Category : News
Dr. Bharat Sangani Named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year®

Dr. Bharat Sangani, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dallas-based Encore Enterprises, Inc., has been named a winner of the Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 Southwest Award. The prestigious program recognizes visionary leaders of high-growth companies who are driving innovation, growth and prosperity for future generations.
Dr. Bharat Sangani, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dallas-based Encore Enterprises, Inc., has been named a winner of the Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 Southwest Award.
Dr. Sangani, a practicing, board-certified cardiologist, founded Encore Enterprises in 1999, a diversified investment and development firm. Over the past three decades, he has overseen nearly $6 billion in real estate and private equity transactions while leading the company’s expansion across commercial real estate, operating companies and strategic investment partnerships. Encore’s holdings include multifamily and hospitality properties, retail centers, government-leased facilities, healthcare-related ventures, dining concepts, a growing private equity platform, and global bonds. Its broad portfolio reflects a diversified investment approach focused on both growth opportunities and capital preservation.
“Entrepreneurs aren’t trying to capture a piece of something that already exists. They’re asking how to build something worth more tomorrow than it is today,” said Dr. Sangani. “That means developing the discipline to see what others don’t yet see, questioning why things work the way they do, and having the patience to hold a position most people won’t sit with. I’m honored to be recognized alongside this group of builders.”
Now in its 41st year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. It celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or raised outside capital to grow their company, transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.
Regional winners were chosen by an independent panel of past winners, top CEOs and business leaders. Judges assessed candidates on long-term value creation, entrepreneurial spirit, purpose-driven commitment, and significant growth and impact.
As a regional award winner, Dr. Sangani will now be considered for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, presented in November at the Strategic Growth Forum®, one of the nation’s most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The national overall winner will go on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award in May 2027.
Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs with ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members across more than 60 countries.
Encore Multifamily Secures $48.7 Million HUD Loan for Fort Myers Development
240-Unit class-A multifamily apartment community broke ground Q4 2024, slated to deliver late 2026
(FORT MYERS, Fla.) Jan. 23, 2025 – Encore Multifamily, a division of Dallas-based Encore Enterprises, secured a $48,727,600 fixed-rate HUD Section 221(d)(4) loan for its Encore Daniels Falls development, a class-A multifamily ground-up apartment community located in Fort Myers, Fla. The 240-unit, 6.73-acre project broke ground Dec. 16, 2024, and is projected to deliver 224,050 square feet of rentable space in a strategic location with robust demand by Q3 2026. Between 2021 and 2022 alone, the Fort Myers population grew 4.73%, with its median household income increasing by 11.1%.
“Successfully navigating a challenging lending environment to secure favorable rates during a volatile period is no small feat, and a true testament to the levels of mastery within our team,” said Charlie Keels, president of Encore Multifamily. “By aligning the delivery of Encore Daniels Falls with Fort Myers’ evolving supply and demand dynamics, the project is positioned to meet the needs of the community at just the right time.”
Encore Daniels Falls will offer studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units in a modern, five-story urban-style building. Luxury amenities will include a clubhouse, fitness center, business center, pool, firepit, dog wash, dog park, outdoor lounging and a 24-hour package room. Its premium Daniels Parkway location is 1.5 miles from I-75 and 4.5 miles from South Florida International Airport.
About Encore Multifamily
Established in 2008, Encore Multi-Family, LLC (Encore Multifamily), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dallas-based Encore Enterprises, Inc., is a full-scale multifamily developer focused on both ground-up developments and value-add acquisitions in mixed-use and urban infill communities. Since its inception, Encore Multifamily has transacted 49 deals representing approximately $2 billion in assets. Its dedicated team of sector experts has overseen the acquisition, repositioning and development of more than 10,000 multifamily units.
