Falls Hardee’s is named the national franchise of the year, By TOM LAVENTURE, Staff Writer

Hardee’s Food Systems named the International Falls restaurant as the Franchisee of the Year for 2007.
Dave and Cindy Peterson, owners, received the honor for stellar performance April 22 from Hardee’s CEO Andy Puzder at the company’s annual franchisee meeting and banquet in Saint Louis. 

Hardee's Food Systems has 3,067 franchised restaurants in 42 states and 13 countries, including 1,141 Carl’s Jr. restaurants and 1,926 Hardee’s restaurants. 

“The employees are pretty proud of the award, just as we are,” said Dave Peterson of his 32 workers and managers. “If you don’t have good employees then you can’t run a good business. This whole award is a good reflection of good service.”

Peterson says that he “loves to talk about two things: Rainy Lake and Hardee’s.” He said he is pleased that the award will bring positive recognition on the Falls community. 

“If I wake up in the morning and look forward to coming to work, then that is a huge plus, and I love coming to work,” he added. 

Michelle Schleis, a Hardees franchise business consultant, works with the Petersons on policies and procedures. She described the national award criteria as a combination of management, quality assurance, operational assessments and customer comments. They were also judged on entrepreneurial spirit, vision, dedication, teamwork, workshop attendance, leadership and EcoSure audits, which amounts to an extensive health inspection. 

Peterson ranked first in five categories as a single unit owner franchise. The other two winner categories were for owners of two to seven restaurants, which went to Oshkosh Restaurants; and for eight or more restaurants, which went to MRG Management in Brooklyn Park. 

The Petersons create a very welcoming atmosphere and are very respectful of guests and staff, said Schleis, who is based in Green Bay, Wis., and responsible for 42 Hardee’s stores in northern Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. She said it’s amazing that they could win the top franchise award in just their second full year of business. 

“Dave is easy to work with and always does the right thing,” said Schleis. “We are lucky to have him.” 

The Petersons are part owners with Jason and Michelle Hamre, owners of the Hibbing Hardee’s. Peterson mentored under Hamre’s father. Their business partnership, Pete-Hamm, was also recognized for an annual earnings award. 

“Were proud of Dave,” said Suzi Allison, Hibbing Hardee’s manager. “He’s a good guy. I recall that he was very excited to get the award when he called to tell Jason.”

You could say Hardee’s is in Dave Peterson’s blood. He began as an employee at the original Falls Hardees in 1981. He worked his way up to manager while studying business management at Bemidji State University, and attended a Hardee’s management training school. 

Peterson left Hardees in 1997 when it came under new management. When the store closed in 2000, he recalls that people encouraged him to reopen as the owner. He approached his partners and Mike Katrin, president of Border State Bank, who liked the idea and helped with the business plan. 

Katrin said the Petersons are very deserving of the national recognition. In frequenting the business, he notices the consistently good food, outstanding customer service, cleanliness, and the low turnover of staff. 

“We appreciate their investment in our community,” said Katrin. “They are outstanding, caring, and giving people, and we are fortunate they call I Falls home.”

Several of the original Hardee’s staff chose to return with the Petersons. They recall the 2005 grand opening as “one of the biggest in Hardee’s history.” 

For his part in bringing Hardee’s back to the Falls, Peterson was named Entrepreneur of the Year for 2006 by the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We are just so proud of Dave and his excellent crew,” said Betsy Jensen, president, Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. “They do epitomize customer service at Hardee’s. It is so wonderful to work with them.” 

At Hardee’s Lisa Strong leads an assistant management team that includes Marcia Ohlquist, William Wolden, Chris Anderson and Sheila Steinbach. The two crew leaders are Penny Harris and Paul Werdier. Around 40 percent of the employees are college or high school students. 

“The environment starts with managers,” said Peterson. “They train effectively and there is a trickle down effect.” 

Strong said Peterson has an excellent crew in part because he really cares and puts in a lot of hours himself. She said he is accessible with an open door policy, and that he encourages employees to bring ideas. 

“He is an excellent boss,” said Strong. “He cares about us.” 

Peterson says good managers are not afraid to tell people they did a good job. They also want employees who go out of their way to be friendly. 

“You can’t teach nice,” he added. 

When employees enjoy their job and have fun, then that means low turnover, which is rare in fast food, he added.
Peterson said the business has had less than five complaints since it reopened in 2005. 

“We’re human and if we screw up then we are going to make it right,” Peterson said.

“…It is our hope that all of our owners and operators are inspired and motivated by these great achievements, and will continue to help lead us toward successful 2008,” said Michael Murphy, executive vice president, Franchising and General Counsel of CKE Restaurants.