Spring Creek Restaurants

Spring Creek Restaurants
The Sauce
A Word from Chris Carroll
Spring Creek Restaurants Newsletter
Spring Creek Barbeque has made a
landmark leap to Texas’ largest city,
with the opening of two new Houston
stores. This is a very important step
in the growth of our company. We
already have a reputation for great food
and customer service in the Metroplex and in East Texas. Now, we are
introducing the Spring Creek style to
the Houston community. So far, the
response has been excellent from our
new guests, who say they love our food,
but who also never fail to comment
on the friendliness of our management
and staff, and the attention to customer
service.
The opening of restaurants in a completely new
market has told us something good about our
company, and that is how much people notice
and appreciate friendliness and attention to
customer service. Our industry has never been
more competitive than it is today, and the only
way to be successful is to offer great food, with
that extra touch of personal service to each and
every guest who walks through our doors.
I am very proud of our Spring Creek team in
Houston, but equally proud of our Mexican
Inn team, who recently opened a busy new
Lake Worth location. Also of special note is
the fact that Shady Oak celebrates its five-year
anniversary this spring. And, of course, Spring
Creek continues to deliver great food and
service to our North and East Texas clientele.
Finally, at this busy time of the year, it is appropriate to recognize the many contributions
of the Spring Creek Catering Company. While
providing an excellent service, this dedicated
group also introduces new customers to our
restaurants at every catering event.
One of our company’s strengths has always
been its fine people. Now, with the growth we
anticipate in the next few years, the challenge
is for each of us to perform at the highest level
possible each and every day.
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Editor...Greg T. Hall
May 2007
Employee Profile
BRYAN
HARGROVE
Spring
Creek
Barbeque
Bryan and his son
Hayden attend a
Rangers game.
Position: Southeast Regional Director for
Spring Creek Barbeque. Bryan leads our
company’s expansion into the Houston market.
Hometown: Dallas, although he moved
around a lot while growing up.
Family: Wife D.D., son Hayden (5) and
daughter Allyson (almost 2)
Most influential person in his life: Bryan says
there is no question that D.D. has made him
the person he is today.
Special interests: Spending time with his family, baseball and working with wood.
Time with Spring Creek Barbeque: 13 years
Bryan had already attended college (McMurry
University) and had some restaurant experience
when he walked in the door at Spring Creek
Irving. From there, he became a member of
the DeSoto opening team. Bryan then moved
to Arlington, followed by Lewisville, and once
again came to DeSoto, where he was named
SPRING CREEK BARBEQUE-LITTLE YORK
Store Partner. Five years ago, Bryan joined the
leadership ranks with responsibility over several
stores. Then, a remarkable opportunity came
his way. He was offered the top management
position in the new Houston market.
With the opening of our first Spring Creek restaurant in Houston, Bryan has had a chance to
observe the people in this fast-growing city. He
finds them universally nice and genuine. Not
only that, but they have given the restaurant an
early vote of confidence. Bryan says people talk
to him about the great food and the pleasant
atmosphere. But what has really impressed our
guests, he says, is the friendliness of the staff
and the attention to customer service. Bryan
adds that his team of student employees does a
superior job.
Finally, he says that his management team is
extraordinary. First, he knows them all very
well and has worked with them for a long time,
so everyone feels a sense of teamwork. Second,
they all understand what makes Spring Creek
so special and have the same high expectations
he has.
Owner Chris Carroll says of Bryan, “He is a
strong leader, with a great deal of talent and determination to succeed. I can’t think of a better
person to fill this important role.”
We at The Sauce offer Bryan our congratulations for a job well done!
Pictured to the left is the
entire Spring Creek opening
team for our company’s first
venture into the dynamic
Houston market. After its
opening on January 29, the
Little York restaurant experienced an extremely busy first
month and great reviews from
customers who were new to
the Spring Creek experience.
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Congratulations....
to these members of our Management Team!
At Spring Creek
The opening of our first two Houston restaurants has brought about the relocaton of some of
Spring Creek’s most talented team members from
the Metroplex to South Texas. These include
Bryan Hargrove (Southeast Regional Director),
Todd Gordon (Managing Partner), and Ellis
Dyson (District Manager).
The Houston/West Little York store management
team consists of Store Partner David Grissom,
#2 Manager Dale Parchman, along with Mike
Rhoads, who is both a Store Manager and Catering Manager, Eric Hayes, Charlie McKinney
and Rick Weber.