Encore Restaurants to bring 7 Brew Drive-Thru to Salt Lake City and Phoenix
Encore Restaurants, LLC Brings 7 Brew Drive-Thru Beverage Stands to Salt Lake City and Phoenix Markets
Newly formed subsidiary Encore 7 BREW, LLC holds exclusive franchise rights to build and operate
7 Brew drive-thru beverage stands throughout Utah and Arizona

DALLAS – Dec. 9, 2024 – Encore Restaurants, LLC today announced the launch of Encore 7 BREW, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Encore Enterprises, Inc., which owns the exclusive rights to build and operate franchise locations of 7 Brew drive-thru beverage stands throughout the Salt Lake City, Utah and Phoenix, Ariz. markets. In Utah, the new 7 Brew modular construction stands will create more than 3,000 jobs, of which approximately 60% will be full-time positions. In Arizona, the new 7 Brew franchise locations will create more than 4,700 jobs, of which approximately 60% will be full-time positions. To date, two Encore 7 BREW stands have been installed in Utah at 2298 N. University Parkway in Provo and 877 E. 4500 South in Millcreek.
“Encore 7 BREW is a highly skilled, experienced franchisee with a proven track record of building and operating storefronts that outperform the competition; we’ve strategically selected them to helm 7 Brew’s expansion into Utah and Arizona” said John Davidson, CEO of 7 Brew. “7 Brew is on a strong growth trajectory, and we have every confidence entrusting Encore 7 BREW ’s seasoned leadership to advance our mission of redefining the drive-thru beverage experience through personalized, human-centric customer service, premium products and exceptional efficiency.”
Recognized as QSR Magazine’s “Breakout Brand of 2023,” no restaurant chain in America is growing faster than 7 Brew[1], which started in Rogers, Ark. in 2017. Today, the brand has more than 295 locations operating across 31 states serving over 20,000 different combinations of custom drinks, while ‘cultivating kindness and joy with every drink.’ In February 2024, Blackstone announced[2] a growth equity investment in 7 Brew to help enable the next-generation drive-thru beverage business to accelerate its already-rapid expansion across the U.S., in collaboration with its premier franchise partners.
“Demand for drive-thru coffee and energy drinks has surged an astounding 5380% in five years, and 7 Brew is a dominant force of momentum in the category,” said Dale Doerhoff, president of Encore Restaurants. “Encore 7 BREW is uniquely positioned to drive the brand’s Utah and Arizona expansion, applying our experience as the largest, most successful Five Guys franchisee in the country from 2014-2022. Our stores consistently ranked at the top for guest satisfaction, food safety, employee retention and financial performance, ultimately attracting the parent company to buy back all 110 locations.”
Coffee is the second-largest sector in the U.S. restaurant industry, with an annual spend of over $31 billion. The U.S. coffee market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% leading up to the next decade. By 2025, 89% and 21% of U.S. coffee sales and coffee consumption, respectively, are expected to take place outside of the home, with consumers preferring drive-thru establishments. The Specialty Coffee Association reports that curbside and pick-up orders have grown by a staggering 5380% since 2019, with drive-through and app sales increasing by 30% since the pandemic alone[3].
About Encore Restaurants, LLC
Established in 2014, Encore Restaurants, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Encore Enterprises, Inc., develops, owns and manages specific territories of various full dining, fast casual and quick-serve concepts across the United States. Between 2014 and 2022, Encore Restaurants acquired, developed and operated 110 locations of the “Five Guys” franchise in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Massachusetts and California, becoming the largest Five Guys franchisee in the country. The portfolio was sold to the franchisor in 2022. For more information, visit https://encorebz.wp.brainvire.dev/.
About 7 Brew
7 Brew is a rapidly growing coffee brand that is revolutionizing how customers experience drive-thru coffee service and think about their morning energy boost. 7 Brew serves espresso-based coffee, chillers, teas, infused energy, sodas and more, all with an extra boost of kindness from their team. The dream of 7 Brew came alive with the first “stand” in Rogers, Arkansas and its seven original coffees. Now, more than 295 7 Brew stands operate across the country. For more information, visit www.7brew.com and follow 7 Brew on Instagram (@7brewcoffee), TikTok (@7brewcoffee), Facebook (facebook.com/7brewcoffee) and Twitter (@7BrewCoffee).
