by Claire Marshall Crowell
Director of Operations of A. Marshall Family Foods Inc.
Raised by the Fork
This past week we experienced an incredibly proud moment for our family business. We were one of the finalists in the Nashville Business Journal’s Best in Business Awards, in the 101-500 employees category, and attended the awards luncheon with some of our key employees on Thursday.
I want to first remark how amazing it is to me to be included at all; secondly, that we are now in the 101-500 employees category. Puckett’s started over 15 years ago with no more than 10 employees. In the last five years, that number has grown from about 50 to well over 300. It’s astounding to think about.
As we watched the videos for all the finalists, we were so impressed by the diversity and achievements of our colleagues…. But when they called A. Marshall Family Foods Inc. as the winner of the 2015 Best in Business Award, I nearly fell out of my seat.
I cannot tell you how proud I am of my father and what our business has accomplished these past few years. Even more than that though, I am so excited for what’s ahead of us [more on that here and here].
Read Andy’s NBJ profile + Q&A here, or watch their videos about him below:
The A. Marshall team, ready to celebrate!
About Claire Marshall Crowell
A Tennessee native, Claire grew up in the grocery and restaurant business: her father, Andy Marshall, owned a string of Piggly Wiggly stores before purchasing Puckett’s in Leiper’s Fork, Tenn., when she was 11 years old.
Today, Claire serves as the Director of Operations for A. Marshall Family Foods Inc. She helps manage operations of Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant locations in downtown Franklin, downtown Nashville, downtown Columbia, and downtown Chattanooga (opening spring 2015); Puckett’s Boat House in downtown Franklin; Puckett’s Trolley, the brand’s mobile food venue; Homestead Manor in Thompson Station (opening spring 2015); and Puckett’s Events & Catering.
Claire is involved in various industry and community organizations, and recently launched her own lifestyle blog: Raised by the Fork, which offers a look inside the crazy world of A. Marshall Family Foods Inc., the hospitality industry, and life as a devoted and working mother. Follow along here!