A Lifetime in Foodservice

From VANEEpedia

“I’ve always wanted to work in the foodservice industry. Always. It’s in my blood for some crazy reason.” Cindy Penny was the first in her family to work in the foodservice industry when she began working at a fast food restaurant in hometown Dayton, OH. Since, Penny has been hooked. While studying Business Management at the University of Dayton, Penny worked for Marriott Hotels “in every foodservice position.” She started out as a restaurant supervisor and was continually promoted, eventually to the opening task force. ”My favorite location I helped open was the Mariott in Times Square,” she recalled. Tired of the 75 hour work weeks, she took a position with Southern Foodservice Management in Birmingham, doing “contract foodservice for B&I accounts for 10 years.” Penny is now a Broker Sales Agent at T.W. Wilson & Son. Alabama Manager Alan Gordon says she is “extremely talented and hard working” and that both manufacturers and distributors have given her recognition for her work. Penny is a mother who is married to a Chef “who loves Vanee’s Deluxe Boned Chicken.” Q:How did you discover the broker business? A: I found out about the brokerage business from my Sysco salesperson. I was buying from Sysco as a customer, and she knew of a broker that was hiring. Once I found out about it, I was like “I wish I would have known about this earlier!” Q: You’ve been with T.W Wilson & Son for ten years. How do you feel about your job now? A: I love that we don’t have employees working under us, that we don’t depend on people who can call in sick, etc. I love the professionalism of it but how at the same time your hands are still in the business. Q:What in your job are you passionate about? A:Planning and executing different events. I’m one of those weird people who likes foodshows. My heart has always been on the operator side of the business: I like the front of the house work, customer service and taking care of customers. I like the pressure. Q:What changes are you seeing in the business? A: Customer attendance is down at foodshows - manufacturers and distributors don’t have the money they once did to spend on marketing. ... I worry about the small and independent businesses. At both ends of the spectrum, people are hurting. Q: How are brokers adjusting? A:Brokers are having to tighten their belts – work smarter, plan their days better. We used to run all over the street, and although we’re still out there, we’re a lot more conscious of samples and being good stewards of our manufactures’ money. We’re all in it together. What’s happening with the economy is creating some changes that are not all bad. Q:What is the biggest challenge in selling Vanee products? A:You definitely have to sell the product by explaining how to use it, by breaking it down to per-portion cost, selling the uses and trying to get them to sell out of the can. Think of all of the products as ingredients. Q:Any thoughts on your employer? A: I love them. If our politicians would meet small business owners like the Wilsons they wouldn’t want to tax them higher. I’ve worked with big corporations and there’s no comparison to working with a smaller family owned-business. My perception of Vanee Foods is that it’s the same way.