We’re highlighting our hard-working employee owners! Meet Anthony Slauenwhite.

Anthony has worked at Dennis Food Service for ten years. As the Day warehouse Supervisor, Anthony works with all the warehouse employees to get products off the trucks and restocked in the warehouse, as well as helping get orders out throughout the day. Anthony takes a lot of pride in his job, ensuring he is building positive relationships with the men & women on his staff. Anthony does a lot of training for many of the new warehouse workers, from equipment safety to learning how to pick orders, and build pallets, as well as equipment and some building maintenance, and always strives to set a good example.

Anthony started at Dennis in the warehouse as a night order selector, moving around to different day positions as well, working in dry goods, as well as the freezer, or refrigerator, learning a lot about the warehouse. After a few years, he wanted to do more, and moved into the purchasing department, and learned even more about Dennis, from orders and delivery to the company as a whole. After about a year Anthony learned he missed the buzz and energy of the warehouse and wanted to do more. He was given the position of outbound logistics facilitator, doing lots of data analysis, and then this past year he moved into the day warehouse supervisor position.

When he is not at work, Anthony loves being with his family, including his pets, researching and learning more about his love for fitness, or relaxing and playing video games. His favorite food is pizza, “because you can do so much with pizza, you can do breakfast pizza, you can do cultural pizza, you can do Hawaiian pizza, you can do everything. I’d say pizza is my go-to, but it’s also the one I have to stay away from the most too.”

When it comes to working at Dennis, Anthony shares “It’s a great company to work for, a great company. They take care of their people.”

Thank you Anthony for exemplifying The Dennis Difference!

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Nominated by their fellow coworkers for demonstrating our core values, please join us in celebrating Jeff Guimond and Connor Hunt for their outstanding contributions to our team, customers, and company success!

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We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on these exceptional team members who embody the Dennis Difference. The Dennis Difference Award was established in 2015. Nominated by their peers, the Dennis Difference Award is presented to one deserving employee each year. Among several considerations, the award is voted on and honors the employee’s distinguished commitment to upholding our company values. For many there is no higher form of recognition than being recognized by one’s peers. This Award does just that – it is for employees by employees.

Jeff Guimond: New Markets Specialist
Nominated not once, but THREE times for the prestigious Dennis Difference award! Jeff’s wealth of knowledge, quick responsiveness, and dedication to finding solutions have set him apart. One of his nominators praises his role as a category buyer, managing high-volume commodities like eggs, poultry, and cheese with unmatched skill and professionalism. In the volatile world of perishables, Jeff has not only mastered his craft but has done so with a smile. His commitment to going the extra mile, ensuring special orders arrive on time, exemplifies the kind of dedication that makes us unstoppable as a company!

Connor Hunt: Class A Delivery Driver
A big round of applause for Connor Hunt, a rarity at the age of 22! His nominator describes him as hardworking, dependable, driven, and passionate–qualities that are truly exceptional in today’s workforce. Rain or shine, Connor brings a smile and the patience of a saint to his role, demonstrating a deep understanding and empathy for the challenges faced by our customers. His positive presence in our pre-delivery group texts adds a touch of humor and camaraderie to our team, making every day a joy.

Learn More About Dennis

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

A poem for our delivery drivers:

In the land of pines, where lakes and mountains meet,
Across two states, and down a hometown street,
There roam our heroes of the open road,
Delivery drivers with hearts of gold.

For an employee-owned company they ride,
Through Maine and New Hampshire far and wide,
To service schools, restaurants, and convenience stores,
Supporting local businesses through delivery doors.

From early morn, before the sun’s first light,
They rise with courage, ready for their flight,
Their hands on the wheel, their minds set on the day,
The route is mapped out, they set on their way.

Through rain, through wind, through sun, and snow,
They brave the elements wherever they go,
To bring the ingredients restaurants need,
Their mission driven by an unwavering creed.

Independent businesses, small and grand,
They serve with dedication, heart in hand,
Like kindred spirits, hardworking and true,
Their destinies entwined, as they push through.

Heavy loads they bear, their backs to strain,
Loading pallets in a refrigerated domain,
Then onto hand carts, they deftly steer,
Into the restaurants, their goal is clear.

With sweat upon their brows, they labor on,
Unloading, reloading, till the day is gone,
Each pallet and box a testament to their might,
In this world of delivery, they cast a bright light.

Though they hustle and hustle from town to town,
They’re the unsung heroes, rarely seen renowned,
That is their toil, their strength, and their grace,
They bring food and essentials to your favorite place.

So let us raise our voices and declare,
Our gratitude, simply, for how it all gets there,
It’s our drivers, and a mighty operations crew,
For in their hands we go from grow to grew.

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@dennisknowsfood

It’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. We’ve been celebrating our team all week, but we can’t thank them enough! We hope this poem captures the spirit of their hardwork and dedication! Thank you for all that you do! #truckdrivers #deliverydrivers #wholesale #deliveryheroes #foodservice #restaurantsupply #truckdriversoftiktok #operations #maine #newhampshire #appreciationpost

♬ soft and warm acoustic guitar(1444057) – Ogata Mamoru

Proud to be an 100% employee-owned company!

