While it was Stephen Boyd who sat with his wife, Michele, at a table with other franchise owners on Franchise Appreciation Day, it’s his employees that Boyd credits for his Franchisee of the Year award.
Boyd, owner of the Tedeschi Food Shop near the Plymouth Airport, was honored with the International Franchise Association’s Franchisee of the Year award in Washington, D.C. in September.
Of Boyd’s four valued employees, two worked at the Tedeschi’s on South Meadow Road before he took ownership, one started a week after he began operating the franchise, and the fourth has been with him for five years. He said they watch his back and help keep the store going seven days a week.
“They are the best group around,” he said. “We’re like a family. They are all top notch.”
Boyd took ownership of the Plymouth store in August 2003. Ten years earlier he had been chosen to be one of the first few Tedeschi’s franchise owners as part of a pilot program and took ownership of the Hull store. He considers himself lucky to have had the opportunity.
“When I turned 40, I thought, it’s time to make a change,” he said.
Boyd worked for Purity Supreme supermarkets for 24 years after college, the last seven as a store manager, before joining Tedeschi’s. It was while helping the former Tedeschi Food Shops-owned Angelos supermarket become Purity Supreme that he first worked with the people at Tedeschi’s.
Boyd said he feels he has a real partnership with Tedeschi Food Shops. He said it’s a real family-run business.
“They are absolutely a great outfit to work with,” he said. “When I need something, they’re right there to help out.”
The Plymouth store, located closer to the airport until three years ago when Tedeschi’s teamed up with Dunkin’ Donuts, was his first choice back in 1993 because he lives just five minutes away. He was excited to get the call that he could make the change. For three of the last five years he has received the Tedeschi’s presidents award for owning a successful franchise.
Boyd said he has met a lot of nice people through his business. It’s the people that make the job fun., he said, and he enjoys starting off the morning greeting and chatting with the regulars.
“I enjoy the customers,” he said. “That’s the contact I like.”
Boyd isn’t sure who nominated him for the international award, but to receive it he first had to earn the New England Convenience Store Association’s award for top independent franchise owner. From a list of 35 stores, it came down to two finalists. He went through five interviews and several unannounced spot checks before being selected.
“It really was a nice honor to be chosen,” he said.
The international award was icing on the cake. He enjoyed the two days in Washington, D.C., with his wife and getting to share ideas with other franchise owners at the awards dinner and banquet.
“The international one is, needless to say, a very nice award to get,” he said.
Boyd said it’s an excellent time in his life. He’s been recognized by an international business organization and his family has found success in their chosen fields as well. His son, Shawn, owns Custom Detail in Plymouth,. His daughter, Melissa, works in child care at Magic Dragon in Duxbury. And Melissa’s husband, Liam Dorsey, owns Stone Creations in Plymouth.
Then there’s his granddaughter, Mya (Shawn’s child). He takes Wednesdays off to spend the day with her.
It hasn’t been an easy business, but he said it’s nice to have the flexibility in his schedule to be able to spend time with family.