2016 MVP AWARDS Community Involvement Leadership Award
Formative influences / events : I grew up in the restaurant franchising business . I remember once , when I was 12 , eating at one of our pizza restaurants — it had a salad bar . At the table , my parents were discussing the fact that the salad bar really needed cleaning and that my Dad would need to talk with the manager about how to make that an area of focus . Well , my 12-year-old self thought I could take action right away . I went up to a young team member and told her in my sternest pre-teen voice that the salad bar was unacceptable . My parents were mortified . The team member was confused and embarrassed — after all , who was this kid ? I think I learned pretty quickly that how you treat your people matters . I ’ ve thought of that often as we try to build a people-first culture .
Key accomplishments : Just recently I was proud to help lead our team to open four restaurants in four weeks , back-to-back , in four different states . That was a record-opening cadence for both The Saxton Group and the McAlister ’ s brand . Growth and opportunity are key values in our company , and it was such an accomplishment to bring those values to life in a really tangible way .
Work week : I work all the time , but I have a lot of flexibility too . That ’ s being a part of the modern , connected workforce ! I ’ ve always been an early riser so I do some of my best work very early in the morning . I travel frequently , visiting new markets and finding ways to grow our brand .
2016 MVP AWARDS
2016 MVP AWARDS Community Involvement Leadership Award
Why do you think you were recognized with this award ? We have found ways to give back to the community both big and small , and I think that is why we were recognized . We have a comprehensive approach that covers everything from small , local fundraisers to big , company-wide charity programs . However , I think the most important thing is that we empower our employees and managers to take action on their own . If they see a need in their community , they have the ability to step up and do their part to help .
How have you raised the bar in your own company ? We have always believed in building a culture that is separate from the brand we operate . Often , restaurant franchisees can get lost in the culture of the brand they franchise , when ultimately you don ’ t own that brand . We own The Saxton Group brand and want our people to think of us as their employer first . By creating a culture of excellence we are able to turn that to any brand we may be operating .
What core values do you think helped you win this award ? We believe in giving back to the communities in which we operate . In addition to the economic impact we have in our local communities through operations , we also give back with our time , talent , and treasure . Every single employee carries a card in their pocket that says this , because community is part of who we are .
How important is community involvement to you and your company ? I believe the success or failure of a business depends on the community ’ s support of that business , and you can ’ t ask for support if you aren ’ t also willing to give it . I also believe that for anyone interested in community involvement or philanthropy that the first dollar you give should always be local ; start at home before looking elsewhere . There are great needs in every town . Two recent examples : 1 ) Our McAlister ’ s Deli locations sold pink sugar cookies last October as part of Cookies for a Cause , with a portion of the proceeds split among 13 local Susan G . Komen affiliates . In 31 days , 63 stores sold 36,105 treats , resulting in a donation of $ 18,052.50 . The project was incredibly successful , highlighting just how powerful cause marketing can be . 2 ) In December , I helped lead an iniative for first responders and emergency personnel , less than 24 hours after an EF4 tornado touched down in Rowlett , Texas , about a mile from one of our stores . Those involved with disaster relief were encouraged to come into our Rowlett store to rest and were served a free meal . The social response was electrifying and quickly went viral . The opportunity to provide meals for first responders helped re-establish and strengthen the relationship we already had with the Rowlett community .
PERSONAL
What are you reading ? I read the New York Times , Wall Street Journal , and parts of The Financial Times every day , and because I ’ m a Millennial I read them on my phone . I started that habit about a year ago and felt that was the best combination of news to give me a wider perspective . I keep up with restaurant industry news by following trade blogs and love seeing what articles others in our industry are sharing on LinkedIn .
Best advice you ever got : A high school teacher of mine — and I don ’ t know why he even did this — encouraged me to look at colleges in Texas and move to Texas after I graduated from my high school in a small town in Mississippi . That ’ s what led me to SMU . Moving myself to Texas — and eventually our business and family to the state — opened up a world of opportunity and success for The Saxton Group . I ’ m a firm believer in that saying , “ I wasn ’ t born in Texas , but I got here as soon as I could !” It ’ s an amazing place to live , work , and grow a company and I ’ m forever grateful for the advice that brought me to Dallas .
What ’ s your passion in business ? Growth ! I am most gratified when we bring the brand to a new market that has never experienced McAlister ’ s before . When done properly , growth fuels opportunity for advancement for our people , creates new jobs , provides our shareholders with fantastic returns , and gives our company something to rally around . Really , nothing is more exciting than opening a new restaurant .
44 MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE ISSUE III , 2016