Dennis Paper & Food Service is delighted to celebrate Employee Ownership Month. The ESOP committee at the Mecaw Road location has been planning events, games and gifts for the entire month. It all began on Tuesday, October 4^th when the company’s Chef, Tim Labonte, prepared a homemade brunch for all employee-owners. The celebration continues the week of the 10^th with an ice cream social, later in the month Pompeii Pizza will be onsite with their wood-fired pizza, and the employee-owners will finish off the month with a big BBQ and appreciation gifts for all employees.

It all began in 2015

Learn more about Dennis  See Job Postings

Nominated by multiple fellow coworkers for exemplifying our core values, your commitment to the success of our company and our customers made a very big difference in 2021, and we thank you!

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Congratulations to our 2022 Dennis Difference Award Winner

The Dennis Difference Award was established in 2015. Nominated by their peers, the Dennis Difference Award is presented to one deserving employee each year. Among several considerations, the award is voted on and honors the employee’s distinguished commitment to upholding our company values. For many there is no higher form of recognition than being recognized by one’s peers. This Award does just that – it is for employees by employees.

Learn More About Dennis

We’re highlighting our hard-working employee owners! Meet Josh Henderson.

Josh has worked at Dennis Paper & Food Service for 19 years. As an Account Executive Josh works with restaurants and foodservice operations to find the right products and strategies to achieve their business goals. This includes helping customers find the best ingredients and menu strategies, food costing and margin management, and being there as a consultant and partner. Josh works with his fellow employee-owners, across all departments, to utilize all available resources and see to the success of our customers.

When he’s not at work, Josh enjoys spending his time outside. “I enjoy outdoor pursuits – camping with family and friends, fishing and hunting,” he told us. His favorite meal to eat is pizza. However, when it comes to his favorite meal to make, it’s anything on the grill. He explained that he liked cooking on the grill because, “cooking someone a steak just the way they like it makes me happy”. When asked about his favorite TV shows he said, “I’m not much of a tv watcher these days, but my wife and I are almost done watching Longmire. I have also been watching vlogs of people through hiking the Appalachian trail.”

When it comes to working at Dennis, Josh shared that his favorite part is the relationships he’s made. “The relationships with customers and coworkers made over the past 19 years is definitely what I enjoy most about my job. I truly feel that I have been blessed with the best customers a sales person could hope for and many coworkers that I count as friends.”

Thank you Josh for exemplifying The Dennis Difference!

MEET MORE OWNERS

Vice President of Sales

Dave McNally is our new Vice President of Sales. Dave brings decades of experience from a career dating back to the mid 1980’s. Dave’s food service journey began when the industry was in its infancy. He has not only seen our industry change and develop over time – he has also been part of that change.

Director of Operations

Matt Cuskelly is our new Director of Operations. In his role as Transportation Manager, Matt has proven himself a determined and effective leader.  Our company and all of us as individuals have faced real challenges over the past year. Matt has been one of the key stewards of our business during this difficult time.

Learn more about Dennis  See Job Postings

We’re highlighting our hard-working employee owners! Meet Eric Morris.

Eric has worked at Dennis Paper & Food Service for 1.5 years. His duties involve working to ensure the trucks are routed properly, and to adjust routes as new accounts are added in different areas. He also talks and works with sales to help get customers their orders in a time-window that works best for everyone. He also works with Ryder, KrisWay, and our drivers to make sure any issues with trucks or trailers are taken care of as soon as possible.

When he’s not at work, Eric enjoys golfing and being outside. “In the summer I am out golfing every chance that I get. If I am not out golfing, I am usually relaxing outside by the lake,” he told us. His favorite meal to eat is shepherds pie. When asked, he shared “Most people make fun of me for this since I have a culinary degree and have spent years in kitchens, but nothing beats a good simple Sheperd’s Pie”.

However, when it comes to his favorite meal to make, it’s pasta. He explained that he liked cooking it because, “I love to try out making different sauces as the steps are all the same, the ingredients just change”. When it comes to TV shows, he likes to watch some of the current classics, The Office and Friends. “If I am not watching sports, one of these shows is on. I think I have seen both 3-4 times from start to finish.”

When asked what his favorite thing about working at Dennis was he shared, “My favorite thing about working at Dennis is the team environment. When the pandemic started, things changed drastically, and everyone stepped up and did extra to help one another out”.

Thank you Eric for exemplifying The Dennis Difference!

MEET MORE OWNERS

We’re highlighting our hard-working employee owners! Meet Shawn Finley.

Shawn has worked at Dennis Paper & Food Service for 10 years. He started out as an overnight picker before moving to the day crew. While on the day crew he worked in many different positions around the warehouse. First at the will call window, then as a picker in many different areas and categories, to his current position as the Lead Receiving Coordinator. He primarily works in our dry receiving dock. His main duties include scheduling incoming freight, managing and receiving freight from multiple vendors and organizing product once in the warehouse.

When he’s not at work he enjoys kayaking in the summer, reading mystery novels and golfing. Shawn loves cooking and eating. “I don’t get to cook often, but I really enjoy making homemade meals.” He said his favorite meal to make is a good hearty macaroni and cheese. “Once you make homemade mac and cheese you can’t go back to the box stuff, it just tastes way better”. If you turn on his TV you’ll probably find he’s watching an older show, “I really enjoy watching older shows like Hogan’s Heroes, The A Team or the classic MacGyver”.

When asked what his favorite thing about working at Dennis was he shared, “I like the people I work with. We all get along pretty well. We’re able to share jokes and have good conversation. I like the camaraderie we all have here”.

Thank you Shawn for exemplifying The Dennis Difference!

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