Freschetta® pizza goes on a ‘Great Expedition’

April 27, 2023 — Committed to meeting consumers where they are and believing everyone should have access to delicious pizza — especially pizza from their home state — our Freschetta® pizza team recently ventured out on “The Great Pizza Expedition” delivering Freschetta pizza to residents of Angle Inlet, Minnesota.

It’s a pizza delivery. What’s the big deal?

Well, due to a mapping error in the 1700s, the town of Angle Inlet ended up being surrounded on three sides by Canada, and on the fourth by a large lake. This means residents must cross the U.S.-Canadian border and back just to access the rest of Minnesota and the U.S.

“While many consumers live in a world of 'retail everywhere' with options of shopping at nearby stores and online, there is still a small percentage of folks where everyday purchases take a bit more effort,” said Brian Thompson, senior marketing manager. “The residents of Angle Inlet face this challenge every day. When there is a town of pizza lovers with limited access to groceries and frozen pizza — and the residents must cross borders to get their hands on Freschetta pizza, that deserves respect.”

For those wanting to skip the border patrol, there is one other option — Lake of the Woods, which separates Angle Inlet and the rest of Minnesota.

So, in true northern fashion, our team from Freschetta pizza got creative for this delivery as they skipped the border all together and delivered a freezer full of Freschetta pizzas over the frozen lake via a team of sled dogs.

“Hopefully we can save residents from a few border crossings, while also bringing light to this amazing destination in Minnesota,” Brian said.

The freezer of pizzas will be located at the Angle Inlet’s “The Northwest Angle Edge Riders” snowmobile club.

 

Six employees recognized with Founders’ Award

Photographed at this year's senior leadership meeting are
Dimitrios Smyrnios, left, Ron Kath, Jerry Pauley,
John Anderson, Shelly Heid, Amy Clarke and Julie Francis. Ron,
Jerry, John, Shelly, Amy and Hong Joung (not pictured) received
the Founders' Award. 

April 27, 2023 — This month in a highly emotional ceremony, six people were recognized with our company’s most prestigious honor — the Founders’ Award.

CEO Dimitrios Smyrnios and respective executive leaders made the announcements during a presentation ceremony at the company’s senior leadership meeting.

“The Founders’ Award is given to those who have exemplified our values and who represent our culture in a way that has made a positive impact on our business,” Dimitrios said. “All of our recipients were very deserving. They are leaders who’ve had an impact on our people and our company for years and decades. Their stories should serve as an inspiration to all of us.”

Recipients of this year’s award include:

• John Anderson, a Food Service regional sales manager who has been with the company for 33 years. He retired earlier this year.
• Jerry Pauley a principal project engineer who has been with the company for more than 46 years. He retired earlier this year.
• Amy Clarke, a human resources director for Consumer Brands who has served the company for 27 years.
• Ron Kath, a director of sales operations who has been with the company for 37 years.
• Shelly Heid, a senior director of product development who has been with the company for 32 years.
• Hong Joung, a vice president of engineering who has been with CJ CheilJedang's family of businesses (including Schwan's) for 35 years.

The Founders’ Award recognizes employees who demonstrate our company's principles of “Integrity, Passion, Creativity and Respect,” and whose actions help the company achieve our core value of OnlyOne (to be first, best or different in the marketplace).