– BORDER FOODS –

A TACO BELL FRANCHISEE

  • Three Cheers for Shana’s 30 years!

    Three Cheers for Shana’s 30 years!

    Work anniversaries always call for a celebration, and this one is no exception. We’re excited to share that our very own Shana Burns — Shift Lead at the Sprinkle Taco Bell located in Kalamazoo, Michigan — just celebrated her 30th work anniversary with us! 

    Shana truly helps to make this place a fantastic place to work.

    Shana is an incredible asset to the Border Foods family, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the dedication and determination she’s brought to our company. We sat down with her to hear her story and learn more about what’s coming next.

    An Unexpected Opportunity

    When Shana started at  Taco Bell as a team member in 1995, she never imagined that she’d be starting what was to become her lifelong career. Soon, however, it became apparent to Shana that she could grow professionally with Border Foods. She climbed the career ladder, eventually reaching Restaurant General Manager (RGM) level, a position in which she led various Taco Bell restaurants over the course of 20 years. Unfortunately, after two decades, health challenges arose for Shana; luckily, she was able to continue working with us. Shana took a step back to become a Shift Lead instead — a position that has proven to be a bit less strenuous!

    As you can imagine, Shana has seen the Taco Bell brand undergo quite the transformation over the past 30 years. She shares that she’s enjoyed watching the company grow and change, citing menu innovation and new technology as updates that have stood out.

    Even as our company has evolved, Shana’s own focus has always remained the same: the people. 

    “You can have the best product in the world, but it’s the way you treat your customers and your team that keeps people coming back,” she shares.

    A Friend in Border Foods

    Shana and Border Foods share a lot of the same values, which is a huge reason why Shana has stayed with us so long. Shana truly embodies all six of our core values, but one stands out the most: excellence. 

    When she’s at work, Shana lives by the phrase, “act like an owner.” She shares this mindset with her team, and encourages them to take accountability for what they bring to work every day. This mentality not only makes Border Foods a great place to work, Shana says, it also motivates her team to make the business the best it can possibly be.

    Thinking about the Future

    Shana isn’t sure where the road ahead leads. What she does know, however, is that no matter what her next step is, she’ll be happy.

    Congratulations again, Shana. We couldn’t be more grateful for all of your contributions!

    Border Foods

  • Meet Crystal, The Accounting Creative

    Meet Crystal, The Accounting Creative

    Crystal Kovach says she’s very much an accountant and a perfectionist, two terms she uses as if they’re synonymous. That’s stellar news, considering we put her in our accounting department!

    But beyond Crystal’s daily number crunching as an Accounts Payable Specialist, it’s what she’s been whipping up on the side that’s getting her extra attention at Border Foods. For the past year, Crystal has been dabbling in special event decor for us, creating balloon arches and garlands, button pins, banners, homemade ornaments, centerpieces, and cardstock creations — all just for fun.

    At Border Foods, we want team members to live más in all facets of their lives — and unleash their passions!

    For Crystal, it all started with throwing baby showers for co-workers and just took off from there. She’s now volunteered her creative talents for several company events, including our 250th restaurant celebration and the retirement of one of our longtime Region Coaches. Crystal’s most recent gig was creating decor for our third annual Swinging for Scholarships golf tournament!

    Crystal doesn’t want the company to feel forced into utilizing her talents, though, she says it’s just become a really meaningful creative outlet for her.

    From Career Pursuits to Creative Outlets

    Crystal has spent most of her career in foodservice accounting, most recently at the University of Minnesota. She joined the Border Foods family about three years ago. She says she’s always loved graphic design, and originally wanted to major in business management and interior design. Creativity has always found a place in her life.

    In fact, a little over a decade ago, when she had a small child at home and was caring for a sick parent, Crystal took a break from accounting to start her own invitation business on Etsy.

    Her business was profitable from the start, but she soon found she couldn’t hire fast enough to meet demand and maintain her high standards. The result? Stress quickly took all the enjoyment away.

    “When I did the business it took everything out of me,” Crystal confesses. She realized she needed to go back to “a solid, safe zone” — solid income, a security net — and that’s how she landed back in the professional world.

    But she couldn’t ignore her passion for creative projects. “I learned from my mother how to care about people and make them feel special,” she shares. This is what inspires her ideas.

    For Crystal, tapping into her creative side makes her feel good because she knows it’s helping to make other people in the company feel special. Decorations, she says, set the mood for any gesture of appreciation.

    In return, Crystal says in doing “one little thing in her own time,” she feels supported and appreciated by her supervisor.

    We’re so lucky to have Crystal’s multifaceted talents on our team!

