Every year, Burger King honors its top franchise owners with lavish prizes. This year, Tom Barnett, the proud owner of 24 Burger King locations in Arizona, was awarded a brand-new Corvette and a Rolex, together valued at around $60,000, for being the “Franchisee of the Year.” But instead of keeping the gifts, Barnett had other plans.
Despite the accolades, Barnett was quick to credit his team for his success, saying, “I didn’t clean the restroom last week, and I didn’t cover for a manager who called in sick. It’s my team that deserves recognition.” So, he decided to sell the car and the watch, and then double the amount by adding $60,000 of his own money to give back to his hardworking staff.
In total, Barnett distributed $120,000 to about 100 employees, with bonuses ranging from $500 to $5,000. His gesture moved many of his employees to tears.
What makes this even more significant is that Barnett’s employees tend to stick around—many for a decade or more, which is practically unheard of in the fast-food industry. One worker shared with the Arizona Republic that the news of the unexpected bonuses brought “a lot of tears” and immense gratitude.
Barnett’s decision to prioritize his team speaks volumes about the importance of recognizing and supporting the people who make success possible, especially in industries where workers often go unappreciated.
