invaluable and this award is well deserved.”
McKee has a strong background in franchising.  McKee has served on the IFA Women’s Franchising Committee and volunteers her time to work with the IFA to promote franchising in minority colleges and women’s organizations. She was named the 2005 recipient of the Crystal Compass given by the IFA Women’s Franchise Committee to an outstanding female who exemplifies leadership within the franchise industry.  McKee has also received the 2007 Emerging Leader Award from the Women’s Foodservice Forum, which is presented to a female executive with outstanding leadership qualities within her company and the industry as a whole. She was a finalist in the 2007 National Stevie Awards for outstanding women in business, and was named the 2008

Griffin Report’s
“Woman of Influence in the Food Service Industry.”
In addition to serving on the IFA Educational Foundation’s Institute of Certified Franchise Executives/ICFE Board of Governors, McKee also serves as a member of the IFA Diversity Institute.
McKee is a founding board member of the Women’s Franchise and Distribution Forum and of the Women’s Venture program in Minneapolis, a program to assist women with a desire to enter the franchising industry as an owner of a small business. She also serves on the Women’s Foodservice Forum Board of Directors and served as an Industry Representative to the National Restaurant Association’s Board of Directors from 2008-2010.
She serves on the Strategic Advisory Board of Nova Southeastern University’s International Institute for Franchise Education and has been an instructor for the Fast Track MBA program for franchise executives at the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University. 
Before joining Checkers, McKee served in executive positions at Dunkin’ Brands, Burger King and Metromedia Restaurant Group, parent company for Bennigan’s Grill and Tavern, Steak and Ale, Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouse restaurant chains in Dallas, Texas.