    Border Foods

  • Pam Hare: Leading Changed Her Life

    Pam Hare: Leading Changed Her Life

    This month we bid beloved Region Coach Pam Hare farewell as she transitions from leading Border Foods’ Region 1 — which covers western South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Nebraska — to a sure-to-be fulfilling retirement with her husband Greg.

    “I’m so proud to have played a part in the growth of Border Foods,” Pam says. When she joined us 14 years ago, we had just under 90 locations. Since then, Pam and her team have been involved in many acquisitions! She likes to say we “Border-rized” certain markets like Sioux Falls, SD; the Upper Peninsula of Michigan; the Quad Cities; North Dakota; Billings, MT; and Nebraska.

    Being a leader at Taco Bell completely changed my life.

    Pam Hare, Region Coach

    Pam will be remembered for many things around here, not the least of which is for her positive energy and embodying our core value of treating people like family. She’s been described as “the mother” of her region, always leading with heart and taking care of her people. In fact, she was one of our very first Heart of Border Foods award recipients.

    In her most recent role, Pam oversaw 23 restaurants in four states that employed roughly 800 team members. She swears she’s loved every minute of it! 

    “I honestly can’t think of a time where Pam wasn’t energized to be here,” says CEO and President Aaron Engler. “No matter the task, she shows up with joy, purpose and a genuine love for the work — leading, growing and building something with her team.”

    A Brief Career Overview

    Pam’s earliest passion was actually live animals, not tacos. Growing up, her dad worked for a veterinarian in their town. She remembers joining him on middle-of-the-night house calls to deliver baby farm animals and perform emergency surgeries. 

    “I was intrigued by all he could do to help or save animals,” she says, reflecting. Despite having dreamt of following in her father’s footsteps up until about age 14, she instead went on to work for her brother’s drive-in restaurant for the next eight years.

    At 21, Pam decided to relocate to Rapid City, SD, and quickly realized she needed a job. After applying for an open position, she was contacted by the local Taco Bell franchisee.

    “I had never even heard of Taco Bell,” Pam admits. But a 44-year career with our famous brand would take off from there, with her first position as a Shift Lead.

    “I was given the opportunity to lead people with Taco Bell,” she shares. “Working side by side with great leaders who mentored me brought out my love for leading people and helping others be successful.”

    Pam became a part of the Border Foods family in December 2011 when we acquired the Rapid City market.

    “Pam’s ability to lead with compassion, care and consistency has shaped one of the most financially successful regions in our company for years. And it’s no accident,” Aaron says. “She treats her team like family, and they show up for her because of it.”

    A Bright Light

    People are paramount to the success of our company. And Pam has always taken that seriously. According to her, her leadership style is centered around believing in others, giving them room to grow and letting them shine.

    “I encourage others to take the chance and be successful,” she shares. “What I do matters to me and I want it to matter to others. If I can help someone by having a conversation about my path to success, and give them the nudge to go for what they want, that’s great!”

    She lights up every room she walks into with her warmth, her smile and her presence.

    Aaron Engler, CEO & President  

    “Knowing you made an impact, no matter how small or large, is very gratifying,” she says of her time here.

    Relishing Retirement?

    Pam says people are what she’ll miss the most about this busy work life. “I will always value all the great relationships with my team, my guests, and my co-workers that I have made throughout my career.”

    But she also has some great things to look forward to! Pam’s list so far for relishing retirement includes:

    • coffee on the patio in the morning sunshine;
    • no itinerary for the day;
    • quality time with her husband, family and friends (and cats); and
    • bucket list travel!

    As for this last item, it turns out we have plenty of stops on the map! “It will be amazing to have so many people that I can visit on a personal level in 10 states,” Pam says, reflecting on how travel and her work family will continue to collide.

    Until then, we wish Pam well in this next chapter. Congratulations on a celebrated career with Taco Bell and our company! 

    Border Foods

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  • AC Brenda Gillispie Finds Inspiration at Border Foods

    AC Brenda Gillispie Finds Inspiration at Border Foods

    We recently caught up with Area Coach (AC) Brenda Gillispie beachside on our Best of the Best (BOTB) reward trip in Cancún, Mexico. “It’s so exciting to be here,” Brenda shares. She describes the experience perfectly: bringing people to the best place ever to enjoy themselves. The milestone was particularly sweet for this self-described “daddy’s girl,” who brought her dad on the trip as her “plus one.” “It’s absolutely amazing,” she says.

    This BOTB newbie is the perfect candidate for a vacation in paradise. “I love traveling, I love adventurous stuff,” Brenda shares. “I love doing new things.”

