We’re celebrating November anniversaries with a little Q and A!
Meet four wonderful employees that have been with Taziki’s for 10+ years!
Raul
Raul celebrated his
20 year anniversary with Taziki’s
on November 18th!
Q: What position did you begin with at Taziki’s?
A: I started as a prep guy at our Mountain Brook store, then advanced to other positions in the kitchen. After that I became a manager at our Lee Branch location and worked side by side with Keith. Back then there were no recipe screens or anything like what we have now. We had to memorize everything! It was then that I saw the possibility of opening more stores. I talked to Keith about learning to be the Assistant General manager and then General Manger. Keith needed me to open stores, so I moved into training and began doing just that. I knew Keith cared because of how he treated us. We worked for each other and now we are operating partners. I am an Owner / Operator in Alabama.
Q: What has motivated you to gain tenure here at Taziki’s?
A: Keith. He always cared about me. He has always been there for me and I will always appreciate him for that. We have created a tight friendship and call each other brothers. I care about him a lot and I will also always be there for him. It truly feels like family here.
Q: What is your best memory about working here?
A: There are so many times, honestly. It is hard to pick just one. There was one day when I was talking to Keith and he made me feel like a hero. I will always remember that moment. Also, in the beginning there were only 3 stores and our holiday parties were all together. Keith’s parents used to dress up as Santa and Ms. Claus and come visit the stores. It was wonderful.
Q: Do you have a best funny memory?
A: I was at the Mountain Brook location Saturday night one year when Alabama played and there was really no business. We took the grill centers out and deep cleaned them. I did not realize Keith was behind me talking and he decided to prank me. He barked like a dog, so my first reaction was to spray in the direction of the barking and I ended up spraying Keith in the face.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
A: I enjoy spending time with my family. Supporting my children to be great at whatever they do is important to me.
Q: How has the Taziki’s culture inspired your work over the last 20 years?
A: It has inspired me in every way. Everyone here cares about and respects you. I believe that is a product of Keith- it starts from the top. We all want to keep up this legacy that Keith started.
Teaira
Teaira celebrated her
10 year anniversary with Taziki’s
on November 5th!
Q: What position did you begin with at Taziki’s?
A: I started as a cashier at the Windward location when they opened. I worked in the front of house, kitchen, then on to Shift Leader, Assistant General Manager and now a General Manager!
Q: What has motivated you to gain tenure here at Taziki’s?
A: I like how the company makes you feel like family. Taziki’s always looks for feedback and asks for ideas as well. I love this company and all that leadership does to help make the organization a better place for everyone.
Q: What is your best memory about working here?
A: I worked on one of my birthdays one year and my manager at the time had some guests and team members on the patio waiting for me with cupcakes and candles. Everyone sang happy birthday. It was so sweet and I was really thankful to be remembered.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
A: Spend time with my family.
Q: What is something not a lot of people know about you?
A: I am very silly outside of work.
Q: How has the Taziki’s culture inspired your work over the last 10 years?
A: The culture has changed my mindset about a lot of things and brought me out of my shell. I have become stronger when interacting with guests and our team. It has taught me how to be aware and engaged in many situations and has helped shape my personality.
Els
Els celebrated his
11 year anniversary with Taziki’s
on November 12th!
Q: What position did you begin with at Taziki’s?
A: I started as a grill cook in Downtown Charleston, SC. I went from a grill cook to a Shift Leader, then on to Assistant General Manager. From there I became a General Manager and I am now an Owner/ Operator in Jackson, Tennessee.
Q: What has motivated you to gain tenure here at Taziki’s?
A: That's easy, the culture and the people. The people that are above me make it easy to do your job. They spread the love, so that the love gets put into the employees.They make it easy to enjoy your work.
Q: What is your best memory about working here?
A: Besides meeting my wife (we both worked at the Taziki’s in Charleston, SC). The first thing that pops to mind is one time we did a very large catering for athletes at the college in Charleston. It was like a banquet. I rolled up 1700 chicken rollups. It was crazy!
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
A: I would say hanging out with my son and working out.
Q: What is something not a lot of people know about you?
A: How mushy I am. My exterior makes people think I am a big strong rough dude, but I am really a big teddy bear.
Q: How has the Taziki’s culture inspired your work over the last 11 years?
A: The Taziki’s culture has given me more willpower. No giving up. It has made me embrace life’s challenges. Being in the Taziki’s world makes me want to go through challenges instead of going around them - not just at work, but in life overall. It has helped me deal with life in different ways. The Taziki’s culture has definitely changed me for the better. I am not the same person I was before I started working here. In order to be a good leader you have to follow one. My previous and current leaders at Taziki’s have helped get me get to where I am now.
Josefina
Josefina celebrated her
10 year anniversary with Taziki’s
on November 2nd!
Q: What position did you begin with at Taziki’s?
A: I started in the kitchen making salads. I helped open the Alpharetta location in Atlanta and have been here ever since. Raul from corporate was the one who encouraged me to learn all that I could. I started 3 weeks before the location opened.
Q: What has motivated you to gain tenure here at Taziki’s?
A: I tell everybody that I am just in love with this
place. I enjoy all of the things that I am doing. I feel fulfilled.
Q: What is your best memory about working here?
A: My best memory is when we celebrated the 1 year anniversary of this store. We had a big celebration and it felt like we were celebrating us. Everyone that had been there since the beginning. It felt really good.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
A: I love reading books, listening to music, you know just spending a little time by myself to relax.
Q: What is something not a lot of people know about you?
A: I really want everyone to succeed. I want to be the helping hand and
connect with others because I want them to do good things.
Q: How has the Taziki’s culture inspired your work over the last 10 years?
A: I think it has made me a better person at work and at home.
To all our team members celebrating november 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!