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K&N Management wins Texas excellence awardK&N Management wins Texas excellence award

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

April 5, 2010

2 Min Read
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Ron Ruggless

AUSTIN Texas The creator of the three-unit Mighty Fine Burgers concept has become the first restaurant company to earn the Texas Award for Performance Excellence, the state's version of the federal Baldrige excellence award.

Austin-based K&N Management, which opened its first Mighty Fine Burgers, Fries & Shakes in 2007, also is the franchisee of four Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q units. The company is owned by Brian Nolen and Ken Schiller.

The Texas Award for Performance Excellence, also known as TAPE, honors role-model businesses that demonstrate exceptional performance in management including leadership, customer service, work force focus, process management, data analysis, business results and strategic planning. The award, which is handed out by the nonprofit Quality Texas Foundation, was created in 1993 by then-Gov. Ann Richards.

“This recognition is extremely important to K&N Management because it affirms our 10-year journey towards achieving a world-class level of excellence,” Schiller said. “Being regarded as the first restaurant group to receive the TAPE Award is the highlight of my professional career. It is a testament to the quality of individuals that make up our organization.”

Applying the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria in order to apply for the TAPE honor is a process that began with a 50-page application submitted by K&N Management. Then, a team of eight certified examiners conducted a comprehensive site visit, spending four days verifying every aspect of the application and assessing K&N’s quality approach and processes.

Many recipients of the TAPE have gone on to win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s highest presidential honor for organizational innovation and performance excellence. Named after Malcolm Baldrige, the nation's 26th secretary of commerce, the Baldrige Award was established by Congress in 1987 to enhance the competitiveness and performance of U.S. businesses.

K&N Management will accept its award during the 17th annual Quality Texas Awards and Quest for Excellence Conference, to be held June 7-8 in Rockwall, Texas.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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