    Finding Her Place

    Brenda isn’t new to Border Foods. She’s been with us for five years, and knows what it takes to make it to the top. “It took a few years and a lot of hard work, and a lot of teamwork,” she says of her career climb. “[But it] was worth it.” 

    Brenda joined us as a Shift Lead from another quick service franchisee after hearing her sister gush about her job with us. “She told me all about Border and how amazing they are for their people,” Brenda recalls.

    This is it. This is my place.” – Brenda Gillispie, Area Coach 

    Brenda Gillispie, Area Coach

    The connection was immediate. Our culture of recognition and family is what really stood out to her. Now, well into her career journey, she says, “I feel like I’m a part of something that’s so big and beautiful. I love that.” 

    Hard Work Pays Off

    While her feeling of being in the right place was immediate, reaping the rewards took a little longer to come to fruition for Brenda. She admits the road to Best of the Best was a “battle,” in her words. 

    “I’m not one to get knocked down so quickly. I know these things take time and I was just willing to put in the work,” she says.

     Everything you want in life, you have to work hard for.

    Brenda Gillispie, Area Coach

    Inspiring leadership and teamwork helped Brenda stay committed for the long haul. Her favorite part of the AC role is connecting with people. “I feel so inspired by the people that are around me,” she shares. “We’re always there for each other no matter what.”

    Looking Ahead

    Brenda’s five–year plan includes mulling over a Region Coach position, although she says she always takes stock of her role after every promotion before considering her next move. “I love continuing to improve myself and others,” she says.

    There’s just so much to offer at Border.

    Brenda Gillispie, Area Coach

    No matter the title, one thing’s for sure: Brenda plans to stick around with us for the long haul. “I love Border. I’ll die here and I’m okay with that,” she says with a laugh. 

    If you’re looking for a career with this kind of longevity, consider joining us!

    Border Foods

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  • Heather Aos’ Tips on Earning a Spot at BOTB

    Heather Aos’ Tips on Earning a Spot at BOTB

    Meet Heather Aos, Area Coach (AC) of Border Foods’ Area 31, which comprises all of our Taco Bell restaurants in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP). This gal knows a little something about elevating a career with us — her words, not ours!

    Heather joined Border Foods eight years ago with our large acquisition of UP and central Michigan Taco Bells. Today, she’s a recent Golden Bell winner, an eight-time recipient of a spot on our annual Best of the Best (BOTB) reward trip to Mexico, and an oh-so-worthy subject of a Core Value spotlight for embodying daily excellence in her work.

    [Border Foods] does unbelievable things for you.

    – Heather Aos, Area Coach

    We caught up with Heather in Cabo to hear more about how she got here and her most meaningful advice for others seeking to follow a similar path.

    The History of Heather

    “I started back in high school, so I was 15 and basically, I needed a job,” Heather shares. Her main motivation at the time was earning enough money to buy the car she wanted. Her first Taco Bell job was working for her best friend’s mom, a person she revered but lost unexpectedly to illness. By the time Heather graduated from high school, she was already a Shift Manager.

    Heather continued to climb the career ladder with natural inclination and drive. She was promoted to Assistant General Manager (AGM) about four years before we acquired her location. She’s only been away from the Taco Bell brand for six months during her entire career! 

    Within that first year, they developed me to be an Area Coach … I got the whole UP and that was kind of my dream career!

    –Heather Aos, Area Coach

    Heather takes us back to the time of the Michigan acquisition. She says she remembers thinking the things she was hearing from our leadership about competitive pay and other perks were too good to be true. But she soon realized what she was hearing was real — higher pay, bonus potential and recognition in the form of an all-expenses paid trip to Mexico, these are all a part of making lives better.

    “It seems unreal sometimes,” she admits. “These trips are just the tip of the iceberg.”

    Heather Knows Best

    So how can you, achieve career growth like Heather and earn a reward trip? Well first, you can’t win if you don’t join! Check out our current job openings.

    “We work really really hard all year round,” Heather says. “You have to be ‘on it’ from the start of the year to the end of the year.”

    Heather emphasizes consistency and remaining high performing all year. “You can’t let something slip to get to this trip,” she adds.

    Heather touches on the importance of developing the bench: “Try to keep everyone who you have in the store. Make great hires. And then have the ‘pedal to the metal’ everyday.”

    Heather appears to be living her best work life right now. She oozes of praise for Border Foods and reflects on having the good fortune of working with eight different teams in the course of her career. She doesn’t show any signs of slowing down!

    And, this could be YOU! The time to elevate your career to the next level is now. Buckle up!

    Border Foods

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