Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue III, 2016 | Page 44

2016 MVP AWARDS
BY HELEN BOND

A Culture of Giving

The Saxton Group is committed to serving its communities

W

hen an EF4 tornado ripped
through the northeastern
Dallas suburb of Rowlett
the day after Christmas last
year, the people at a McAlister’s Deli a
mile away knew just what to do.
“Our manager was feeding first responders free, handing out food to anyone
who needed it,” says Adam Saxton, chief
business officer at The Saxton Group. “He
knew it was the right thing to do and that
the company would support that decision
without question. You can’t do that if your
people don’t know your culture.”
Employees of The Saxton Group, the
country’s largest McAlister’s Deli franchisee,
are card-carrying members of the company’s culture—literally. Every employee
receives a business-sized laminated card
that outlines the franchisee organization’s
vision, mission, and values—with a special
emphasis on contributing to the communities where they operate.
“We call them culture cards,” says
Saxton, who co-owns the Dallas-based
company with his father Kelly Sexton,
founder and CEO, and younger brother
Matt, chief operating officer. Saxton,
who has been with the company for 13
years, says it’s really been a lot longer
than that. “Since this is a family busiNAME: Adam Saxton
TITLE: Chief business officer,

co-owner
NO. OF UNITS: McAlister’s Deli, 67
AGE: 34
FAMILY: Wife Sarah, 2-year old

twin boys, Patrick and Harry
YEARS IN FRANCHISING: 13
YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION: 2

(previously vice president)

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