Andrew Laberge is no stranger to leading a team. As a former ice hockey captain and semi-pro player, the newly minted Restaurant General Manager (RGM) has found success in applying the team-centric mindset he learned on the ice to his latest venture with us here at Border Foods.
Rooting For The Rookie
Andrew got his start as a Taco Bell team member when he was just 16 years old. He never expected that what was originally intended to be a side job while he pursued his hockey career would quickly turn into something he’d commit to full-time.
Upon graduating high school, Andrew joined a semi-pro hockey team — but after year two with the squad, he started to lose interest, sharing that he was inspired to devote more time to work instead. Andrew found he really enjoyed working alongside his fellow Taco Bell team members as well as the fast-paced environment of the quick service restaurant industry.
I love hockey and it’s been my life since I was young. But the career at Taco Bell has been very beneficial to me.
Andrew Laberge
Sticking With It
Luckily, we felt the same about Andrew! In December 2024, Andrew’s own RGM approached him and shared that she was being promoted to Area Coach. She asked if he would be interested in training to eventually take over her role. Andrew was ecstatic about the proposal and happily accepted.
In February of this year, at just 20 years old, Andrew became Assistant General Manager (AGM) at the Andover, MN Taco Bell, and as of early August, he’s officially the restaurant’s new RGM.
A True Team Player
Thanks to his past as a competitive athlete, Andrew naturally holds himself to a high standard as RGM. He shares that the integrity, accountability and teamwork he learned during his hockey career are values that lend themselves well to his work at Taco Bell today.
It’s clear that when it comes to his list of responsibilities, Andrew’s crew takes top priority. His favorite part of working at Border Foods has been the people, he says, and his biggest challenge as RGM has been balancing his new responsibilities while still supporting his team on the line. However, according to Andrew, it’s all worth it. “Work can be stressful, but the people around you take off that load,” he shares.
When asked about his future with Border Foods, Andrew shares that he’d someday love to begin training to be an Area Coach. “But I’m completely fine with where everything is leading me right now,” he adds.
We can’t wait to see what you’ll do next, Andrew!
