The Bread Business Blog

Great Businesses Live their Mission Statements. Is it Enough?

Posted by Mike Ferretti on Feb. 5, 2010

 

 

September 11. We all have stories. One of our DC area bakeries was owned by a couple that had Pentagon ties. He worked there. She used to. They lost some friends in the attack. Like the entire country, we were all aching to do something. But, we were sitting in Montana 2000 miles away. What could we do? We did the only thing we knew. We baked bread. We opened our training bakery to the public and sold the bread.  We took all of the money we raised and sent it to the Pentagon 9/11 Victim Relief fund. A bunch of Great Harvest bakeries did the same thing in their towns. We felt better. But...

One of our field reps, Kayla Conner, came up to me at the end of the day as I was all happy with what we had done and said, "You know, that was awesome, but is it enough?  We did a great thing but that is the only time the home office has ever done that. We have tons of organizations in Montana that need help. Can't we do something for them, too?"

Wow.  Talk about getting a reality check.  She was totally right.  The fifth line of the Great Harvest Mission Statement reads Give generously to others.

It was time for the home office to start to walk the walk.  It was something we all wanted to do, but we just never had as an office.  That was no one's fault.  We just hadn't.  We were generous people doing generous things individually in the community, but not as a group.

So, we thought about how could we fix that. Someone came up with the brilliant idea of making it a part of the training that our franchisees receive when they buy a store.  Prior to that, we had encouraged bakeries to give back to their communities, but had never led by example. The bakeries were living generosity but were we?  From that moment forward, every training class that has come into the Great Harvest system has opened the training bakery for a day, baked and sold bread, and given all of the money to a local southwest Montana charity. Over 50 classes. Over 50 bake days. Over $200,000.

That has become a part of our training culture. People that join the Great Harvest family of bakery owners get the spirit of generosity from the day they graduate to being an owner. It isn't just a line in our mission statement. It is something we care enough about to shut the office down for these days (did I mention that these things have become so popular that trainees can't  handle them on their own so we close the office for the day and join in the effort with them?) so that we can really live the dream. 

And all because one field rep had the guts to say three little words. Three words everyone wanted to say but she actually did.

"Is it enough?"

Kayla Conner photo

Start Your Day with Whole Grains

 Posted by Brittny Bird on Feb. 3, 2010

 

 

Growing up, I hope you heard the prophetic words from your mother, "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day."  She was absolutely right!  Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day.  Without breakfast, your brain and your muscles do not have the energy they need to sustain activity throughout the day.  Research has found people who skip breakfast often feel more tired, irritable and restless in the morning.  On the other hand, those who do eat breakfast have a better attitude toward work, higher productivity and better ability to handle tasks that require memory. Other studies show that breakfast eaters are 50% less likely to be obese!

Simply eating something in the morning is a great start, but choosing a variety of foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean protein and low/non fat dairy help you get even more from the meal. Your local Great Harvest has many great breakfast products that can be paired with an apple or banana and a glass of milk for a healthy and nutritious breakfast for the whole family.  In addition to whole grain breads (great for toast!), muffins and scones, look for fresh-ground pancake mixes you can take home.

What is your favorite breakfast?

Now I can go on

 

 Posted by Mike Ferretti on Feb. 1, 2010

 

 

We lost one of the good guys a few weeks ago.  Mauri Booton and Mary Hellerstedt owned a Great Harvest bakery in Des Moines until he was diagnosed with cancer.  They retired to fight his fight and did so successfully for a number of years.  Unfortunately, the number wasn't big enough.

The best Great Harvest story I have heard was when someone walked into Mary and Mauri's store, closed their eyes, took a deep breath and said something like "Whew.  Now the day is better.  I can go on.  I just needed to come here and get a love fix."

That is Mary and Mauri.  Making each of us feel like we are the most important thing in the world.  Making us all feel like we can all go on.  Just because a life is too short, doesn't always mean it is tragic.  Mauri made us better.  He helped us go on.  He took our tragedies and made them better.

