#PuckettsLove(s): Autumn Friese

This is the final installment of our employee spotlight series we’ve run this week in conjunction with the Nashville Downtown Partnership’s Employee Appreciation Week. It has been our privilege to brag on these amazing employees, and we hope you have enjoyed learning a little more about the people behind our fantastic company!

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(L-R) Autumn Friese, Claire Crowell, Rachel Layton at the 2016 Greater Nashville Hospitality Association Awards

As General Manager, Autumn Friese keeps Puckett’s 5th & Church running smoothly, even in the midst of all the hustle and bustle that comes with being located downtown. In fact, she’s the best manager around. It’s true–she’s got the award to prove it!

In June 2016, Autumn was named “Restaurant Manager of the Year” at the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association Stars of the Industry Awards.

No stranger to the restaurant business, Autumn spent her summers working in her mother’s restaurant in Northern Michigan, learning the ins-and-outs of the business.

However (lucky for us!), she didn’t see herself staying in Michigan forever. After several visits to Nashville, Autumn fell in love with the city. In 2006, she packed her bags and made it her home.

Before finding her way to Puckett’s, Autumn was a server/bartender and then a manager at Ruby Tuesday in Murfreesboro. After five years with the restaurant, a friend introduced her to Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant when it first opened in Nashville.

“I was fortunate to have her as my assistant manager when we opened, but it was obvious she deserved to be the GM when the time came,” said Claire Marshall Crowell, former general manager of Puckett’s 5th & Church and current chief operating office for A. Marshall Family Foods Inc. “She shows great devotion to her staff, and they return the same loyalty to her.”

In Autumn’s opinion, AMFF provides a sense of family that makes them stand out from the rest.

“A. Marshall is different because of the close relationships you develop,” Autumn said. “You are not a number. They care about you and also like your input on how the business can grow, develop and run.”

Autumn has now been with the restaurant for six years, and says she loves working downtown.

“I love how it is full of life. You meet people from everywhere,” she said. “Nashville has so much to offer and it is great to be apart of such a growing city.”

In her opinion, Nashville locals are the best around.

“People here care about the community and are constantly looking for ways to make the city better.”

Like many AMFF team members, she says the highlight of her job are the people she gets to work with every day.

“It makes my day getting to know the staff and how different everyone is,” she said. “Everyone has something going outside of work, and it’s great to hear what they are passionate about.”

When she isn’t working, Autumn likes to spend her spare time outdoors with her husband–working in the garden, mowing the lawn or simply hanging out.

We are lucky to have you in our AMFF family, Autumn! Thanks so much for all you do!