For at least the 10th year in a row, Franchise Business Review (FBR) has recognized United Country Real Estate (UCRE) across multiple award categories. Among this year’s awards are those tied to the company’s unique and engaging culture, economic resiliency, and a decade or longer of being ranked among FBR’s top franchises.
Throughout
2023, United Country earned several of FBR’s Satisfaction Awards. This not only
marks a run of many consecutive years UCRE has garnered these accolades, but
also underscores the incredible efforts of the company’s agents, brokers,
auctioneers and other affiliates across the nation.
“United Country as a company does not succeed without the hard work, creativity and commitment to success of all our affiliates,” said United Country Real Estate President Mike Duffy. “These are the people who own and manage the brokerages in our broad national network from coast-to-coast … the people who, along with their dedicated team members, have played major roles in making sure UCRE remains the industry leader it has always been.”
FBR provides the only national ranking of franchises based solely on franchisee satisfaction and performance data each year. The independent research firm surveys thousands of franchise owners representing the strongest franchise brands. Survey questions focus on franchisee experience and satisfaction with training, support, operations, financial opportunity and other core business drivers.
For 2023, FBR honored United Country with awards including Top Franchises Culture, Top Franchises Recession-Proof, Top Franchises for Women, Top Franchises (general) and a 10 Years Hall of Fame award. The culture award reflects the character, team mentality and true family spirit of UCRE’s many affiliates, while the recession-proof award shows the company’s ability to adapt and succeed in any market, no matter the economic climate (UCRE has weathered 16 recessions in its nearly 100-year history).
One new award for United Country this year – the 10 Years Hall of Fame honor – points to the company being featured among FBR’s best of the best for 10 or more consecutive years. And the Top Franchises for Women recognition underscores the extraordinary success of so many of UCRE’s offices owned and managed by women. Fittingly, Payton Hamm and Stacey Carnes-Stricker, broker-owners of United Country Real Estate | Exploration Realty & Auctions, received a Franchise Rock Star award from FBR in the Women-Owned business category in July.
Hamm and Carnes-Stricker own three brokerage offices in Elk City, Altus and Yukon, Okla. Around 10 years after joining United Country in another office, the two took the leap and opened the Elk City location in 2018, before adding Altus in 2021 and Yukon in 2023. They were nominated for the Rock Star award for their unwavering dedication, positive outlook and remarkable business acumen. In only five years, Carnes-Stricker and Hamm have been very successful specializing in country homes, farms and ranches, commercial properties, homes in town, and all types of land for sale in western Oklahoma.
Congratulations to the many United Country agents, brokers, auctioneers and other affiliates across the nation who continue to beat industry expectations, while representing the network with integrity and a commitment to excellence in lifestyle and country real estate. We can’t wait to see what kind of accolades 2024 will bring.