Industry News | January 26, 2013
Ben & Jerry's Recognizes Outstanding Employees
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On Saturday, January 19, Ben & Jerry’s proudly congratulated the recipients of the Big “O” Operator of the Year award, Social Mission Award, and the Mentor of the Year Award at this year’s Global Franchise Meeting.
With more than 100 years combined scooping the dream for Ben & Jerry’s, Peter Mackauf, Larry Krasnow, Michelle Alcantar, Ephraim Mallari, and Barbara Rossi of Seaport Village, San Diego, were recognized with the Big “O”.
The Operator of the Year award is the highest honor given for performance in a single year. The people that win this award have demonstrated excellence in all areas: sales trends, financial management, marketing, community involvement, and store operations.
The Social Mission Award is considered by many to be the most precious individual award available, as it recognizes someone who embodies the very heart of what Ben & Jerry’s was built on: the responsibility business has to give back to the community.
This award is given to someone who tirelessly gives back. While all of Ben & Jerry’s franchisees are involved in their communities, the winners Rhett Russel and Maria Hug of Seattle, Washington, have always made the Ben & Jerry’s social mission a priority in their scoop shops.
It’s one of the reasons they got into this business and they have continued to make it top-of-mind for their staff, as well. Whether it’s through fundraising, benefit nights, Cakes for Schools, or other donations, they have always taken care of their communities. They give their own time and resources back at each of the events that they are involved in, and encourage their staff to do the same.
This year’s Mentor of the Year was given to Patrick Pipino from Saratoga, New York, nominated for this award by multiple peers. Pipino has embraced the ability to learn, and is committed to sharing his skills and knowledge with the Ben & Jerry’s system.
Throughout the four-day gathering, there were ongoing discussions and workshops with franchisees, managers, and staff that revolved around local community activation, crafting relationships with Ben & Jerry’s fans, and embodying the Ben & Jerry’s “peace, love, and ice cream” brand philosophy.
The meeting also served as a launching pad for the upcoming year’s initiatives and provided a platform for the company to share its direction, give business updates, and solicit feedback from the franchise community.
QSR® magazine has always found space to report on the charitable works and deeds of members of the foodservice community. But recently it became important to us to step up our efforts, and the decision was made to consolidate these stories in one place so you, the reader, could easily learn about what the industry is doing when it comes to giving back.
Our hope is that these pages will inspire and motivate you to take up your own cause—whatever that might be—to make our world a better place.
Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's International, told readers in the very first issue of QSR magazine that "Profit is not a dirty word." But Thomas also worked tirelessly for the many charitable causes that touched his life. In so doing, he proved that running a successful business extends beyond the bottom line and that the real rewards in life are measured in a currency far greater than the dollar.
So let these stories inspire you to find your cause, if you haven't already done so. We encourage you to let us know what you're doing, so that others might follow your lead, pickup your cause, and contribute in ever more positive ways to our communities and lives.
Among the causes that QSR magazine supports is CureSearch for Children’s Cancer. CureSearch for Children’s Cancer funds the lifesaving, collaborative research of the Children’s Oncology Group, the world's largest, cooperative pediatric cancer research organization. More than 5,000 physicians, nurses and other researchers, at more than 200 hospitals in North America, treat 90 percent of children with cancer. Funding efforts by CureSearch allows children with cancer to receive world-class treatment and care close to home.
Only research cures children’s cancer. The cure rates have risen from 10% forty years ago to a 78% overall cure rate today. Our goal is 100%.
Be part of the cure. Together, we can conquer children’s cancer.
The U.S. Congress has under consideration a bill that would provide $150 million for childhood cancer research. CureSearch offers an easy email template to write your federal representatives in support of this bill. It may be the most rewarding five minutes you spend today.
