Houchens Food Group recently unveiled a new program, the Store Manager Appreciation Awards, to recognize the work of its grocery store leadership, whom it considers its “unsung heroes.”
Consisting of 18 lunch banquets divided by region and banner, the events include individual recognition of store managers as well as a selection of other awards. In addition, a Store Manager of the Year is named.
The fourth ceremony, which was held July 17 at the Francis Lee Event Center in Clarksville, Tennessee, celebrated the Kentucky and Tennessee stores of the Food Giant North Division.
Chris Fortune of store No. 544 in Parsons, Tennessee, was named Store Manager of the Year.
The other award recipients include Colette Serrato, Perishable Merchandising Award; Jacob Shea, Safety Award; Chris Fortune, Store Manager of the Year; Tony Singleton, Leadership Award; and Bob MacAlpine, Rising Star Award.
The remainder of Houchens Food Group awards presentations will continue through November.
[RELATED: Houchens Food Group Honoring Top Store Managers]
One of the 18 honorees will be crowned HFG Store Manager of the Year during a celebration in January at the Houchens-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky. That manager could then become an IGA Retailer of the Year nominee and attend the 2025 NGA Show in Las Vegas.
For award consideration, managers are measured on sales, payroll and EBITDA. Other factors include culture, training and workforce development and community involvement.
