We’re celebrating anniversaries in April at Taziki’s with a little Q and A!
Meet six fabulous employees that have been with Taziki’s for 10+ years!
Tommy
Tommy celebrated his
10 year anniversary with Taziki’s
on April 8th!
Q: What position did you begin with at Taziki’s?
A: I began as a designer, but did a lot of work helping with marketing. We only had 23 stores at that time, so I also dabbled in vendor relations and really anything I could do to help grow the brand.
Q: What has motivated you to gain tenure here at Taziki’s?
A: I have a passion for the brand overall. I love Keith and what he stands for. He is such a great guy and my drive to see the brand grow comes from that. It is really nice to be proud of where you work.
Q: What is your best memory about working here?
A: The first two years I worked here, we did a collegiate marketing challenge where students from areas we had stores in would compete on who could market Taziki’s the best. We would then invite the top few teams to come to Birmingham and present their work in person to our CEO. It was so cool and lots of fun to get to interact with the students. I also really love the work we have done with the HOPE Program as well as the volunteer work we do with The Exceptional Foundation in Birmingham.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
A: I love spending time with my family. I also love to play music on the side. Fun fact- Keith and I are in the same band. .
Q: What is one thing that maybe not a lot of people know about you?
A: I have been playing the guitar and bass since I was a teenager. If you put me on any stage with an instrument I will enjoy playing and singing to the crowds all night long, but the moment you want me to speak on a stage, well that’s another story.
Q: How has the Taziki’s culture inspired your work over the last 10 years?
A: It goes back to what I said about believing in Keith and the brand. When I see the effect the employees have on him and how Taziki’s has grown out of his spirit of thankfulness, it keeps me going. I also get really inspired when I hear the story of Taziki’s and I like to think that I am aligned with its brand values. It is important to me to surround myself with people who want to inspire others through their work.
Angie
Angie celebrated her
10th anniversary with Taziki’s
on March 25th!
Q: What position did you begin with at Taziki’s?
A: I started as a cook. I then worked my way to a cashier, then shift leader, then on to an Assistant General Manager.
Q: What has motivated you to gain tenure here at Taziki’s?
A: It is definitely the people. There are a lot of people who have been here for a long time. We work as a team and we really enjoy working with each other.
Q: What is your best memory about working here?
A: Two years ago, my dad passed away and the entire Taziki’s family really surrounded me and helped me get through that rough time in my life. I will forever be grateful for that.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
A: I love to hang out with my family and friends! A lot of my friends are my coworkers so it is a lot of fun to get our families together sometimes and all have a good time.
Q: How has the Taziki’s culture inspired your work over the last 10 years?
A: The passion for people and showing that we care is definitely part of my inspiration each day. Everyone that works here has a passion for people and it shows. I love helping others and teaching others the things that I have learned. I also think it is important to show others that I started as an hourly employee, but have worked my way up, so anything is possible with Taziki’s!
Javier
Javier celebrated his
12 year anniversary with Taziki’s
on April 9th!
Q: What position did you begin with at Taziki’s?
A: I began as a morning prep person, but now I am fully in the kitchen and can work all kitchen stations.
Q: What is your best memory about working here?
A: I do not have one specific memory, all of my time here has been amazing!
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
A: I love fishing and hiking. The biggest fish I have ever caught was a bass that was right around 7 lbs!
Q: How has the Taziki’s culture inspired your work over the last 12 years?
A: That is a good question. I really enjoy embracing challenges and I love to prioritize the details. Those things really matter when creating those perfect plates for our guests.
Mellanie
Mellanie celebrated her
15 year anniversary with Taziki’s
on April 12th!
Q: What position did you begin with at Taziki’s?
A: I began as an AGM at one of our Birmingham locations. I then went on to become the company’s first ever Local Store Marketer. After that I went on to become the Director of Marketing and Catering and now I am the Director of Administration and HR.
Q: What has motivated you to gain tenure here at Taziki’s?
A: I feel like it is a family. Taziki’s is my second family. I love being a part of the growth and expansion and the direction that the brand is going. I love meeting all of the new members of the family and welcoming them with open arms.
Q: What is your best memory about working here?
A: Keith, the founder of Taziki’s, and his band played at my wedding. (So cool!)
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
A: I love to read! My favorite author is Janet Evanovich.
Q: What is one thing that maybe not a lot of people know about you?
A: I love to scuba dive! My favorite place is Belize. It was so beautiful.
Q: How has the Taziki’s culture inspired your work over the last 15 years?
A: The Taziki’s 3 C’s - Collaboration, Connection and Challenge - have been stuck to me and my time here at Taziki’s more than anything. I love collaborating with coworkers and taking on new challenges. When doing that, I get to connect with other departments and create strong bonds with a lot of these people. It has truly been so great.
Horacio & Julia
Horacio and Julia are married
and celebrated their 10th anniversary
at Taziki’s on April 19th!
Yep, they both started at Taziki’s on the same day!
Horacio
Q: What position did you begin with at Taziki’s?
A: I began in the kitchen on salads, but I now know all kitchen stations and enjoy working them all!
Q: What has motivated you to gain tenure here at Taziki’s?
A: I love the team that I work with and the management! All of them are incredible and I love working with them each day.
Q: What is your best memory about working here?
A: Two years ago, my house was hit by a tornado. Keith and the entire Taziki’s family rallied around my family and I to help us rebuild.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
A: I love spending time with my family!
Q: What is one thing that maybe not a lot of people know about you?
A: I used to work in construction- what a change! Haha!
Q: How has the Taziki’s culture inspired your work over the last 10 years?
A: I have always loved paying attention to details, so that has really played a part in my work over the years. I believe that bringing our guests the best food we possibly can begins with the details we put into it from start to finish.
Julia
Q: What position did you begin with at Taziki’s?
A: I started in the kitchen on the roll-ups station, but now know all kitchen stations!
Q: What has motivated you to gain tenure here at Taziki’s?
A: I absolutely love the work that I do and the people that I do it with!
Q: What is your best memory about working here?
A: Our HOPE employees! They make me smile everyday!
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
A: I love spending time with my kids and my husband.
Q: What is one thing that maybe not a lot of people know about you?
A: My daughters are both in karate!
Q: How has the Taziki’s culture inspired your work over the last 10 years?
A: I love paying attention to the details. I believe that even the smallest things matter. I always want the plates to go to the guests looking just like the photos they have seen.
To everyone with April anniversaries,
we appreciate your dedication and hard work.
We are so glad you have chosen to be a part of Team Tazikis!
If you know someone who is looking for a new career,
tell them to text TAZJOBS to 31063 or visit taz.jobs,
so they too, can live the good life!