[1] Klein, D. (2024, May 21). No restaurant chain in America is growing faster than 7 BREW. QSR Magazine. https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/no-restaurant-chain-in-america-is-growing-faster-than-7-brew/; Datassential. (2024). 2024 Top 500 Restaurant Chain Report. Retrieved from https://datassential.com/resource/2024-top-500-restaurant-chain-report/
[2] https://www.blackstone.com/news/press/blackstone-announces-growth-investment-in-7-brew/
[3] https://sca.coffee/
Encore Restaurants Opens Second 7 Brew Stand in Millcreek, UT
7 Brew Coffee Opens in Millcreek, Donates $2,000 to Primary Children’s Hospital
Drive-thru coffee concept opens second Utah location at 877 E. 4500 S.
Millcreek, UT – November 27, 2024 – 7 Brew, the drive-thru coffee concept revolutionizing the service industry, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, celebrating the brand’s second Utah location at 877 E 4500 S. As a dedicated community advocate, 7 Brew Millcreek made a $2,000 donation to Primary Children’s Hospital, a member of the Children’s Miracle Network.
As part of its growing presence in the state, 7 Brew also announced the opening of its third Utah location in Riverton early next year. The Encore 7 Brew franchise group plans to open 11 locations in Utah by the end of 2025.
“We can’t wait to cultivate kindness in our Millcreek community as we grow our presence in Utah after opening our first stand in the state in Provo earlier this fall, ”said Aaron Hall, director of operations, Encore 7 Brew. “7 Brew has an established partnership with Children’s Miracle Network, and we’re thrilled to build on that partnership by donating to Primary Children’s Hospital to celebrate our Millcreek opening!”
Earlier this year, 7 Brew announced an ongoing partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to celebrate the first official 7 Brew Day. To build on the partnership, Encore 7 Brew selected Primary Children’s Hospital as a charitable partner to celebrate the opening of their first location in Provo and second location in Millcreek.
Primary Children’s Hospital members attended the ribbon-cutting to receive 7 Brew’s donation and share about the hospital’s mission of providing personalized, evidence-based medical care to the families of Utah.
7 Brew’s next step is to host a Swag Day on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., during which customers who purchase a large drink will get a free 7 Brew t-shirt.
More than your standard coffee stand, 7 Brew offers over 20,000 unique drink combinations. From the original Blondie, a caramel and vanilla breve, to 7 Energy, smoothies, shakes and teas, there is something for everyone at 7 Brew. The brand boasts more than 250 stands across the country.
The 7 Brew stand will add 50 jobs to the Millcreek area. Those interested in joining the 7 Brew Millcreek team should apply at encore.7brewcareers.com.
About 7 Brew
7 Brew is a rapidly growing coffee brand revolutionizing how customers experience drive-thru coffee service and think about their morning energy boost. 7 Brew serves espresso-based coffee, chillers, teas, 7 Energy, sodas, and more, all with an extra boost of kindness from their team. The dream of 7 Brew came alive with the first “stand” in Rogers, Ark., and its seven original coffees. Now, 7 Brew boasts more than 250 stands across the country. For more information, visit www.7brew.com and follow 7 Brew on Instagram (@7brewcoffee), TikTok (@7brewcoffee), Facebook (facebook.com/7brewcoffee) and Twitter (@7BrewCoffee).
About Encore Restaurants, LLC
Encore Restaurants, LLC. develops, owns and manages specific territories of various full dining, fast casual, and quick-serve concepts across the United States. For more information about Encore Restaurants, LLC., visit encorebz.wp.brainvire.dev, or call (214) 259-7000.
Multifamily Housing Insights: Mansion Global Event Replay
Featuring Encore’s Dr. Bharat Sangani, Chairman & CEO and Charlie Keels, President of Encore Multifamily
Dallas, TX – November 01, 2024 – Explore the key insights from our recent virtual event, held in partnership with Mansion Global, a Dow Jones company. Featuring industry leaders Dr. Bharat Sangani, Chairman & CEO of Encore Enterprises; Charlie Keels, President of Encore Multifamily; and Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, discussed valuable insight on the impact of inflation on the housing market, anticipated rate cuts, and effective strategies for navigating current demand-supply dynamics in multifamily housing.