Now, Mary needs us to help her go on.  Everyone in the cancer community needs us.  She is running her first half marathon in San Diego on June 6, 2010.  She is doing that in memory of Mauri as part of the Team in Training program sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Our goal is to help her raise $30,000 for the cause.  

Big number?  Yep.....  But, like a run, we can do it if we break it into manageable chunks.  13.1 miles?  Oops.  That's a big deal.  One lap around the track?  I can do that.  Just do it, take a break and do it again.  Keep going until you hit 13.1 miles.  Piece of cake.  

$30,000?  Oops.  Big deal.  Break it down into small pieces and we can do it.  A little here and a little there and we have it.  200 bakeries?  Yes.  $150 per store?  Piece of cake.  Look for a picture of Mary at the finish line in June. 

Our plan is to take a day in March or April (keep checking back for details) and ask each customer in each store to donate $1 for the cause.  Cancer knows no boundaries.  This is a fight for us all.  Please help us in this fight when the day arrives.  To paraphrase the world's best known cancer fighter, "Game on....we may as well win."

Read more about Mary's race at her fundraising page. Thanks for your help.

Do you have any stories about Mauri or the Des Moines Great Harvest Bread Co or Team in Training events like this race? We'd love to hear them.

Decadent Bread Dessert Recipe for Valentine's Day

  

 

Posted by Misti Maisch on Jan. 29, 2010

 

 

 Hi, I'm Misti Maisch.  I've been a part of the Great Harvest Bread Co. family since 1999.  I'm a field representative so when I'm not at my desk at the home office in Montana, I am somewhere in the U.S. visiting a bakery and evaluating their operations.  Needless to say, I eat a ton of Great Harvest bread, and I enjoy every bite!  I am a self-professed food critic and am happiest when I am in the kitchen creating something delicious for my family and friends. 

Speaking of cooking, Valentine's Day is on the horizon.  I think my husband and I are going to do a quiet and romantic dinner at home (yah right... with 3 kids!)  Anyway, I was thinking about a fun dessert that could be enjoyed by adults and yet be kid friendly as well. 

Great Harvest makes this Brownie Batter Bread which is heaven for chocolate lovers.  Some bakeries even bake this recipe in a heart shaped baking mold. (Just call your local bakery and ask if it is on their menu for February.)  Dessert doesn't have to be complicated.  All you knead (ha ha) is a little creativity!

So this is what I plan to do...perhaps you will join me?

• 1 Brownie Batter Bread from your local Great Harvest Bread Co.
• 1 small container of fresh raspberries
• Homemade chocolate ganache - the recipe follows:

Put a small sauce pan on the stove filled with water.  Bring to a boil.  Take a metal bowl and set it on top.  Add ½ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips.  Use a spatula to stir the chocolate chips until they are completely melted.  Once they are melted, add 1/3 cup of heavy whipping cream.  Stir until the cream is completely incorporated, and it looks smooth.  Carefully, take the metal bowl off the saucepan (it will be hot!).  Using your spatula, mix in about 1 tsp of real vanilla (you know, the good stuff.)

Pour your fabulous chocolate sauce over your Brownie Batter Bread.  Add the desired amount of fresh raspberries to the top for garnish.  If you really want to impress your family, add a sprig of fresh mint as well.

Piece of cake!   

Happy Baking~

Misti

 

Create a Small Business to Fit Your Life

 

 Posted by Bonnie Harry on Jan. 26, 2010

 

 

Authentic and passionate describe Matt and Sheri Salis, owners of the downtown Denver Great Harvest. Matt says, "You've got to focus on the things you love". He lives up to that mantra.

Matt and Sheri were living in Ft Wayne, IN when they decided to go into business for themselves. Matt, with a marketing/business degree, worked for the steel business in sales and marketing. Sheri, with a culinary degree, worked in fancy restaurants. At one point along the way, Sheri had worked at the St. Paul, MN Great Harvest. Matt and Sheri fell in love with Great Harvest. Although they had not considered a franchise, the freedom aspect of Great Harvest attracted them. Other franchises they investigated were either too expensive or had too many controls. While Great Harvest seemed the logical choice, they decided they shouldn't just go with their first choice. They researched other options and came full circle back to Great Harvest. Long story short, they opted to purchase an existing bakery in Denver, CO. They loved Barry, the current and original owner of the Denver Great Harvest, and knew they would like Denver.

