FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Buddy’s Home Furnishings Celebrates 65 Years At 2026 Annual Conference
Annual Conference Brings Buddy’s Community Together In Orlando To Celebrate Top Performers, Strengthen Leadership
Orlando, Fla. — September 14, 2026 — Buddy’s Home Furnishings celebrated 65 years in business during its 2026 Annual Leadership Meeting, held Aug. 10 through 12 at Loews Royal Pacific Resort in Orlando, Florida. The three-day event brought together franchise owners, store managers, corporate team members and members of Buddy’s ownership group to share insights and recognize achievements across the franchise system.
The conference kicked off Monday with a meeting of Buddy’s Franchise Advisory Board. Over the next two days, attendees took part in a general session, Vendor Show, Buddy’s Hot Show, the annual Peak Performance Awards and breakout sessions for owners and managers to share ideas and best practices. Founded in 1961, Buddy’s marked the milestone by reflecting on six-and-a-half decades of serving families and communities while focusing on the opportunities ahead. The annual meeting centered on collaboration across the Buddy’s network with programming designed to strengthen leadership and encourage innovation.
“Celebrating 65 years is an incredible milestone for Buddy’s, but what makes it especially meaningful is getting to celebrate alongside the people who continue to move this brand forward,” said Michael Bennett, CEO of Buddy’s Home Furnishings. “Our franchise owners, store leaders and team members have built a strong community rooted in shared knowledge and a commitment to serving our customers. This meeting gives us the opportunity to recognize what we’ve accomplished together while continuing to learn from one another and build for the future.”
One of the meeting’s standout sessions was a candid panel discussion with members of Buddy’s ownership group including Skyline Investors Founder and Managing Partners Jeremy May and Kevin Tom, Principals and Founders of Standard Communities, Jeffrey Jaeger and Scott Alter, and Buddy’s Executive Chairman Jamey Edwards. Led by CEO Michael Bennett, the conversation tackled some of the toughest questions facing the business and franchise system, giving the panelists an opportunity to address them directly and share their perspectives on Buddy’s future. Their engagement extended beyond the panel, with members of the ownership group actively participating in conversations with franchisees, store leaders and corporate team members throughout the three-day event.
Another highlight of the conference was Buddy’s annual Peak Performance Awards, recognizing the store leaders and regional teams whose performance and leadership stood out across the system.
Shannon Silvia received the Norman Slatton Excellence Award and was named Store of the Year. Silvia also earned first place in the Five Star category.
Additional Peak Performance Award recipients included:
- Five Star: Shannon Silvia, first place; Stephanie Diane Wyche, second place; Kappa Investments, Danville, VA, third place; and Omar Colon, fourth place
- Four Star: Elijah Blake Weisenfeld, first place; Darcolby “Colby” Miller, second place; and Delta Lide, third place
- Three Star: Corry Bradford, first place and Tammy Quinones-Davila, second place
- Two Star: Jack Miner
- Most Improved Store: Jimmy Moran
- Region of the Year: Luke Torbert, Tier 2
- Tier 1 Top Region: Ray Muncy
- Tier 3 Top Region: Gabriel Soto
- Top Peak Performer Award – $2 Million Club: Shaun Davis, Cameron Tucker and Eric Marrero
The 65th anniversary celebration carried through the conference’s evening festivities with an “All Things 60s” theme, paying tribute to the decade when Buddy’s was founded. Attendees embraced the theme with 1960s-inspired attire during the Hot Show and Peak Performance Winners Dinner and Celebration.
The meeting concluded Wednesday with dedicated breakout sessions for Buddy’s owners and managers, providing additional opportunities for leaders throughout the system to exchange ideas and learn from one another.
“For 65 years, Buddy’s has continued to evolve, but our people and our commitment to our communities have remained at the heart of who we are,” added Bennett. “As we look ahead, we’re excited about the opportunities to continue strengthening our franchise system, supporting our operators and introducing even more customers and communities to Buddy’s.”
To learn more about Buddy’s Home Furnishings and to explore franchise opportunities, visit BuddysFranchising.com.
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About Buddy’s Home Furnishings
Buddy’s Home Furnishings, which operates under the ownership of Skyline Investors, LLC, is a retailer specializing in the sales and rental ownership of furniture, electronics, and appliances. Buddy’s has more than 220 stores in the United States and Guam and has earned a fifth consecutive ranking in the Franchise 500. For more information, visit BuddysFranchising.com.
About Skyline Investors
Skyline Investors is a Los Angeles-based private equity firm specializing in micromarket companies with revenues ranging from $5 million to $50 million. Skyline provides flexible capital solutions, including control equity, mezzanine financing, and special situations funding. The firm invests across complementary sectors focused on community development, including healthcare, consumer and business services, technology, and domestic manufacturing. With a community-centered approach, Skyline partners with management teams to drive growth while creating jobs and empowering business owners to achieve their financial goals. For more information, visit www.skylineinv.com.
