Sponsored content by Moran Family of Brands.

Moran Family of Brands is proud to recognize Randy Whitworth of Mr. Transmission in Pelham and Hoover, Alabama, and Chris Laverdure of Turbo Tint in Cary, North Carolina, as their 2026 Franchisees of the Year. While their journeys are very different, both have made a lasting impact on their brands, their customers and their fellow franchise owners.

Randy Whitworth: Building a Legacy with Mr. Transmission

For Randy Whitworth, Mr. Transmission has been more than a business—it has been a career built from the ground up.

Randy began his career as a technician before progressing into roles as a builder and manager and eventually becoming a Mr. Transmission franchise owner at the Hoover, Alabama, location, and expanded his business by purchasing the Pelham location. Today, he continues to own and operate both locations, drawing on decades of experience within the Mr. Transmission system.

In recent years, he has mentored franchisees, sharing the knowledge and experience he has gained over nearly two decades as an owner. He regularly welcomes other franchisees into his locations to see the business firsthand, offering guidance on everything from day-to-day operations and customer service to sales processes and team development.

That commitment has also grown into a family legacy. Over the years, Randy has taught his children the business and helped develop the next generation of leaders within his own shops. Several members of Randy’s family work alongside him in the business, supporting both the day-to-day operations and management of his locations. What began as Randy’s own career in the automotive industry has grown into a multigenerational family business and a lasting commitment to the Mr. Transmission brand.

Randy’s story reflects what the Mr. Transmission brand has been built around for generations: technical expertise, strong relationships, proven processes and a commitment to helping customers and fellow business owners succeed.

Chris Laverdure: Bringing Passion and Innovation to Turbo Tint

When Chris Laverdure joined Turbo Tint in 2023, he brought with him a strong background in sales leadership and experience developing high-performing teams. He has applied that experience to building his Cary, North Carolina, location with a focus on customer service, employee development and continued growth.

One area where Chris has made an impact is customer education. He has embraced social media as an extension of the customer experience to help people better understand window tint, and paint protection. That same educational approach carries into the shop, where helping customers understand their options is an important part of building trust.

Developing his team has been equally important. Chris has invested in training and mentoring employees, helping team members take on greater responsibilities as the business has grown. That focus on development has helped create a strong workplace culture while maintaining an emphasis on quality and customer service. His willingness to mentor also extends beyond his own team. Chris makes time to share his experiences with newer franchise owners, offering insight into sales, operations and the lessons he has learned while growing his business.

Through his focus on people, customer education and continuous improvement, Chris has built a strong foundation for his business while also finding opportunities to share what he has learned with others in the franchise community.

Two Stories, One Commitment

Randy and Chris represent two different brands and two different franchise journeys, but they share many of the qualities that strengthen the Moran Family of Brands. Together they represent the impact strong franchise owners can have beyond their individual businesses. Through their commitment to their teams, customers and fellow franchisees, both have built successful businesses while contributing to the continued growth of their respective brands.

Read about the 2026 Franchisee of the Year award winners HERE.

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