/PRNewswire/ -- Perkins & Marie Callender's, LLC this week recognized its Franchisee of the Year, Mr. Dan Esmond, Owner/Operator of four Perkins® Restaurants & Bakeries in Lawrence, Topeka, Great Bend and McPherson, Kansas. Hailed by Perkins & Marie Callender's, LLC's President & CEO Jeff Warne as the "franchisee who best exemplifies overall excellence in operations and brand standards, a leader who inspires others and contributes to the improvement of the system while positively representing the Perkins® brand both within his restaurants, and the community," Dan Esmond, was presented with the company's most prestigious award, "Franchisee of the Year" at the annual conference in Washington D.C..