When Carl Fisher, the Owner of the Inner Harbor, Five Guys ® Burgers and Fries franchise, contacted me for training I thought he would be just another satisfied customer. Over several months I have trained many of his employees. What I didn’t know was the opportunity he offers to his employees. Read on – this man deserves some credit.
I have had the pleasure to have several conversations with Mr. Fisher when he personally brings the students to my classroom and picks them up after class. We have talked about offering youth opportunity and working hard for what you have. The same values I possess. What I didn’t know until today is that Mr. Fisher offers all his staff an opportunity to take the ServSafe ® Food Manager training – at his cost.
You may be asking yourself the question, Why is he training so many staff when the city requirement is only one person per shift? He does this simply to offer his employees an opportunity of individual growth. He said, “I will crack the door for them, it is up to them to walk through it.” What does he ask for in return? Simply that the employee follow the rules, come to work ready and on time and stay in his employ for one year. Then they are free to take the certification on to other hospitality facilities where bigger opportunities would be available to them. Without the certification these doors would otherwise be locked. Today he mentioned, most of the staff did not even know that this certification is available and even after years in food service no other employer has ever offered this to them. This is a big opportunity for these young employees and can open up doors normally closed. I have a feeling that they are also receiving more than a paycheck at the Inner Harbor Five Guys!
Why to go Carl – you are the first recipient of my Way To Go! Award.