Onward Reserve, based in Atlanta, was recognized as the No. 62 fastest-growing business owned or operated by a University of Georgia graduate during the 2017 Bulldog 100 Celebration February 4 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta.

Onward Reserve, founded by 2007 UGA graduate TJ Callaway, specializes in classic Southern menswear and accessories. There are seven locations across the Southeast, including one in Thomasville.

“We are excited to be included on the list for the third year in a row, and look forward to Onward Reserve’s continued growth success,” Callaway said.

The Bulldog 100, coordinated by the UGA Alumni Association, recognizes the 100 fastest-growing businesses owned or operated by UGA graduates.

Approximately 490 nominations were submitted for the 2017 Bulldog 100. The class includes companies of all sizes, providing services and products in a variety of industries, including real estate, law, IT, consulting, retail and pest control. Companies as far west as California and as far northeast as New York made the list this year. The average compounded annual growth rate for this year’s Bulldog 100 businesses was 44 percent.

Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors partnered with the UGA Alumni Association to review nominated business’ financial records to determine the ranked list.

Nominations for the 2017 Bulldog 100 were accepted between February and May 2016. To be considered for the list, each organization must have been in business for at least five years, experienced revenues in excess of $100,000 for the calendar year 2013, and be owned or operated by a former UGA student who either owns at least 50 percent of the company or is the CEO, president or managing partner. The Bulldog 100 recognizes the fastest-growing businesses regardless of size by focusing on a three-year compounded annual growth rate.

To recognize the 100 businesses and the 131 alumni who lead them, the UGA Alumni Association hosted the 2017 Bulldog 100 Celebration February 4 in Atlanta. This year’s keynote speaker was Debbie Storey, retired executive vice president of AT&T Mobility Customer Service and author of the book “Don’t Downsize Your Dreams.” Storey spoke about the importance of strong vision, adaptability and creative thinking in an ever-changing economic and technological landscape.

The 2017 fastest-growing business was Chicken Salad Chick, helmed by president and CEO Scott Deviney, who received his degree in economics from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business in 1995. The company is based in Auburn, Alabama, and was started by a stay-at-home mom and her software salesman husband after selling chicken salad at PTA meetings. To date, the company operates 62 restaurants, and has sold 146 franchises in eight states, selling chicken salad in 15 flavor profiles. In 2016, Chicken Salad Chick landed at No. 37 on Inc. Magazine’s annual list of the 500 fastest-growing companies in the U.S., raking in $9.8 million in 2015, with a growth rate of more than 6,000 percent in the past three years. The company has also been named one of FastCasual.com’s top Movers and Shakers and one of Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2015 Breakout Brands. 

“The UGA Alumni Association is excited to honor our graduates who are founding and leading these prosperous enterprises,” Ruth Bartlett, president of the UGA Alumni Association board, said. “It is inspiring to see the influence these businesses have on our students. Student participation in Bulldog 100 allows our scholars a unique opportunity to network with these accomplished business leaders, and also to observe the best examples of success from people who once were where they are now.”

To view the complete list of 2017 Bulldog 100 businesses, photos from the event or nominate a business for the 2018 Bulldog 100, see www.alumni.uga.edu/b100. Nominations are being accepted through May 31, 2017, at that website.