2012 Tedeschi Food Shops
Tedeschi Celebrates in Style
Few Companies Can Match the rich tradition and deep roots Tedeschi Food Shops has planted in the convenience store industry. In business since 1923, the company’s nine decades of service in the New England market is a distinguishing feature the company wears with pride beginning with third-generation President and CEO Peter Tedeschi.
What makes the Rockland, Mass. chain truly special is that despite cementing its presence as a retail leader from generation to generation, it continues to evolve to meet and exceed customers’ expectations.
Over the past year, Tedeschi’s has transformed its retail image with a new store design, a thriving proprietary foodservice program and a growing private label food and beverage brand. Combined with a company- owned foodservice commissary and vibrant community outreach programs, Tedeschi boasts the exceptional leadership and unsurpassed customer service to which all others aspire. In recognition of its hard work, dedication to convenience retailing and its firm commitment to employees and the communities it serves, Convenience Store Decisions honored Tedeschi Food Shops as the 2012 Convenience Store Chain of the Year.
Tedeschi is the 23rd winner of this prestigious award, considered the gold standard in convenience retailing.
“Like many of our predecessors that have earned the Chain of the Year distinction, Tedeschi’s has a pas- sion for what we do at every level of our company,” Peter Tedeschi said upon accepting the award at a dinner to honor the company last month in Las Vegas. “We have created a culture committed to teamwork and collaboration, and we are focused on people, employees, business partners and our customers.”
Proud History
Tedeschi was founded nearly 90 years ago by Peter Tedeschi’s grandfather Angelo. Peter, who took the reigns as president and CEO from the fam- ily-owned business in 2008, said the company takes great pride in its past, but remains focused on the future and delivering a great retail environment for employees, franchisees and customers.
“To be considered for this award is very gratifying, but winning this award is nothing short of humbling. We have the utmost respect for our indus- try peers, and we are honored to have earned an award that has been previously presented to companies that exemplify a commitment to excellence,” Tedeschi said. “My fellow employees, management team and franchisees do whatever is necessary to make us a better company each and every day; and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to accept this award on their behalf.”
A Deserving Award
Tedeschi Food Shops is regarded as a leader in the industry in key areas such as technology, foodservice, labor management and innovation. It’s a company that truly lives by its motto “proud of our past, and focused on the future.”
Committed employees represent the heart and soul of the chain, working together in a corporate culture, based on strong family values. The company promotes an employee-centric business environment that encourages community engagement, and empowers employees to operate customer-centric stores. In the words of Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Joe Hamza, “We strive to provide our customers with a shopping experience, instead of a shopping transaction.”
While many retailers struggled in a weakened economy, the Chain of the Year award capped a busy year for Tedeschi’s. The chain tripled its capital expenditures to upgrade stores, acquire new properties, further its investment in a company-owned commissary to grow the TD’s Deli brand and continued rolling out its extensive line of proprietary products.
Legacy and Leadership
Tedeschi proudly supports a variety of educational and extracurricular programs at schools across New England, including local sports teams, drama clubs and booster clubs. The chain engages in community outreach programs like YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, and D.A.R.E., and it provides support to numerous local organizations, including Children’s Hospital of Boston.
On a National level, Tedeschi is a proud supporter of organiza- tions like Habitat for Humanity, The Jimmy Fund, Muscular Dystrophy Association, March of Dimes and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.