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Flynn Group is the largest franchise operator in the United States, focusing on multi-brand restaurant and retail operations. Founded in 1999 by Greg Flynn, the company has expanded significantly from its beginnings as a single-market Applebee’s operator. It now manages a diverse portfolio that includes well-known brands such as Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Panera Bread, and Arby’s, with over 2,500 locations across the country. The company specializes in franchise management, acquiring and optimizing underperforming locations to enhance operational efficiency and drive sales growth. Flynn Groups acquisition strategy has led to substantial growth, including the recent addition of 45 Pizza Hut locations in 2025, bringing its total to over 1,000. With a people-first approach, Flynn Group emphasizes employee training and retention, ensuring consistent customer experiences across its various dining segments.
Greater Iowa Credit Union (GICU) is a member-owned financial cooperative established in June 1932 by a group of Iowa State University employees. It has grown to serve over 36,000 members across a 33-county area in Central and Western Iowa, managing assets between $624 million and $667 million. GICU is federally insured and state-chartered, emphasizing its commitment to the financial well-being of its members and the communities it serves. GICU offers a range of financial services typical of credit unions, including banking services like checking and savings accounts, loans for personal, auto, and business needs, and possibly investment services. The credit union operates nine branch locations in cities such as Ames, Ankeny, and Des Moines, providing localized service. GICU is also dedicated to community engagement, having received recognition as the Best Credit Union in Crawford County and Story County multiple times.
Fisher Barton is a prominent manufacturing company with over 50 years of experience, founded in 1973 by metallurgist Richard L. Wilkey. Headquartered in Watertown, Wisconsin, the company has grown to employ more than 900 people worldwide. It operates as a group of independent manufacturing companies, including Fisher Barton Blades and Thermal Spray Technologies. The company specializes in materials and surface engineering, offering a diverse range of products such as industrial knives, lawnmower blades, agricultural knives, and thermal spray coatings. Fisher Barton is recognized for its metallurgical expertise, supported by an in-house lab that enhances product development and quality assurance. The company serves major clients, including John Deere, and has been acknowledged for its excellence in supply and innovation. Fisher Barton continues to focus on technological advancements and employee development to maintain its leadership in the industry.
For over 40 years, Merit Kitchens has been providing homeowners, designers, and builders with fine cabinetry at an extraordinary value. All of our products are crafted from only the best raw materials and European hardware. Combining sturdy, traditional cabinetry construction with modern storage innovations, we manufacture and assemble our products in our state-of-the-art facility, pairing the precision of machines with the delicate touch of hand-finishing. Inspired both by traditional design and todays trends, Merit Kitchens prides itself on offering stylistic diversity, manufacturing excellence, environmentally-friendly choices, and shipping that is complete and on-time, all the time.