(Credit: pixabay)
Burger King presents opulent awards to its top franchise owners annually. This year, Tom Barnett—the delighted owner of 24 Burger King restaurants in Arizona—was given a brand-new Corvette and a Rolex, which are estimated to be worth over $60,000—as the “Franchisee of the Year.” However, Barnett had other ideas and did not intend to keep the gifts.
Barnett was eager to give credit to his staff for his accomplishments despite the recognition, noting, “I didn’t cover for a manager who called in ill last week, and I didn’t clean the restroom. My squad is the one that merits praise.” In order to repay his diligent employees, he made the decision to sell the car and the watch and then quadruple the proceeds by contributing an additional $60,000.
Barnett gave bonuses ranging from $500 to $5,000 to roughly 100 employees, totaling a distribution of $120,000. Many of his staff members were moved to tears by his generosity.
This is made even more noteworthy by the fact that Barnett’s staff members typically stay on for ten years or longer, which is almost unheard of in the fast-food sector. An employee told the Arizona Republic that she was filled with “a lot of tears” and deep thankfulness upon learning about the unanticipated incentives.
Barnett’s choice to put his staff first illustrates how crucial it is to acknowledge and assist those who enable achievement, particularly in fields where employees frequently lack recognition
