For Hunter Charneski, Taco Bell General Manager (GM) is just the first in his long list of impressive titles. In addition to leading our Zeeland, MI team, Hunter is also a published author, professional athlete and motivational speaker.
We sat down with Hunter to learn more about his many areas of expertise — and how his career at Border Foods has helped him achieve some of his biggest dreams.
Starting Over
Just a short while ago, Hunter’s career was in a very different spot. In September 2023, he hit six months of unemployment. While he had an impressive resume (master’s degree, record-breaking life insurance salesman, consultant for the NFL, Toastmaster’s public speaking champion, private training facility owner), none of his avenues of expertise seemed to be translating into professional success.
Hunter found himself at a crossroads. Leaning on his faith, he made the decision to take the one job he could find: a Subway Sandwich Artist role at the location near his Michigan home.
Little did Hunter know that this choice would change the course of his career forever.
Fast food can fast track your dreams.
Hunter Charneski, Taco Bell General Manager
Stepping Stones
Hunter shares that his mental state at the time of his Subway start date ended up being a major advantage: “I had gone so long without being able to provide, I was humiliated — so I had a really good attitude!”
Hunter’s positive energy, excitement about work and dedication to his role earned him a quick promotion to Senior District Manager for the Grand Rapids Subway market, a role that had him overseeing 16 stores.
Looking to grow in the industry — and recognizing the opportunities for advancement that Border Foods is famous for — Hunter applied for a job with us and was hired as a Taco Bell GM in May 2025. After he completed 12 weeks of training, he began leading our Zeeland location.
“Since then, we’ve been 100% green on all metrics,” Hunter shares. “I’m very excited about where the team is at.”
Finding Balance
It’s clear that Hunter has had a big impact on our business — but our business has also had a big impact on him!
“The biggest difference between [my former employer] and Border Foods, has to be, without a doubt, the protection of my time,” Hunter says. Having more flexibility in his schedule has allowed Hunter to spend more time with his family and pursue other things he’s passionate about — which, right now, are mainly writing and football.
Hunter is a published author and his first book, released in 2024, is titled The Way: Out of Self Sabotage into Self Mastery. It became a #1 Amazon bestseller in the Christian Men’s Living category. Hunter is now writing his second book, the working title of which is Please Dream Responsibly. In it, he hopes to address how the age of social media and instant gratification keeps men from their true purpose — and offer them ways to work through it.
Hunter also plays for the West Michigan Ironmen, a professional indoor football team that recently won the 2025 American Indoor Football (AIF) championship!
Border’s support during these ventures has been “incomparable” Hunter says, who shares that his co-workers even come to his football games to cheer him on.
This company not only protects my time, but they push me to be great in the other arenas I have authority in.
Hunter Charneski, Taco Bell General Manager
Leading the Way
While Hunter’s day-to-day may seem wide-ranging, a lot of what he does overlaps. Hunter shares that his experiences in football and writing also help him in his role as GM. “I can use analogies and metaphors from the track, the gridiron, behind a keyboard, and then use them in a cogent, coherent message that aligns the teams that I lead,” he says.
Hunter’s advice for others in the same place he found himself in 2023? “When you chase your dreams instead of your duty, you get neither,” he says. “But when you chase your duty, your dreams start chasing you.”
Hunter’s career in the quick service restaurant industry has given him a strong financial and professional foundation, allowing him to explore multiple interests. And he couldn’t be more grateful that he’s found himself here.
Hunter, we couldn’t be more impressed by all of your endeavors! Thank you for being such an incredible inspiration for all of us here at Border Foods.
