Each year when October rolls around, it brings with it the chill of fall air and the warm spirit of celebration for our employee-owners at Dennis Food Service! ESOP month is a special time for us as we highlight and share the value of being an employee-owner. But before we dive into the festivities, let’s take a moment to understand why ESOPs are so unique and why they matter to us.

What is an ESOP?
An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is not just another retirement program. It’s a distinctive setup where employees receive company stock. This means as Dennis Food Service grows and prospers, so does the “additional retirement account” of every employee. And here’s the kicker – unlike the typical 401(k)s, our employees don’t have to spend a dime for these accounts to flourish.

But the magic of ESOP doesn’t stop there. Being an owner does wonders for one’s mindset. As owners, we all feel a genuine sense of responsibility towards the success of our company and by virute of that, to our customers as well.. This ownership culture motivates us, enhances productivity, improves retention rates, and ensures that we always endeavor to provide top-tier service – setting the company on a path of sustained health and growth.

Did You Know?

• Retirement accounts in ESOP companies are 2.5 times higher.
• ESOP-owned companies grow 2.5 times faster than non-ESOP ones.
• When it comes to performance, benefits, and motivation, employee-owned companies stand superior.

The air at Dennis Food Service is filled with excitement as we celebrate all month long with events including an Employee Appreciation Breakfast, a Tailgate Party, and corn hole tournament. Any creatively inclined employees have a chance to shine in our upcoming Poster Contest. The stakes are high this year, with the winner getting an opportunity to represent Dennis Food Service at the national contest in June 2024. As we move through the month, we have a grand evening planned on Saturday, October 21st. The Employee-Owner Celebration is an event everyone looks forward to. It’s an evening of food, entertainment, and prizes, and an event not to be missed. During this celebration, we’ll also present our annual Dennis Difference Award to a deserving individual who was nominated by their fellow employees.

For those needing a little relaxation amid the festivities, our Massage Therapist sessions are back by popular demand. And if you can’t make it to the site, don’t fret; we have a lucky draw just for you. Nearing the end of the month, on Wednesday, October 25th, the aroma from The Black Sheep Food Truck will waft through our premises, offering delicious treats from 12:00 – 5:30 PM. And as the month concludes, anticipate delightful surprises with unexpected prizes and a special gift to commemorate our appreciation for all our employee-owners.

Through these festivities and more, we hope to cement the bond of ownership and camaraderie among all at Dennis Food Service. So, here’s to a month filled with fun, recognition, and celebration of our collective ownership spirit at Dennis Food Service. Cheers to us, the proud employee-owners!

Discover Dennis    Learn about our ESOP

The Transition to Employee Ownership

A family owned and operated business for 107 years, Dennis Paper & Food Service became the largest employee owned foodservice distributor in New England in 2015. Ron Dennis, President and Owner at the time, saw how the deep personal commitment of his employees had developed into a culture that deserved the ultimate recognition. So, he sold the company to the employees in January of 2015, and the Dennis Employee Stock Ownership Plan was formed.

Now, 8 years later, Dennis Paper & Food Service has grown to nearly 200 employees, constructed an advanced 130,000 sq-ft facility and become a shareholder in UniPro – the world’s largest foodservice cooperative. Through all the changes over the past 112 years our focus, determination and dedication to our valued customers remains the same.

“We all have a stake in the business. It gives us pride in what we do and helps us go the extra distance for our customers. It’s more than a job, it’s who I am.” – Mario Tribuzio 2019 Dennis Difference Award Winner

The Difference is People

The daily efforts of individuals and departments, the partnerships formed with our customers and a deep-rooted culture of safety unite to bring us closer everyday to our vision of being the leading foodservice distributor in New England. Underscored by a tenaciously competitive spirit, we call the magic that comes out of this synergy the Dennis Difference. Each year we recognize a Dennis Difference Award recipient who is nominated by their peers. As well as a Safety Person of the Year chosen by our operations department. These individuals go above and beyond the normal call of duty. Celebrating our companies independent spirit and employee-ownership the awards are presented annually; a recognition of employee-owners by employee-owners.

“Everything I do in my day-to-day duties to increase safety and decrease accidents not only benefits the company. But also me directly, as an employee owner.” – Ginger Shubert, Director of Risk Management

US and ESOPs

“In an ESOP you no longer work for somebody, now you’re working with everybody.” – Travis Estes, Lead Buyer

A Historic Future

The dedication to service and quality that exists at Dennis today was established 100 years ago, and will continue to thrive long into the future thanks to employee ownership. Now, more than ever, the commitment of our team to the success of our business, our customers and the foodservice industry can mean the difference between success and failure; and when you own the company failure is not an option. Dennis Paper & Food service delivers thousands of items to Maine and New Hampshire’s restaurants and food operations, convenience stores and delis, schools, institutions and many many locally owned independent businesses. We couldn’t do what we do, the way we do it, without the dedication and hard work of our employee-owners and for that we are truly thankful.

Dennis ESOP News

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