I asked Matt what he liked most about owning his own store. Matt told me his Dad always got home late. As a result he missed their soccer games and a lot of the kids' lives growing up. Matt wanted a livelihood where he could spend time with his family. Both Matt and his wife, Sheri, work in the bakery and have three kids, plus one on the way. They really appreciate their flexible schedules to cover the bakery and home responsibilities between the two of them without the expense of daycare for the kids. 

The people are a huge bonus of the work. Matt loves being able to reward employees on the spot, whether it's a simple "thank you," free dinner, or to send someone home with pay for the rest of the day for a mini holiday.  Matt and Sheri are passionately behind what they do. They've chosen not to make white bread. In fact they don't use white flour in the bakery at all. While some may view it as a poor business decision, for Matt and Sheri, it's authentic. Their business reflects what they're passionate about. A sign in the store sums it up, "Crazy us - We believe the best way to reduce health care costs is to make healthy choices - Eat whole grains."

Matt notes he has a sarcastic sense of humor that may not resonate with everyone. He has a sign above his breadboard and cash register that says, "Mean person surcharge $5.00". Matt says the mean person sign is a win-win for him. If people are mean, they pay him more. If someone is truly mean and gets offended, they may not come back. In reality, the sign gets a lot of chuckles from customers.

Matt says while the reality is always different than the dream, they are really happy with their decision to own the bakery. Sometimes it's stressful being a small business owner. There are times when the whole family needs to be at the store. Then there are other days when he can go home early. The day I interviewed him, he was scheduled to play Batman with his two boys. He told me he was not sure what all it entailed but has "something to do with wearing a mask." 

Have any of you been to the Salis' bakery on Colorado Boulevard in Denver? Have you met Matt or Sheri? How was your experience?

What Are the Land Lines for Your Small Business?

 

 Posted by Mike Ferretti on Jan. 22, 2010

 

 

It was cold when I got up this morning so I headed to the treadmill and wimped out on running outside.  Treadmills are boring so I need inspiration.  Today's choice was a video of the 25^th anniversary Ironman competition from Kona.  There was something remarkable in the show.  Any IM is remarkable but something else struck me.

Paula Newby-Fraser, the greatest IM athlete of all time in my opinion and yes, I think a woman holds that honor, was recalling what she considered the low point in her career.   In 1995 she blacked out during the marathon portion of the event and could have died.  The video of the incident has a race official standing over her looking a touch stressed screaming "Call 911!  Does anyone have a cellular?  Call 911!" 

Are you kidding?  Cellular?  Who doesn't have a cell?  That was just 15 years ago and look how institutionalized that change has become in our society. Today the question might be "Who has a land line?"

This isn't some nostalgia piece for Coolio tunes or Fargo on VHS.  Just the opposite.  Every business, every idea, every relationship has its landlines.  The trick is knowing which ones are worth keeping and which ones can go.  Once you figure out which to preserve, you have to take steps to make that happen.

At the core of our business model is our belief in individual freedom and equity.  Our definition of individual freedom is a topic for another day but like all freedoms, they can be taken if not protected.

Franchising has a reputation, in some cases well deserved, for being less than fair to its franchisees.  That is why it is so heavily regulated. 

We think we are different.  We are fair to our franchisees and that will always be true but this is one of our land lines we are keeping.

In 2001, a group of franchisees approached me with a radical idea.  Renegotiate the franchise agreement from scratch to the point that we all thought it was good and then allow it to be changed only when both the franchise office and a super majority of an elected council of their peers agreed.  No other franchise company in the world has done that and it is what really makes us different.  We started with a premise that our negotiated agreement was fair and we should change it only when we had a darn good reason.  Not because we feel like it or just found a way to make more money. 

