AUSTIN Texas The creator of the three-unit Mighty Fine Burgers concept has become the first restaurant company to earn the Texas Award for Performance Excellence, the state's version of the federal Baldrige excellence award.
Austin-based K&N Management, which opened its first Mighty Fine Burgers, Fries & Shakes in 2007, also is the franchisee of four Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q units. The company is owned by Brian Nolen and Ken Schiller.
The Texas Award for Performance Excellence, also known as TAPE, honors role-model businesses that demonstrate exceptional performance in management including leadership, customer service, work force focus, process management, data analysis, business results and strategic planning. The award, which is handed out by the nonprofit Quality Texas Foundation, was created in 1993 by then-Gov. Ann Richards.
“This recognition is extremely important to K&N Management because it affirms our 10-year journey towards achieving a world-class level of excellence,” Schiller said. “Being regarded as the first restaurant group to receive the TAPE Award is the highlight of my professional career. It is a testament to the quality of individuals that make up our organization.”
Applying the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria in order to apply for the TAPE honor is a process that began with a 50-page application submitted by K&N Management. Then, a team of eight certified examiners conducted a comprehensive site visit, spending four days verifying every aspect of the application and assessing K&N’s quality approach and processes.
Many recipients of the TAPE have gone on to win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s highest presidential honor for organizational innovation and performance excellence. Named after Malcolm Baldrige, the nation's 26th secretary of commerce, the Baldrige Award was established by Congress in 1987 to enhance the competitiveness and performance of U.S. businesses.
K&N Management will accept its award during the 17th annual Quality Texas Awards and Quest for Excellence Conference, to be held June 7-8 in Rockwall, Texas.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].