There are a lot of things that make The Honey Baked Ham Co. special. Of course, there’s the World’s Best Ham. But we also have a special role in the holiday traditions of thousands of loyal HoneyBaked customers. Each holiday season, we give our all to make sure that each customer leaves with a gold foil-wrapped ham and a smile. Let us share some of our fondest HoneyBaked holiday memories – and who knows, maybe next year you’ll be making your own.
Rick Kolleth
Franchise Business Leader
My wife Diane has been a HoneyBaked wife for 30+ years – all HoneyBaked – and that means a husband that works long hours away from family during the week of the holidays. At some point, Diane decided that the only way she was going to be with me during the holidays was to use a vacation week away from the hospital where she worked and join me Christmas week at the Michigan store I managed.
I always felt one of the most important holiday positions in the store was the running, organizing and straightening of the front cooler especially in a high-volume store. Well, that is where I asked Diane to work and she did it for 6 straight years. When her front cooler duties were complete, she worked the sales counter. Then she’d go back in the cooler.
This went on all day long, all week long. Diane stayed with it all those years so we could spend a few extra hours together the week of Christmas. We have wonderful memories of working hard but working together! Normally I fall asleep around 3:00 p.m. on Christmas Day due to the long holiday hours and, for those 6 years, Diane finally understood why. Those years, she joined me in napping on Christmas afternoon!
Cindy Sutton
VP of Operations Support Services
One of my fondest memories of running a store during the holidays was when we created a festive environment for our customers. Many years ago, during my first year as a general manager, I didn’t know what to expect for the holiday experience. I had heard the lines go out the door and down the sidewalk. I decided to entertain our customers while they waited.
There was a piano store next door and they brought over one of their finest Steinways and placed it in our lobby. My niece played Christmas music during the peak days, we wore our Santa hats and made the wait enjoyable. Our customers were smiling and having a good time. That is what HoneyBaked is all about: making those special moments memorable.
Mary Anne Weigle
Senior Manager Support Systems & Technology
I’ve worked for HoneyBaked for over 20 years and there are many fond memories that I have of the holidays. One of my favorites is a seasonal associate that I hired when I was first promoted to general manager. Her name was Katie and she was looking for holiday work while she was home from college. We hit it off from the start. She was such a hard worker and was so helpful.
On Christmas Eve, Katie came in with a plate full of cookies that she and her mom had hand baked and decorated especially for me. I was so touched by this simple act of kindness and that she would think of me. HoneyBaked has always been a second family to me and I’m proud to have worked with so many wonderful people over the years. #HamFam
Make HoneyBaked Memories This Year
Now is the time to make HoneyBaked memories with your family and loved ones. This holiday season, keep your eyes (and ears!) peeled for HoneyBaked’s newest ad campaign: “It’s No HoneyBaked” on TV, radio, social media and digital platforms. Because, as we know, there is only one Honey Baked Ham. If you are looking to bring the World’s Best Ham home to your family, you can also find your nearest HoneyBaked store for a taste of what you can bring to your own neighborhood.