The legacy of that is a business and its customer base who have stated -- "Here is what we consider a fair way to do business and we are going to make it work for life unless we both agree to change it."  All of the things that matter are now subject to consensus change management, not one-sided implementation. 

I remember presenting this idea at a franchise conference. The first two questions I got were from the COO's of two well-known, national franchise companies.  They were  "Have you lost your mind?" and "Will you not tell anyone else, please because the rest of us don't want to do it."  If your competitors want you to be quiet, odds are you did something right.

Giving up control of your business rules is scary but if you want to really cement your bond with your customers, doing just that makes a perpetual commitment to treat them fairly.

As I finished my run, Paula had not won her 9^th world championship, but she did finish 12^th.   In her mid 40's.  In a sport dominated by people 15 years her younger.  Rock star.  No one was surprised.

What are your land lines and what are you doing to keep the ones worth keeping?

Whole grains are an important part of a healthy diet

 

 Posted by Brittny Bird on Jan. 19, 2010

 

Thousands of people each year make a New Year's Resolution and year after year, statistics show the number one resolution is to lose weight.  It is not a surprise after a month long celebration of food, friends and growing waist lines. It is also fitting that this month is National Diet Month and I can't think of a better concept to focus on in January than diets. Losing weight is complicated but let me give you a few tips to help you be among the few who keep their resolutions.

To myself and many other dietitians, diet is a four-letter word. Diets don't work for the long term; the weight goes off and then comes back on. Instead of picking a trendy diet this year, try to make lifestyle changes that will continue to give you results.

Exercise and eating healthy go hand-in-hand, especially when shedding pounds. Start small and work up to the recommend 60-90 minutes most days of the week to lose weight.  Make sure you are eating all the recommended servings of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  Multiple studies have shown that eating 3 ounces of whole grains each day cuts belly fat and helps you weigh less! It also helps you maintain weight after those pounds are shed. Check out the hearty whole grain breads at your local Great Harvest that will help keep you full and looking great.

Do you have an exercise tip or a favority healthy meal idea to share?

Small Business Rock Star

 

 Posted by Debbie Huber on Jan. 15, 2010

 

 
You would not guess Mike Young is a rock star if you met him on the street. I mean a "rock star" in the sense of an amazing small business owner who is a remarkable role model for other business owners.

True confessions -- the first time I met Mike, I thought he was too uptight and corporate for this loose and fun culture. I wasn't convinced he'd be a good bakery owner. Then he won me, and the rest of us, over and now owns the Great Harvest Bread Co. in Jackson, Mississippi. Lucky for us!

After Christmas, I heard a story from Mike's field representative at the franchise office about his bakery's holiday party. He had a small gathering at his house for his employees to thank them for all their work. Usually, he takes them out to a really nice restaurant for a holiday party after Christmas when they are caught up on their sleep -- the holidays are the busiest time of the year in a bakery! But this year, they had heard about a family that was drowning in medical bills due to a child's illness, and were about to be evicted. The employees came to Mike and asked him to use their party money to help this family instead. They all personally contributed cash to the fund too and were able to pay a full month of the family's rent so they could stay in their home.

I thought that was a cool story, so I called Mike to ask if I could write about this "random act of kindness." That's where the story started going down an unexpected path for me. As I was talking to Mike and pulling details from him about how the employees came up with this idea, I realized that Mike has created a culture in his business where something like this would happen. It's really NOT a random act.

Mike understands the value of his employees to his small business. He told me his number one challenge is to find and keep good employees. He defines a good employee as someone who has at least two-thirds of his commitment and passion for the business. He knows it's unrealistic to expect more than that, so he doesn't stress the team out with expectations that won't be met.

 

He created a team that executed flawlessly through the busiest time of the year by taking care of them individually. One of his employees is a musician -- he loaned her the money to buy a $10,000 harp and she paid him back within a year. He has also loaned money to employees for kids' eye glasses, a car, college tuition and parents' funeral expenses. My mouth was dropping as I heard this. Definitely not a best practice from business school, but Mike nonchalantly says "my employees know that if they need something, we'll help each other out. This same thing happens between employees here, too."

