2008 Woodie Awards
Central's Taco Bell receives top honors
Andrea Bartlow
Issue date: 10/6/05 Section: News
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Anna Hall, general manager of Central's Taco Bell, received her third General Manager of the Year award, along with two other recipients nationwide.
She said the success of the restaurant is largely due to the managing team she has put together, among them Belinda Seamon, opening shift manager, and Salina Herriman, closing shift manager.
"I've been lucky enough to have the best team in the nation, and we have the papers to prove it," Hall said.
In order to be eligible for the award, Taco Bell establishments have to go through a series of strict examinations and inspections.
Taco Bell inspectors check for proper food temperatures, up-to-date paperwork and good hygiene at the establishment.
Furthermore, "mystery shoppers" act as customers in order to test the level of the service given to clients, as well as the quality of the food served.
"The inspections are done randomly by surprise," Hall said. "that way [Taco Bell establishments] have to uphold excellent quality standards."
Belinda Seamon has worked with Hall for six years, having ascended to the opening shift manager position in the past year and a half.
"[Hall] is an awesome manager, and the team as a whole feels like a family," Seamon said. "I come into work enjoying what I do, happy to be here with my friends."
Salina Herriman, the closing shift manager, has worked with Hall for four years.
"I worked at another Taco Bell restaurant and didn't like the experience, so I decided to quit," Herriman said.
"[Hall] wasn't my manager, but when I told her about my resignation, she got down on her hands and knees and begged me to work for her. I had to say yes."
According to both Herriman and Seamon, it is Hall's willingness to be sympathetic that makes her such a great manager.
Hall said she considers herself lucky to work for Taco Bell and to have the chance to choose her managing team.
"[Herriman and Seamon] are the best employees I could have asked for," Hall said. "They are genuine in the way they treat the students and customers, and that makes this a great team to work for."
Every time Hall has won the General Manager of the Year award, she received an all-expense paid vacation to Hawaii, with a guest of her choice and spending money.
On her first trip she took her husband, the second year she was accompanied by Seamon and Seamon's son, and the third time, she invited Harriman along.