Take a multigenerational family-owned business — one that hires nice people from the Midwest who generally come predisposed with a customer-centric, friendly attitude and a strong work ethic. Combine that company with some progressive management ideas promoting company-wide transparency, entrepreneurship and empowering employees throughout the organization with the authority and resources to make sure the customer is always satisfied. What do you think you’d get?

Well, you might end up with a company that looks a lot like FE&S’ 2018 Dealer of the Year: The Boelter Companies.

You will enjoy reading this compelling story of organic growth. With Eric Boelter at the helm, The Boelter Companies’ foodservice operations continue to enjoy a great run of sustained growth and steady expansion.

We look forward to honoring The Boelter Companies and all of FE&S’ 2018 award winners during the Dealer of the Year and Industry Awards Gala, which will take place May 21 at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. For those unable to attend, we will provide up-to-the-minute coverage on social media. Look for a pictorial recap in an upcoming edition of FE&S and you can watch video of all the acceptance speeches online at fesdealeroftheyear.com.

Again, congratulations to all the award winners ... it should be a special night.