Scott Svenson, cofounder and CEO of MOD Pizza, and Ally Svenson, cofounder, received the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 Award in the Emerging category for the Pacific Northwest. The award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. The Svensons were selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at the gala event in Seattle on June 17.
"We are thrilled and humbled to receive this prestigious award, particularly as it recognizes excellence in business beyond just financial performance," the Svensons said. "It's a true privilege to be recognized among a group of such inspiring individuals and we are grateful to Ernst & Young for their commitment to spotlighting the positive impact entrepreneurs are making around the world. We accept the award on behalf of the entire MOD Squad who inspire us every day with their commitment to each other and the communities they serve. This recognition is really about them and the impact they are making. Together we will continue to build a company that believes by putting your people first and committing to make a positive social impact, you can create a sustainable and prosperous business."
Since opening its first restaurant in 2008, MOD Pizza has developed a reputation as not only a cool place to eat, but an inspired place to work. The company hires for passion, not pizza making ability, and this drives its true mission: to become a force for positive change in the lives of its 'MOD Squad' and the broader community. Fueled by this mission, the company has grown rapidly; in the first half of 2016, MOD has grown its store base by over 40 percent including opening its first international store in the U.K. Today, MOD has 130 locations and more than 3,200 team members across the United States and United Kingdom.
As Pacific Northwest award winners, the Svensons move on to the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2016 national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 19, 2016. The awards are the culminating event of the EY Strategic Growth Forum, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies. The US Entrepreneur Of The Year Overall Award winner then moves on to compete for the World Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Monaco, June 2017.
