Les Pierce and Scott Bower are both multi-unit HoneyBaked franchisees who have quite the history with our brand. While their individual stories are certainly unique, they both illustrate perfectly the dedication and commitment that HoneyBaked inspires in franchisees.
Les Pierce Joined HoneyBaked During a Big Transition
Les owns three HoneyBaked stores in Lake Jackson, Corpus Christi, and New Braunfels, TX. His journey with the brand started about 14 years ago, when he went through franchisee training – twice!
Les’ HoneyBaked Journey
Les was ready to open up a Heavenly Ham; he had already filled out the paperwork, completed franchisee training and built out his store. But right before it was set to open, The Honey Baked Ham Co. acquired Heavenly Ham. “I thought it was great, because Honey Baked Ham had a
solid brand name. Also, Honey Baked Ham was something I grew up on personally. So, I knew the product, I knew the name, I knew the loyalty people have for it.”
A Pleasant Surprise
So, Les completed HoneyBaked franchisee training and transformed his Heavenly Ham into a HoneyBaked store. While it was certainly unexpected, Les was pleasantly surprised by what it means to be a part of a brand with such a strong legacy. “I saw it positively because of the connection that I knew the brand had with families – families making memories around the table during the holidays,” Les says. “It was something we had experienced ourselves as a family.” Our franchisees have the privilege of being a part of our customers’ fondest memories because they get to serve the World’s Best Ham, a staple of holiday and family traditions from coast to coast.
Les’ Motivations
From the beginning of his HoneyBaked journey, to now, Les continues to appreciate the impact our spiral-cut hams have on families. On top of that, our proven systems and operations make franchising with HoneyBaked as simple as possible. “One of the things that caught my attention from a franchisee perspective was the ‘kit in the box’ so to speak,” Les says. “Recognizing that I already had all of the support pieces there.”
Another reason that Les has spent more than a decade as a HoneyBaked franchisee? “It’s the consistency, the foundation of principles that are consistent in HoneyBaked that helps keep me involved with it,” Les says. “They may get updated for the times but the foundational tradition of helping people make memories remains the same.”
Scott Bower Has Been with HoneyBaked Since 1981
Scott Bower is a “HoneyBaked lifer.” Even before he began his HoneyBaked franchise journey, Scott started out working in a corporate-owned HoneyBaked store right out of college. He moved up the ranks to assistant manager, store manager and eventually, district manager.
A HoneyBaked Trailblazer
In 2000, Scott decided to open one of HoneyBaked’s first franchise stores. “There hadn’t been any franchises yet, so it was just a huge opportunity,” Scott says. After 19 years working on the corporate side, Scott knew that if anybody could open a HoneyBaked store, it would be him. And he was right!
When it was time for him to move a little closer to his hometown of Atlanta, GA, Scott came back to the corporate side to help us effectively communicate with our franchisees and help them start their stores. He has been to at least 15 HoneyBaked grand openings, serving as the right-hand-man for our new franchisees. But the life of a franchisee called to Scott; he has been back on the franchise side since 2004.
The World’s Best Ham
His appreciation for HoneyBaked products helps keep Scott dedicated to the HoneyBaked brand. “I’ve always loved the product,” Scott says. “I think primarily it’s the product that drives me. The history around it, the quality, the reputation.” HoneyBaked franchisees benefit from four different revenue streams, but the World’s Best Ham is at the core of every single one. Our product is unbeatable – and we never forget it.
The proven HoneyBaked model has also allowed Scott to improve his quality of life. “It’s certainly easier than typical restaurant or food concepts,” Scott says. “The hours, ten-to-six, are certainly not typical restaurant hours and the option of being closed on Sundays – it’s really about quality of life.”
Are you ready to be a part of a franchise with franchisee longevity? If so, reach out for more information on the HoneyBaked franchise opportunity.