The management team at the recently-opened
Humble store includes Ellis Dyson, Matt Barrett, Chris Hill, Juan Perez and Sonny Daniels.
Meanwhile, these changes have taken place in our
Metroplex restaurants:
New to the Store Partner Position are Cory Hall
(Mansfield) and Kim Hill (Addison).
New #2 Managers are: Reggie Barber (Frisco),
Russell Francis (Preston), Kyle Mitchell (Addison), Dathan Parks (Arlington), Jason Ramsey
(Irving), Chris Stewart (Mesquite) and Philip
Yates (Garland).
At Shady Oak
Bobby Brown is the new District Manager with
responsibility for the Fossil Creek and North
Arlington stores.
New Store Partners are Chris Dobbs (Fossil
Creek) and Whitt Melton (North Arlington).
Top Performer Contest celebrates nine lives
The contest that started in the fall of 2002 is still going strong. The Top Performer Contest, which
is scored on criteria that impact and lead to positive guest experiences at Spring Creek Barbeque,
has just completed its ninth running.
The coveted “Top Performer Cup” last resided in the DeSoto store under the leadership of Lo
Fong Kiatoukaysi. However, everything was up for grabs again this spring as the Spring Creek
leadership group comprised of Larry Swanzy, David Degelia, Eric Boykin and Dinny Stack,
administered another contest to see who is our current Top Performer.
The contest has always been about gauging a store’s ability to provide great food and service and to
be able to do it in front of the area leadership who serve as judges.
The respective area manager nominated each store. Irving, Preston, Richardson and defending
champion DeSoto rose to the top and battled each other for the title and the rights to the trophy.
As is always the case, the event climaxes with the announcement of the winner at the Top Performer Banquet. Shady Oak Barbeque & Grill on Copeland Road hosted the banquet. The
Sauce extends a special thanks to Shady Oak Store Partner Whitt Melton and his crew for being
excellent hosts, not to mention Shady Oak Director of Operations, Gary Burkham, for standing
shoulder to shoulder with Whitt in the kitchen cranking out the food.
All of the Area Managers had an opportunity to recognize their nominated stores and respective
managers. Later, as is the tradition, each Spring Creek Store Partner stood and explained to the
audience why
they thought
their store
should win.
When the envelope was opened,
the Richardson
Store, under
the guidance of
Dual Role Store
Partner Gary
Myers, brought
home the cup.
All the nominated stores
and their staffs Members of the Richardson team pictured left to right are: Fabian Flores, Josh
should be very Smith, Gabe Mueller, Gary Myers, Eddie Mann, Cody Crenshaw and David
Vest.
proud. Please
join The Sauce in
recognizing the staff and management teams from the following Top Performer Contestants:
New to the #2 position are: Jacob Grossheusch
(Plano), Brandon Haddad (South Arlington),
Jacob Parnell (North Arlington) and
J.J. Wiggins (Fossil Creek).
Richardson: Store Partner Gary Myers, #2 Fabian Flores, Cody Crenshaw, David Vest, Eddie
Mann & Josh Smith
At Mexican Inn
Preston: Store Partner Belinda Smith, #2 Russell Francis and Chad Olson
New General Managers are: Doug Cassidy
(Arlington), Ben Flores (Lake Worth), Adriana
Gonzalez (Camp Bowie), Juan Piedra (Eighth
Avenue), Ricardo Rivera (Burleson) and Ivan
Soto (Mansfield).
Irving: Store Partner Michael Tejada, #2 Jason Tejada, Jesus Leon and Megan Fortune
New #2 Managers are Jeff Cox (Arlington) and
P.J. Santos (Bedford).
At the Corporate Office
New to the corporate staff since our last issue are:
Mike Dilley, real estate specialist; Carla Hale,
receptionist; Amanda McDonald, catering assistant; and Steve Wunderlich, who now handles
restaurant management recruiting (after having
spent many years with us in restaurant management).
May 007 working copy.indd DeSoto: Store Partner Lo Fong Kiatoukaysi, #2 Ashford Norwood, Jeffrey Williams, John
McGowty, Johnny Robertson and Josue Garcia
GREAT JOB!
G.T.H.
Two members of the Texas
Rangers baseball team came
out to mingle with the
guests at Shady Oak Fossil
Creek, and several Shady
Oak employees were there
to greet them (left to right):
Pablo Martinez, Jennifer
Coon, Alicia Pieri, Pitcher
John Koronka, Pitcher Scott
Feldman, District Manager
Bobby Brown, Matt Roland, Lee Reed and Logan
Liles.
