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Brightway Insurance names Multi-unit Owner, Chris Cole, Agency of the Year for top revenue in 2017

Jan 23, 2018

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Brightway Insurance, one of the largest property/casualty agencies in the U.S., named Chris Cole, Owner of Brightway, The Cole Agency, as its 2017 Agency Owner of the Year (Revenue). This is the second consecutive year that Cole has earned Brightway’s top award. He opened his first Brightway store in Palm Springs in 2010 and his second location in Boynton Beach in 2014.

Cole won the award for earning the highest revenue in the Brightway system. Today, there are 152 Brightway stores across 19 states. Brightway, The Cole Agency added another 3,384 policies to its book in 2017, driving the stores’ annualized written premium to nearly $25 million by year-end 2017. Brightway’s leadership team presented the award to Cole during the company’s annual Awards Celebration held Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Fla.

“We’re extremely proud of Chris Cole and his team and look forward to this time each year when we recognize our top Agents like him,” said Brightway Co-Founder and Chairman, Michael Miller. “Brightway is a proven franchise system that provides an unparalleled, comprehensive system of support empowering Store Owners to outsell the competition three-to-one, grow their business and build an asset for their family.”

Not only did Cole earn the top award of the night, but also he received the award for selling the most Home insurance policies in 2017.

Vincent Zanfini from Brightway, The Barletta Agency in Stuart, Fla.; Alexander Cull from Brightway, Boca North in Boca Raton, Fla.; and Ben Barnes from Cole’s Palm Springs office earned the $1 Million Producer award for selling more than $1 million in written premium. Zanfini has won the award five years in a row, and Barnes has won it two years in a row.

“Congratulations to Chris Cole, Vincent Zanfini, Alexander Cull and Ben Barnes on their 2017 achievements,” said Brightway President, Talman Howard. “Brightway franchisees focus on selling new business, which helps them achieve high production. We’re thrilled to see our Store Owners and Producers reach their potential by leveraging the Brightway system.”

Brightway Store Owners enjoy support in customer service, carrier relationships, marketing, accounting and technology. As a result, Brightway stores consistently outsell other insurance agencies three-to-one.*

About Brightway Insurance Brightway Insurance is a national property/casualty insurance retailer selling through a network of franchised independent stores throughout the country. With more than $500 million in annualized written premium, the company is one of the largest property and casualty agencies in the United States.

Brightway began franchising operations in 2008 and has since grown to more than 700 people in 19 states serving customers in all 50 states. Forbes has recognized the company as America’s No. 1 Franchise to Buy. Additionally, the company was named a top franchise three years in a row by Entrepreneur magazine and one of the fastest-growing private companies in America nine consecutive years by Inc. 5000. People wishing to learn more about franchise ownership with Brightway may visit our franchise page and find us on LinkedIn. Consumers seeking a better insurance buying experience may visit Brightway.com and find us on Facebook.