TUCSON – Feb. 10, 2011 – The National Turkey Federation (NTF) named Arby’s Richmond as the recipient of its Ninth Annual “Turkey on the Menu” (T.O.M.) Award in the “fast food category.” The award honors this chain for its volume of turkey specialty sandwiches that provide versatility across its menu. The T.O.M. Award was presented today at NTF’s Annual Convention.
“One third of their [Arby’s Richmond] menu consists of turkey items and with continued positive results, the number of turkey items could be closer to half in the near future,” said Kerry Doughty, Butterball, LLC, executive vice president of sales and marketing, who nominated Arby’s Richmond. “They understand and appreciate their customers’ affinity for a great turkey sandwich or a delicious turkey entrée.”
Accepting the award on behalf of Arby’s Richmond was Bill Lowe, president of the Restaurant Company, which operates 19 Arby’s Restaurants in the Richmond, Va.-metro area. The average unit volumes are more than two times the system’s average. The Restaurant Company has operated the highest volume Arby’s and six of the chain’s Top-10 sales leaders worldwide for the last two decades.
T.O.M. Award winners in other categories are:
Cracker Barrel – winner in the “mid-scale/casual dining category,” Cracker Barrel provides a friendly home-away-from-home in its 597 restaurants. Nominated by Butterball, LLC, this foodservice operation was chosen for its application of turkey in refreshing salads and in the traditional Turkey n’ Dressing Platter.
Henry’s Markets – winner in the “supermarket foodservice category,” Henry’s Markets, was chosen for its diverse offering of ready-made and made-to-order turkey sandwiches in the service deli. This California-based supermarket chain was nominated by Foster Farms.
Polly’s Pies – winner in the “full service category,” Polly’s Pies is a Southern California restaurant company that specializes in high-quality food made from scratch. Nominated by Foster Farms, this foodservice operation was chosen for its variety of fresh, locally grown turkey menu options.
Quiznos – winner in the “quick casual category,” Quiznos offers toasty sandwiches, fresh salads and delicious soups. Also nominated by Foster Farms, this foodservice operation was chosen for being a pioneer of the toasted turkey sandwich, along with a commitment to convenience and value.
“On behalf of NTF, it’s an honor to recognize these exemplary foodservice operations with our annual T.O.M. Award in recognition of their excellence in menuing turkey,” said Sherrie Rosenblatt, NTF’s vice president of marketing and communications.
NTF members nominated the foodservice chains that exemplify the criteria of the T.O.M. Award. Entrant applications address questions regarding turkey menu applications, the items’ consumer appeal, how the chain promotes the menu items through marketing and turkey’s food cost percentage. A panel of foodservice professionals rates the entries on consumer appeal, versatility, taste, value, and how the turkey applications benefits the chain operation. Only the winner that received the most overall points from the judges received the award at NTF’s Annual Convention.
Source: National Turkey Federation