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Block Contest 2006-”Best at the Block”
Say the word “block” to someone outside the industry, and it might conjure up imagery of a “city block” or a “building block” or even a football maneuver intended to
impede the path of someone. However, using the term “block” within the four walls of
a Spring Creek Barbeque will instantly register as the place where knife-wielding meat
cutters ply their trade.
Over the years, many of our cutters have achieved expert status and regularly
wow our guests with their unique and finely-honed skills with a knife. Spring
Creek block personnel are one of a kind, in that they educate and entertain our
guests while putting out beautiful plates hundreds of times a day in all of
our locations.
For the first time in 2005, we put our experts to the test to see who was the
“best at the block.” It was so competitive and so much fun that we had to
let our finest have at it again in 2006.
All contestants were initially qualified in their home stores to compete for a position in
the semi-finals. Three different semi-final competitions were held where the field was
narrowed to nine contestants.
The contestants were judged in the areas of speed, accuracy and presentation, with the highest
value attributed to presentation. All nine finalists received knife sets and,
most importantly, special shirts proclaiming them as finalists in the 2006
“Best at the Block” competition.
Individual skills champions received special trophies, and the Grand Champion in each division received a trophy, DVD Player and a 32”
color TV, not to mention the recognition of being the best in the
company in their division.
Please join The Sauce in acknowledging these champions:
Finalists: Jesus Leon (Irving), Mike Ogles (Fort Worth),
Bill Fanous (Preston) and Brad Thomason (Irving).
Best Presentation: Juan Perez (Arlington)
Most Accurate: Juan Perez (Arlington)
Fastest Knife: Matt Barrett (Mansfield)
*** Honorable mention to Kim Hill (Addison) who missed
fastest knife honors by one second.
Grand Champion Open Division: Juan Perez (Arlington)-two years in a row!
Grand Champion Store Partner Division: Ryan Bradshaw (Garland)
Grand Champion High School Division: Adam Henley (Lake Worth)
A special thanks to all of the host stores and their staffs, contestants, judges and especially
those of you who came out to watch and cheer your favorites on...you proved once again that
Spring Creek Barbeque is made up of some of the finest people anywhere. Here is looking
forward to the 2007 competition.
P.S. Juan Perez is running out of places to put TV’s, so I hope that everyone is
practicing.
G.T.H.
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Spring Creek All Star Spotlight
Jessica Cannon-Garland
Ben Phillips-Mansfield
When Jessica joined the Garland team, “she
rose to the top quickly,” says her Store Partner
Ryan Bradshaw. He points to Jessica’s leadership and overall great work ethic as special
qualities. She also trains and mentors new
employees, showing poise and maturity beyond
her years. Jessica is a graduate of Sachse High,
where she made excellent grades and participated in many activities. She is now doing a great
job with her college work and was recently
named a Spring Creek Associate Manager.
Ben’s former and current Store Partners Matt
Barrett and Cory Hall say that Ben is a
wonderful employee who excels at every store
position. He is one of Mansfield’s top blockmen and can handle even the busiest situation.
All the newer and younger employees trust and
look up to Ben. While working 30 hours per
week, he also attends Tarrant County College,
where he makes excellent grades. Matt says
that, as a former All Star himself, he recognizes
Ben as a great candidate for this honor.
Josue Garcia-DeSoto
Brady Robertson-Bedford
Manager Ashford Norwood and Store Partner
Lo Fong Kiatoukaysi give Josue the highest praise. As a high school employee, he was
outstanding, balancing a 35-hour per week
work schedule with high grades and activities.
Now a straight-A college student, Josue serves
as an Associate Manager with the same high
standards. From his first day on the job, he has
displayed an outstanding work ethic and fine
leadership skills. Josue does his job “the Spring
Creek way” and sees that others do the same.
Ashford and Lo Fong say he is simply everything an All Star should be.
Brady is a “prime example of an All-Star,” say
Store Partner Jeff Satterly and Manager Brandon Littlepage. He started as Bedford’s best
busser and disher, and in a short time moved to
the line, where he excelled. Brady can handle
the block with confidence, even on the busiest
nights. With a 35-hour work week, he is a very
valuable member of his store’s team. Not only
does Brady take his Spring Creek responsibilities seriously, but he is also a top sutdent at
L. D. Bell High, where he is in his junior year.
Derek Levi-Bedford
Ashton Snoga-Mesquite
Derek can always be counted on when help
is needed, according to his Store Partner Jeff
Satterly and Manager Brandon Littlepage.
