The voice of business in the Tees region | 79
“One of the most valuable things about
the Racz Group, though, is that the people
higher up have been there and done that –
they know the job from the very bottom.”
that’s the exciting thing about Racz – the
opportunities are there if you want to take
them.
“There are lots of things I enjoy about
the job, the relationship our teams have
with each other and the friendships that
develop,” says Shirley, who is responsible
for managing the team of area managers
who in turn each have five store managers
reporting to them.
“The other thing is you just don’t know
where the job is going to take you. The
Costa brand is growing rapidly and six
months ago the company was different to
how it is now. It’s getting bigger and better
all the time.
“One of the most valuable things about
the Racz Group, though, is that the people
higher up have been there and done that –
they know the job from the very bottom.”
Becky agrees.
“There’s a real buzz about the company
and that’s the thing, the energy here is
tremendous. That’s where Racz Group is
second to none.
“I like people, it’s how I work. Show
someone respect and you get that back
and then some, you can’t go on a training
course to learn that. If I’m out in our stores
I’ll speak to the team as I would anyone
else. Talking to people is one of my biggest
roles in the company, I’ll always ask where
they are, how they are, what their ambitions
are, where they see their progression path.
“When I was on deliveries I didn’t think
where I’d be able to go with it, now I make
sure staff know what Racz Group can do for
them.”
Their passion for the company is plain
to see. And even though they spend their
working lives managing high-pressure
situations, they are easy to talk to and very
approachable – a key Racz Group trait.
Shirley came to the UK with her family
and ended up staying. She initially wanted
to work in healthcare but someone took
her to Costa and, she says, she just fell in
love with the brand. She started work as
a barista and moved around a few of the
stores, climbing up the career ladder as she
went.
Becky started her delivery job at
Domino’s for some extra cash while she
was at uni. She eventually went to work
at Hartlepool Borough Council in a public
health role but felt she’d gone as far as she
could with her job there. She knew Laura
and started working with her for a few
hours a week – which eventually turned into
a full-time job.
Day to day life at Racz is very varied, they
say. No two days are the same and that’s
how they like it. Owner Mike is always
changing the goalposts too – and although
that throws up more hard work, the
challenge is something they thrive on.
Outside of work Becky is a talented
footballer, she’s just got back into playing
regularly for Hartlepool Youth Ladies. Shirley
jokes she sleeps when she’s not at work –
but she has a talent of her own too. She is
an accomplished ballroom and Latin dancer.
Despite bulging inboxes and busy days,
they still find the time to get out into the
Costa and Domino’s stores. The art of
making a good pizza or a pretty decent cup
of coffee never leaves you, says Shirley, and
it is important that it doesn’t.
In fact, there is always something of a
competitive edge to it whenever they find
themselves out in the field.
“We actually have a bit of competitive
streak in us when it comes to making a
really good flat white.”
Generally, over who can make the most
perfect pattern on the top of the coffee –
Shirley is a pro but Becky, coming from the
Domino’s side, is pretty good at it.
Both ladies wholeheartedly embrace
the Racz Group spirit but also display their
impressive charity efforts – this year alone
completing a team Three Peaks challenge,
a skydive, a poppy appeal and food bank
collections. They are a credit to the endless
exciting opportunities available to them
through the franchise world.