Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue III, 2014 | Page 34
2014 MVP AWARDS
BY DEBBIE SELINSKY
People Centered
Guests and staff both reap the rewards
C
raig Joy, who works side by side with employees
on the sandwich line at his Checkers restaurants in
Florida, is known for his people-driven approach to
business and the high retention rate of what he calls
his “incredible team.”
“We’re lucky to have him,” says Checkers Vice President
for Franchise Development Jennifer Durham. “Crew members look to him as an inspirational leader. He gives them an
opportunity to grow more than the average fast-food job. He
cares about his people and really gives them an opportunity
to grow professionally.”
And it’s clear that Joy, Checkers’ 2013 Franchisee of the
Year, takes pleasure in new, more efficient ways to operate
his six restaurants in the Tampa area. For example, Checkers
has a “Peak 150” strategy, meaning the time between order
and food delivery is 150 seconds. In implementing that strategy, Joy also used technology to make things go even more
smoothly by installing drive-thru timers that clock vehicle
time from the menu board to the pick-up window. He was
also one of the first to use an outside employee taking orders
behind the menu board with the use of a tablet, and the first
to roll out the brand’s Cold Creations sweet treats line. And
in 2013, he piloted Checkers’ wireless order-taking system.
Joy, who began franchising with Taco Bell and became a
Checkers franchisee in 1990, says he’s keeping a close watch
on how technology affects his business. “While people will
always be at the forefront of our business, I try to keep an
open mind as to what is going to drive business in our everchanging environment,” he says. “Technological advances in
our business can lead to greater increases throughout, leading
to ease for our guests and, in the end, increased sales. This
is why we’re in business.”
“Craig is a valued leader in our system. He’s an excellent
NAME: Ronald Craig Joy
TITLE: Owner, President, Sunstate Restaurant
Management, Clearwater, Fla.
NO. OF UNITS: 6 Checkers Drive-In
AGE: 65
FAMILY: Wife Janice; children Cristi, Ryan, and Holly,
5 grandchildren
YEARS IN FRANCHISING: 30
YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION: 23
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MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE IS S UE III, 2014