He is a leader who consistently shows up early
for his shifts and has mastered every job in the
store. Derek is a junior at Trinity High, makes
high grades, and balances a 30-hour week at
Spring Creek with his position as receiver on
his school’s varsity football team. Jeff and
Brandon say they are very lucky to have him on
the Spring Creek team.
Ashton’s Store Partner David Bolduc says that
she is a great employee who always arrives early
with a smile on her face. She knows all store
positions, helps train new employees and is always willing to stay late or work an extra shift.
Ashton is extremely courteous to guests, calling
many by name. At Poteet High, where she is a
senior, Ashton makes high grades and plays on
the soccer team. David says he’s happy to announce that she has just been named a Spring
Creek Associate Manager.
Around the
Community...
In the News
Our company’s restaurants have recently received
some outstanding recognition in the news and in
the community!
Fort Worth’s Mexican Inns were voted “Best
Tex-Mex under $10” by the readers of Fort
Worth Weekly. This is the second year in a
row that the restaurants have received this
vote of confidence!
Mexican Inn Lancaster Avenue was named
“Business of the Year” by the East Fort Worth
Business Association. This important community organization cited the restaurant’s
beautiful new building and continued excellent food and service as reasons for the award.
Spring Creek Mansfield and Mexican
Inn Mansfield were both honored by the
Mansfield News-Mirror readers poll. Mexican
Inn was named the best place to go for TexMex, and Spring Creek actually received two
awards, for best barbeque and best buffet.
Our brand new Spring Creek Humble
location received some great pre-opening
publicity when The Tribune published an
article about Spring Creek’s excellent food
and customer service, complete with a photo
of our building.
Finally, Spring Creek Fort Worth received
a “thumbs up” in the Star-Telegram, because
when one of our managers found a wallet full
of money several weeks ago, he called our
guest and returned her property. She was
extremely grateful and wrote to the newspaper. While the Star-Telegram did not name
the manager, The Sauce thanks Store Partner
Mike Killian, for representing Spring Creek
so well!
In Fond Memory
Merleann Money
We at Spring Creek Companies mourn the loss
of Merleann Money, who fought a long and
courageous battle against cancer, and passed
away on February 4. Our sympathies are with
her husband Tommy, daughter April, family
and friends. Merleann was loved by everyone
who knew her, and she is greatly missed.
Elsa Hernandez
Spring Creek Companies is also saddened by
the loss of Elsa Hernandez, long time employee
at Spring Creek Barbeque Arlington. Store
Partner David Grissom says she had a wonderful personality, and customers looked forward
to her smile at the end of the serving line. She
is truly missed by both customers and co-workers alike.
Pictured above is the building that houses the new corporate office for Spring Creek Companies. Owner
Chris Carroll says, “We’re very proud of our new headquarters, and everyone is enjoying the attractive
surroundings. More importantly, it is arranged to allow us to better serve the needs of our restaurants.”
The new office is located at 2340 West Interstate 20, Suite 100, in Arlington.
Congratulations!
To Spring Creek Burleson Store Partner Shane
Morgan and Tammy Anders, who were
married on April 16.
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Baby Girl, TAKE YOUR BOW!
Bethany
Ann
McGowty
Avery
Kay
Burkham
Avery is the new daughter of Shady Oak Director of Operations Gary
Burkham and his wife
Katy. Born on January 29, Avery weighed 7
pounds, 5 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long.
Bethany, born on October 12, 2006, is the
new daughter of Spring
Creek DeSoto Manager
John McGowty and his wife Amanda. She
weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces and was 18 1/4
inches long.
Ella
Grace
Myers
Sydney
Francis
Dobbs
Sydney was born on
January 6 to Shady Oak
Fossil Creek Store Partner Chris Dobbs and
his wife Stephanie. She weighed 7 pounds, 3
ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long.
Ella was born on
November 8, 2006, to
Spring Creek Richardson Dual Role Store
Partner Gary Myers and his wife Nanette. She
weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces and was 18 inches
long.
Elizabeth
Jeanine
Ullman
Kirstin
Mikal
Johnson
Kirsten is the new
daughter of Spring
Creek Keller Manager
Curtis Johnson and his
wife, Roshunda. Born on March 30, Kirstin
weighed 8 lbs, 12 oz. and was 22 inches long.
