It’s been a little while since I last shared some of my personal thoughts with you all. We have had many exciting things happen within our company over the course of this year! We began a wave of new store openings in our home state of Ohio, and we acquired several new cafes in Tennessee! We just keep growing! These are the things that make me really excited for the future of our company.

When I think about what makes the holidays special, the word “tradition” comes to my mind. We had many family traditions growing up, but one thing we’ve always made a priority each year is giving back. It’s something that has always been a part of our family, and something we make sure to continue each year.

It was nearly a decade ago that I was invited to the Rich Center for Autism on Youngstown State University’s campus. I receive many invitations to tour local facilities, and I am always touched by the incredible work being done in our communities, but for some reason this trip was extra special for me.

I know – first-hand – what it takes to create a quality experience for customers. It involves everything from ensuring you are serving great food to hiring quality people. Are your floors clean? Are your counters sparkling?