MacDougall announced that last year was a record year for Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes and he credited the success to the company's focus [image-nocss] on people and customers.
Several top employees were recognized during the meeting. Several stores were recognized for outstanding sales achievements during 2008.
The Store of the Year for 2008 award is based on the top store in sales achievement, customer satisfaction and overall appearance. This year's award was givento the Ilion, N.Y., Nice N Easy, owned and operated by Clifford Fuel of Utica, N.Y. This shoppe is managed by Sally Preston. The sales growth was in the top three of all of the Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes.
According to director of franchise John Zbytniewski, "Sally's expertise is maintaining a low turnover rate. She has10 employees with three years of service plus, and five of the10 employees have more than six years. With a well-seasoned crew like this, they have high expectations and the store certainly came through in 2008 with flying colors."
The "Manager of the Year" award was presented to Valerie Conley of the Carthage Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppe. "Valerie's leadership is a true factor in the way this shoppe successfully operates," Zbytniewski said.Thestore has exceeded sales and continues to grow.
Greg Short was honored with the "Food Service Manager of the Year" award. He has been with Nice N Easy for almost five years and currently works atthe Manlius, N.Y., location. According to Jack Cushman, executive vice president of food services, "Greg is a very positive, charismatic leader and works great with the customers and employees. Greg has a very good sense of who he is and is deserving of this award."
Brandon McConnell of the Chaumont, N.Y., Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppe, owned and operated by the Valentine's in Watertown, was recognized as "Assistant Manager of the Year." Zbytniewski said, "Brandon is a busy man who focuses his efforts and abilities to get the job done!"
Clifford Fuel was recognized with the "Franchise Achievement Award" for 2008. This award is given to the Nice N Easy franchisee that experiences the largest growth in 2008. Clifford Fuel opened two new stores, in Taberg and Alder Creek, N.Y., throughout the year. According to senior executive vice president Peter Tamburro, "The staff works tremendously well as a team. They empower their managers to keep their stores full, neat and clean. The display and merchandising has excelled throughout the year. And their two new stores have exceeded our expectations."
Diane Conger, manager of the corporate Pennellville, N.Y.,Nice N Easy was honored with the "Sharon Jordan Memorial True Spirit Award." This particular award is given by MacDougall himself. Each year, MacDougall selects one employee who emulates the "true spirit" shown by former employee Sharon Jordan. She was an exceptional employee of Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes who passed away following a short illness. This award is one of the most prestigious given by the company. Diane has been at Nice N Easy for 20 years and her true commitment, leadership and dedication are amongthe reasons that she was honored with this award.
Each year, Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes presents the "Trade Partner of the Year" to a supplier that contributes greatly to the bottom line and makes a difference during the year. This year's recipients were Anheuser-Busch, along withits distributors. According to director of category management Jared Sturtevant, "Anheuser-Busch had double digit sales increase, had a huge product introduction with Bud Light Lime and they have a fantastic distribution network."
Canastota, N.Y.-based Nice N Easy currently operates 82 stores in the Upstate New York market and has been in business for 29 years.
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