GUILLERMO PERALES

CEO / PRESIDENT

Guillermo Perales began his journey into the world of franchise ownership with a single store and an ambitious dream in 1997. Crediting a combination of “luck, hard work, and a constant quest to expand”, his Sun Holdings’ portfolio today features over 800 locations that employ nearly 17,000 people and generate revenue of over $700 million dollars a year. Sun Holding’s stores include Burger King, Popeyes, Arby’s, Krispy Kreme, Cici’s, Golden Corral, GNC, and T-Mobile.

His impressive acquisitions have positioned Perales as the eighth largest franchise owner in the United States, and top Hispanic franchisee in the country!

Perales’ tremendous success in restaurant operations, real estate, and general management are all rooted in his commitment to education. He graduated with high honors from the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey as a CPA before moving to the United States and earning his MBA from Texas A&M University. The meteoric company growth that seemed to follow for Perales often has industry peers and colleagues calling him a “rock star” in the franchise realm. Yet, Perales remains deeply grounded and passionate about the importance of sharing his leadership and experience with new generations of entrepreneurs, especially those in the Latino business community.

Awards, Honors, and Recognition

Latino Leaders magazine has honored him several times on their annual “101 List” as one of the most influential Latinos in the nation. He has also been selected as “Entrepreneur of the Year” by highly-regarded firms and organizations such as Ernst & Young, Asociacion de Empresarion Mexicanos, TAMACC, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the International Franchise Association. PODER Magazine showcased Perales as one of the country’s “Top Hispanic Entrepreneurs” and Al Dia recognized him as their “Man of the Year”.

On each such occasion, as with his recent accolade by Nation’s Restaurant News and their prestigious 2016 Golden Chain Award, Perales is always quick to turn the spotlight away from himself and onto his senior executives and tens of thousands of employees who move Sun Holdings forward every day.

GUILLERMO PERALES' ACCOLADES

2016 Ranked #10 by Forbes Americas's Largest Restaurant Franchisee2016 Recognized as Latino Executive of the Year by D CEO Magazine
2016 Golden Chain Award, Multi Unit Food service Operations
2016 One of the 50 most powerful people in food service, Restaurant News' Power List
2016 Ranked #18 Dallas Business Journal's Middle Market 50 List
2015 Entrepreneur of the Year, Asociacian Empresarios Mexicanos
2015 Ranked #8 by Monitor 200 Top 200 Franchisees in the US
2015 Entrepreneur of the Year, International Franchise Association (IFA)
2016 Ranked #1 North Texas Hispanic-Owned Business by Dallas Business Journals "The List"
2014 Ranked #7 Multi Unit operated by Multi Unit Franchisee Magazine
2014 Ranked #1 Largest North Texas Hispanic owned Business by Dallas Business Journal
2014 Largest North Texas Minority Owned Business by Dallas Business Journal
2014 Empire Builder Award from the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

2013 Ranked #1 Minority Owned Business owner in North Texas
2013 American Dream Award
2013 Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recognition award as 19th Largest US Company on Hispanic Business 500 Ranking
2013 Franchise Dealmaker of the Year by Franchise Times
2013 "The Maestro" Award by Latino Leaders Magazine
2012 Voted Burger King's Developer of the Year
2012 Lifetime Achievement Award, The Latino Hotel and Restaurant Association
2011 Awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by TAMACC
2009 Honored with the Latino Maestro Leaders Entrepreneurship Award
2009 Acknowledged by Poder Magazine as one of the Top Hispanic Entrepreneurs
2008 Awarded prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young
2008 Awarded Celebration of Diversity Awards organized by Ernst & Young
Most Innovative Corporate Diversity Program Award
2003 - 2006 Popeyes Developer of the Year and has received numerous plaques