Hello, I’m Kay Roach and I’ve been working at the franchise office for Great Harvest since July 2012. I enjoy my job, the people I work with and our delicious products. It is very gratifying
to help people achieve the dream of owning their own business. Everyday people in the franchise office work hard to support our franchisees in their success. We partner with franchisees as they embark on creating great food in a fun environment.
I was recently sitting with some friends in a writer’s group when we stumbled across a word that made us curious about its Latin origin. I do love words (although I’m not very good at Scrabble). Still, it is fun to sleuth the meaning of words once you’re headed down the “Latin” path, which is what we did.
The word “companion” is comprised of two Latin words, “com” meaning with and “panis” meaning bread. When I discovered the origin of the word companion, these Latin roots immediately resonated with me. I think of bread as a staple, one of the simplest forms of food, which is needed to sustain life and companionship or friendship as the foundation for human relations. How fitting to think of this union – bread and relationships at the holidays. Many of us will be sharing food and drink with friends, co-workers, and family as we socialize and celebrate throughout the next few weeks.
Bread is a food that has sustained people for generations. Bread is one of the oldest prepared foods. Even in times when other foods were not available bread was what was eaten. Roots from plants were ground and combined with water to make unleavened dough that could be fried or baked. Later fermented ingredients were added to create a lighter leavened bread. It’s no wonder that bread has significance in religious and cultural traditions. In my family we have special recipes that have been passed down from my grandmother’s mother’s table to my children’s tables. Through tradition we are connected to the past and the future. I think of my grandmother every time I prepare our traditional “Christmas Morning Bread”.
Great Harvest Bread Company owners create delicious whole grain breads and sweets every
day. Have you been in one of our bakeries and smelled the fragrant aroma? In preparing their goods, bakery owners participate in the lives of those who cross the threshold of their bakeries. Recently, I was copied on an e-mail that was sent to the bakery customers of one of our Michigan locations. The owners sold their bakery after twenty years of business. The e-mail was a thank-you to their customers and commented on the privilege of being there for all of the big celebrations in life…birthdays, graduations, holidays and the everyday morning toast and coffee. I was touched by their e-mail and reflected on the melding of food and relationship in our culture. Bread is a metaphor for staple or necessity, but the act of sharing ones food is an act of generosity or providing comfort.
As a “Freedom Franchise” no two Great Harvest bakeries are exactly alike. Each owner chooses their menu and offerings and adds their own personal touch to the bakery they create. This makes owning a bakery exciting for the business owner, the franchisor, and the customers. Some bakeries are larger and offer seating and a menu that includes bread, sweets, sandwiches and other merchandise. Some bakeries are smaller and offer only bread and sweets. Some bakeries are open 5 days a week and others are open 7 days a week, allowing owners to tailor their schedule to meet their lifestyle.
Bakery owners enjoy the opportunity of owning their own business and being their own boss. This doesn’t mean the work is easy. It takes a lot of work to own a successful bakery. However owners are grateful for the opportunity to go to work each day, to hone their baking craft, to provide wholesome delicious food. I would say the majority of them do it because they love working for the customer. They love being a part of the traditions and celebrations of their customers. They love bringing food and friendship together in their bakeries.
Interested in learning more about owning your own small business?
