Pizza Ranch owners dedicated to serving community

Kevin Boon was just 14 years old when he started working at a Pizza Ranch restaurant in Waupun, a chain restaurant with more than 200 stores in the Midwest. 

“It was my second job, actually,” Boon said. “But once I started working there, I never looked back.”

Throughout college, Boon continued working there. He met his wife, Jessica, when she was going to college and working at the Fond du Lac Pizza Ranch location. They fell in love with each other and the company that has been the focus of their careers.

For a combined 25-plus years, the couple managed Pizza Ranch stores. In 2017, that passion became a desire for ownership.

“Jessica and I ran stores in management for years, and realized that because we loved doing it that much, we might as well take the next step and become owners,” Kevin Boon said. 

The opportunity presented itself, and they became partners with Todd and Lori Henschel, who owned the Green Bay and Oshkosh locations. Boon said the partnership brought together a variety of skills that resulted in a strong management team. 

The partners share the vision and outward focus of the franchise founder. Not only do franchisees commit to giving guests a “legendary” experience, they also are committed to service in their communities.

“We are here to make a difference and impact the world in a positive way. It is about creating that kind of culture in everything we do,” Kevin Boon said.

The “giving back” includes a community room that is offered free to groups, support of local sports teams, working closely with schools and having almost weekly community impact nights.

The community impact nights held on Mondays and a few Wednesdays, are so popular that the calendar for 2018 was filled in a few days after it opened in August. 

“We donate 10 percent of sales and all of the tips to the nonprofit," Kevin Boon said. "They are responsible for clearing tables, delivering pizza and doing some minor cleaning. They set up a table in the front to interact with customers and explain why they are there and why they are raising funds.”

About six weeks prior to the event, the marketing manager coordinates with the groups and gives marketing ideas. The groups — school clubs, scouting organizations, churches, nonprofits and benefits — take the ideas and promote the event knowing that the greater the turnout, the more money they will raise. 

Throughout the night, the Pizza Ranch team is in constant communication to assure the success of the event.

“We ask for feedback and ask, ‘How did it go? Do you enjoy yourselves? Did you make what you anticipated?’” Boon said.

Every year, thousands of dollars are donated from impact nights. But giving doesn’t stop there.

“If someone comes to us and asks for something for a benefit, we usually help out whether it is food or coupons," Kevin Boon said. W"e work closely with schools, donate food for blood drives and do some out of the box things.”

Special Christmas projects have included sponsoring a playroom for a local women’s shelter and aiding families through the Salvation Army.

The franchise encourages service and features examples on the website, www.pizzaranchserves.com.  The site includes a Monday through Friday weekly inspiration/devotional written by Pizza Ranch Restaurant Support Center staff members. Franchise owners are encouraged through blogs and the service of others with examples of how other franchisees are serving their communities.

For further encouragement, franchisees get together on a regular basis to share ideas and build relationships. They adhere to the vision statement, “To glorify God by positively impacting the world.”

“Many companies have a vision and mission statement, but we are really proud of ours,” Boon said. “When guests come in, we want them to feel that there is something special about our place. We are all about serving the community.”

Tina Dettman-Bielefeldt is co-owner of DB Commercial Real Estate in Green Bay and past district director for SCORE, Wisconsin.