Elizabeth is the new
daughter of Spring
Creek Addison Manager
Robert Ullman and his
wife Chelly. Born on February 23, Elizabeth
weighed 8 lbs, 1 oz. and was 19 3/4 inches
long.
Mexican Inn shares
homecoming
celebration
On Wednesday night, April 25, the news was
full of the homecoming of a group of U.S. soldiers on their way to the Metroplex from Iraq.
These members of the 14th Marine
Regiment from the Naval Air station in Fort
Worth enjoyed the last leg of their journey
on Mark Cuban’s private jet, and when they
landed, they were met with a grand celebration.
Guests that evening at Mexican Inn Mansfield
enjoyed a continuation of the celebration
when two of the returning soldiers, the Orton
brothers, and a dozen members of their family
arrived for dinner. Training Director LeAnn
Holly said, “There was a very special feeling in
the restaurant that night. When we brought
out the cake that the family provided, our staff
sang a welcome home song, and all our customers cheered. Everyone offered the Ortons
their thanks and good wishes all evening long.”
Then, when it was time for the local news,
everyone packed the Mexican Inn bar and
cheered some more as the news reports told
the story of a very good day for some brave
American soldiers.
Suburban Mexican Inns hold two contests
Congratulations to the winners of two competitions held at the suburban Mexican Inns!
The Ultimate Server Competition
The Ultimate Server Competition involved all areas of
customer service, from menu knowledge to interaction with
customers. This contest was won at the store level by the
Mexican Inn Arlington team, and in the individual category
by Christian Lopez of Bedford.
Pictured below are the four finalists.
The BOH Elite Skills Competition
The Back of the House Elite Skills Competition challenged the
participants regarding accuracy, plate presentation and speed. Finalists
were named in the categories of Best Presentation, Most Accurate and
Fastest. Among the winners in the Grand Champion category were
Fernando Martinez, Ever Lozano and Porfirio Sanchez.
Grand Champions in
the Management Division and winners in the
Fastest category are (left
to right) Ever Lozano
and Porfirio Sanchez.
Grand Champion in
the Cook Division
Fernando Martinez
displays his trophy.
Ultimate Server finalists are Heather Kipker of Mansfield, Nate Brown of Arlington, Christian Lopez of
Bedford and Heath Noles of Burleson.
Robert Hubbard (center) congratulates Gregorio Mojica (left) and
Alfonso Salais (right), finalists and
winners in the Most Accurate category.
Finalist and
winner in the
Best Presentation
category is Irma
Ignacio.
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A Line-up of Openings
SPRING CREEK BARBEQUE-FRISCO
Opening a restaurant during the busy Christmas holiday season (last December 16) may not by the easiest thing to do, but it certainly got Spring
Creek Frisco off to a busy start. To compound the excitement, the Frisco
store is adjacent to Stonebriar Mall and attracted area shoppers from the
start. To the credit of the management team, the store is still extremely
busy! The grand opening team members are pictured from left: Howard
Merritt, Store Partner Michael Moszak, Manager Brian Orozco and #2
Manager Reggie Barber.
SPRING CREEK BARBEQUE-LITTLE YORK
This store introduced the people of Houston to the Spring Creek way of providing great
food and customer service! After the store’s opening on January 29, it quickly became a
local favorite. See page 1 for a photo of the entire grand opening team.
MEXICAN INN CAFE-LAKE WORTH
This beautiful store opened on February 15, bringing cheers from the
many area residents who were familiar with the Mexican Inns and
couldn’t wait to have a location in their neighborhood. They have given
the restaurant a great vote of confidence! Pictured from left to right are
members of the grand opening team: Manager Juan Copado, Candida
Castro, Diane Aguilera, #2 Manager Ivone Galindo, Area Manager
Cristi Dewveall, General Manager Ben Flores, Manager Memo Benitez
and Director of Operations Robert Hubbard. Not pictured are Dan
Lopez, Eric Manjarrez, LeAnn Holly, and Angel Figueroa.
SPRING CREEK BARBEQUE-HUMBLE
Following the tradition of our first Houston-area store, this
restaurant opened on April 16 to great local interest about what
Spring Creek is all about. The reviews have been wonderful,
and our guests have created long lines at the new store. The
entire grand opening team is pictured to the left.
SAUCE CONTRIBUTORS
Greg T. Hall
Editor
Becky Carroll
Writer
Kevin Guyton
Art Director
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