Islander recognized as Wendy’s ‘best of the best’ Top GMs

For 30 years, Gaylene Weavers has made it her number-one priority to put her customers first.

Weavers, a general manager with D.P. Murphy Inc. in Charlottetown, was recently recognized by the Wendy’s Company as a Top 200 GM in its global restaurant system for 2017.

Not only was Weavers on the top 200 list, she was also named one of only 10 individuals selected as the “best of the best.”

Weavers is able to prioritize her customers by staying consistent in her restaurant management approach, which includes creating an operating plan for each day, coaching her teams to do their best and starting every day with a smile.

She can often be found in the dining room because she is dedicated to creating an inviting atmosphere and enjoys interacting with her customers. The 10 Wendy’s GMs selected as the “best of the best”:

- Gaylene Weavers, Charlottetown

- Renee O’Neal, Grayson, KY - Mary Washington, Lincoln Park, MI

- Agustin Sanchez, Garland, TX - Brandi Adams, Philadelphia, MS

- Robin Eineke, Elgin, IL

- Joseph Flynn, Dickson City, PA - Cassie Aguilar, Lost Hills, CA - Phuong Sloan, Jacksonville, FL - Rachid Oubaha, Salem, MA

For her, Wendy’s is family, which made it even more special that her daughter, Cassie Weavers, was also recognized as a Top 200 GM.

The Wendy’s Company announced April 30 the 200 outstanding general managers who were recognized at the Wendy’s Restaurant Support Center last week for their leadership, performance, dedication and continuing service to the Wendy’s brand.

The recognized general managers represent the top three per cent of the Wendy’s system.

Bob Wright, executive vicepresident, chief operations officer and international, said part of what makes Wendy’s a great place to work is the “rich heritage and family culture.”

“Wendy’s general managers set the tone for operational excellence, inspire and develop others and create an environment that delights every customer,” he said. “These leaders live our brand purpose of creating joy and opportunity through food, family and community by cultivating a positive restaurant environment.”

The Wendy’s system is 95 per cent franchisee owned and operated, and general managers from the entire Wendy’s global network of more than 6,600 restaurants were evaluated against set criteria, such as customer satisfaction scores and customer count growth.

A total of 530 general managers met the initial criteria and the top 200 were selected by a committee comprised of franchisee and company leadership.

The top 200 general managers were comprised of 175 from the United States, 15 from Canada and 10 from other international restaurant locations.

The average tenure of the Wendy’s Top 200 GMs is 15 years, and more than 50 have been with the brand for 20 years.

With general managers originally from 29 different countries, from the Bahamas to Venezuela, making up the top 200, these individuals are a testament to the opportunities available at Wendy’s and in the restaurant industry, where people can gain important skills and advance through their own hard work, initiative and abilities.