BUSINESS MEMO: 'FRANCHISE OF THE YEAR'

Thomas & King Inc., owners of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurants in Cape Girardeau and Paducah, Ky., have been recognized as Applebee's "Franchisee of the Year."

Thomas & King operates 61 Applebee's restaurants in Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Arizona.

Mike Scanlon, founder and chief executive officer of Thomas & King Inc., opened his first Applebee's franchise 10 years ago with one store at Lexington, Ky. In 1996, Scanlon was recognized as "Entrepreneur of the Year" by Inc. Magazine.