Local Bojangles wins second place honors
The crew at Bojangles in Jonesborough know Randy Mexin, their unit director, is serious about making their Bojangles the best.
After all, theyve seen him in action during the franchises annual evaluation and awards.
I act a little crazy during ShowBo time, Mexin admits.
Now theyre convinced of all that a little craziness can accomplish, after watching Mexin bring home a second place trophy in this years ShowBo Awards.
According to Mexin, thats no small accomplishment. The competition involves 375 restaurants and a strict criteria for judging that includes everything from gum on the parking lot to the freshness of the biscuits.
Its pretty much a secret shopper-type evaluation by people from the corporate office, Mexin said. And its really meticulous. They judge you on everything.
Restaurants are checked for cleanliness, the taste of the food and the quality of the service.
Out of 375 restaurants, 150 are selected. Then that 150 is broken down to 32.
The top 32 gathered in Savannah, Georgia, this year for the finals. There, Bojangles officials announced the top 10. The top 10 is then narrowed to the prize-winning top three.
Everyone in the top 10 gets a ShowBo ring, Mexin said, showing off his ring studded with small rubies. If youre in the top 10 again, theyll replace the rubies with diamonds.
Mexin said he was not surprised to be listed in the top 10 because the Bojangles representatives had already asked for his ring size. But he had no idea where he fell among those top 10 contestants.
They got all the top 10 people on the stage and you didnt really know your standing, Mexin recalled. They started calling names and, honestly, I thought I was going to be in 10th place.
The woman said This is this young mans first time in being a part of the top 10. Please give a round of applause. . . and I actually stood up.
Mexin said he quickly sat back down when another name was announced.
After about the fifth name, my heart started beating out of my chest, he said. I didnt think in a million years little Jonesborough had gotten in the top three.
My heart is just racing. They called out another name and then said, Please congratulate the top three stores.
Mexin now knew little Jonesborough had made it to the top three.
For his second place finish, he was awarded a check for $7,500. First place received a check for $10,000, while third place received $5,000.
Though the check was made out to Mexin, he elected to share the winnings with his crew.
I made a deal with them before the competition even started that I was going to split it with everybody, Mexin said. They deserve it. They worked hard every day.
We have built a family environment. I think thats something weve really strived for, he added. They all get along together. We go out of our way to help each other.
The recent honor was not something he had expected when he moved from Colorado to Tennessee to be near family in Greeneville, said the Illinois-born Mexin.
My grandparents live here and thats kind of what brought me back, Mexin said. Theyre getting older. They dont have any family besides me.
Still, Mexin said, he knew there was something about the company as soon as he was hired.
Ive worked for a lot of people, Mexin said of the Jonesborough franchise. These are the best Ive seen.
And the company itself, he said, seems to be headed in the right direction, with a strong appreciation for those representing it.
They seem to really be a great brand, Mexin said. Im really happy Ive gotten to be part of it.