Talk about putting your money where your mouth is! What do you think? Would you do the same for your employees?

Throw a Super Bowl party with real food

Hi there. My name is Kate Ord and I'm the marketing director for Great Harvest. I think I'm the luckiest gal in the marketing profession. I work for an amazing company and my office is right above the test kitchen. Great Harvest attracts fun, entrepreneurial, community-minded bakery owners. It's a great crowd to run with. One of my favorite responsibilities is helping bakery owners live out the Great Harvest mission of giving generously to others. In 2009, Great Harvest bakery owners nationwide donated more than 400 tons of whole grain products to places like homeless shelters, youth centers, food banks, soup kitchens, and other nonprofits serving children and families in crisis. I'm humbled and grateful everyday.

So being a foodie, I was invited to post a favorite way to use our bread. With the Super Bowl coming up, I thought I'd share what I'm serving this year. I'm going to hollow out a large round loaf of Honey Whole Wheat and fill it with chili. I surround the bowl with blue tortilla chips. It becomes a centerpiece. Just ladle into bowls. I also provide shredded cheese, salsa, chopped onions, avocado and sour cream to add. Great Harvest has some great chili mixes. I like them because they're all natural, no salt, no MSG or preservatives. I substitute the "hearty beef" with range-fed buffalo meat. Living in southwestern Montana has its benefits. Buffalo meat is lean and rich tasting and a perfect complement to fresh, hearty bread. That's where the "Cowboy" toast comes in. I grill Cheddar Garlic on the BBQ. Just slice it, drizzle with olive oil and grill for a couple minutes on each side.

On the sweeter end of the spectrum, I'll be baking up a batch of our "Made From Scratch" mix Double Fudge Brownies. I kid you not, these are sensational. We put the Great Harvest test baker through his paces when formulating this mix - it had to be whole grain, velvety, and oh so chocolaty. We sampled many varieties before arriving at the final mix. Tough assignment, but I'm a team player. This mix is better than anything I've ever tried anywhere. Sorry mom. In keeping with the chili theme, I add a little (1 tbsp) ancho chili powder and a pinch of cinnamon to the batter to create my famous "Sweet & Spicy Super Bowl Brownies!"

So which playoff teams do you think will make it to the Super Bowl? Any special reason? Do you traditionally attend or throw a Super Bowl bash?

Ten Reasons to eat Whole Grains in 2010

Hi, I'm Brittny Bird, the dietitian for Great Harvest. I am excited to bring you news and information about healthy whole grains. I like eating healthy but I am a firm believer that food has to taste good. I don't think there is a better way to eat nutritious whole grains than a slice of any of our whole grain breads. 

With the new year under way, many people have been making (and breaking) New Year's resolutions. Amongst failed goals, everyone needs something that they can stick to. Here are the top 10 reasons why you should be eating 3 ounces of whole grains every day.

1. Eating food fresh always tastes better and is better for you. Fresh ground whole wheat flour is no different.

2. Whole grains are packed full of essential vitamins and minerals including iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, folic acid and many B-vitamins.

3. The fiber in whole grains is increasingly being found to have many important health benefits including improving management of weight, heart disease and diabetes.

4. Wheat and oats equal broccoli and spinach in antioxidant activity!

5. People who eat more whole grains usually weigh less and have lower amounts of abdominal fat.

6. Carbohydrates are the only source of energy for your red blood cells and the main source of energy for the brain, central nervous system and baby during pregnancy.

7. White flour is missing 17 key nutrients and 25% of the protein found in whole grains.

8. Kids who eat more whole grains reduce their risk of obesity, diabetes, asthma and may have less acne.

9. People who eat more whole grains have a reduced risk of heart disease, strokes and certain cancers and are less likely to get diabetes.

10. Making half your grains whole each day is as simple as eating a sandwich made on Honey Whole Wheat or a bowl of Cranberry Almond Oatmeal and slice of High 5 Fiber for breakfast.

What are your reasons for eating healthy in 2010?