For his dedication, team-first mindset, and consistent displays of Houston’s Core Values, he has been recognized as KC Warehouse Employee of the Quarter for Q1.

One of the Core Values Anthony has embraced most prominently is “Be The Change.” Since he came on board with Houston’s, he has grown his skills to fit the needs of the team and workflow.

“Ant has grown a lot since the time he got hired – he has learned how to drive all equipment,” said Brenda Willett, KC Warehouse Assistant Manager.

Scoring high marks on the SPARQ wall throughout the quarter, Anthony has also made a noted impact in accuracy.

“Anthony has minimal errors picking and minimal errors in put-aways and reach truck,” Brenda said. “Anthony is a very reliable team member and is willing to do any task and does it well.”

Anthony’s dependability extends to helping other members of the team, as well. His mindset of willingness to cross-train and shift tasks as needed is a valuable asset on the KC Crew.

“Anthony is a huge team player and is willing to help out anyone in need,” said Brenda.

Houston’s customers are even taking note of the consistent positive attitude and atmosphere of teamwork within the KC Warehouse.

Steven Cramer, Owner of our customer Double Trouble LLC and Jennifer Juarez, Owner of our customer Snacks on Racks have recently gone out of their way to share their positive feedback about the work coming from the KC Team.

As a vital part of the team, Anthony works hard to uphold the reputation of teamwork, friendliness, and accuracy KC is known for.

“Anthony does a wonderful job at everything he does,” Brenda noted. “I can always count on Ant to get the job done.”

Outside of work, Anthony likes spending time with his grandson. He is also a musician and enjoys writing music in his free time.

Congratulations on this recognition, Anthony – it is well earned.

Runners up for the quarter include Deverick Webb (First Runner Up) and Jacob Cruz (Second Runner Up).

Read about our other recently recognized team members on the Houston’s Blog. 

The post KC Warehouse Employee of the Quarter Q1: Anthony Norwood appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Ken works at the CHEF’STORE in Eureka, CA. This location is known to come with some unique challenges, and in his Houston’s tenure, Ken has demonstrated that he is the ideal person for the role.

The Eureka store is a bit more remote than many others Houston’s services, and it is also located in an area of California that is subject to some unpredictable natural events, such as earthquakes.

Merchandising Manager Jaime Alaniz expressed his appreciation for Ken’s ability to uphold Houston’s standards under these conditions.

“I am appreciative to have a merchandiser like Ken who can work autonomously in a remote territory with little need for supervision,” said Jaime. “His reliability is highly valued.”

Jaime noted how Ken approaches the job as his own personal business. He recognizes areas for growth, creating opportunities for more product backstock, displays, or additional shelf space for more popular items.

“Ken asks questions frequently to ensure the job is being done correctly and is constantly looking to better his performance,” Jaime said. “He consistently makes himself readily available for the store’s needs and their customers.”

Ken’s mindset of responsibility and taking personal ownership over his duties has helped build a foundation of trust within the Houston’s Merchandising Department, as well as partnership to  CHEF’STORE leadership.

“Every time I visit, the CHEF’STORE staff expresses to me that they can count on him to do what is needed for them and their customers,” Jaime said. “He always makes himself readily available for both store staff and to help customers, beyond our Houston’s products. He understands that he is an extension of the store, and his performance supports this.”

The Eureka CHEF’STORE recently had an earthquake, which resulted in damage to a lot of products, including Houston’s items.

“You can imagine how much cleanup was needed,” Jaime noted. “The store was grateful to Ken for helping in the cleanup ­– he even bought his own high-powered vacuum to help with the cleaning.”

Ken continues to demonstrate his skills as a supportive member on the Merchandising Team.

“Ken is always ready to take on the job with a positive attitude,” Jaime said. “He continues to impress me with his work ethic on every store visit.”

Congratulations, Ken! This recognition is well earned.

Runners up for the quarter include J.C. King (First Runner Up) and Asia Huska (Second Runner Up).

Read about our other recently recognized team members on the Houston’s Blog.

The post Merchandising Employee of the Quarter Q1: Ken Branson appeared first on Houston's Blog.

As many within Houston’s and HTrans know, Teresa is our Human Resources Specialist – and she has previously worked as part of Houston’s Accounting and Accounts Payable teams. Her experience has given her a wide knowledge of Houston’s departments and people, making for an ideal role in Human Resources.

For her diligence, her ability to create connections, and her penchant for making our people feel seen & heard, Teresa has earned recognition as Wilsonville Office Employee of the Quarter for Q1.

“Teresa’s ability to foster a friendly work environment is truly commendable,” said one nominator. “Her approachability and warm nature never fail to bring smiles to everyone around her – she rapidly establishes connections and builds strong camaraderie with the team.”

Teresa’s ability to make others feel at ease has been a valuable skill, especially as there have been some transitions within the HR Team.

“HR has undergone recent changes, and Teresa has not taken a step back,” said a nominator. “She has maintained her forward momentum, demonstrating her ability to persevere regardless of the situation. She remains a committed resource for Houston’s.”

Teresa’s commitment has been noted by numerous members of Houston’s Management Team.

“Teresa takes ownership of her duties,” said another nominator. “Teresa is a great example of Houston’s culture.”

It’s evident that Teresa takes pride in her work, and upholds our Core Values in all interactions, whether internally with members of the team, or representing Houston’s to potential new hires.

“She projects a genuine desire to make Houston’s a destination workplace,” a nominator said.

Congratulations, Teresa; this recognition is well deserved.

Runners up for the quarter include Jose Sanchez (First Runner Up) and Lisa Randall (Second Runner Up).

Read about our other recently recognized team members on the Houston’s Blog.

The post Wilsonville Office Employee of the Quarter Q1: Teresa Myrie appeared first on Houston's Blog.

For these qualities and more, she has earned recognition as Wilsonville Warehouse Employee of the Month for December.

Tami works in Houston’s UPC room, where products are repackaged, relabeled, and broken down into different selling units. These processes can provide value for Houston’s and our customers in meaningful ways.

As an example, a certain type of beverage glass may come from the vendor packaged in a master case of three dozen. The UPC room may break the master case down into packs of one dozen, to offer an option for our customers who may not want or need three dozen glasses at one time.

“Tami has done an amazing job at balancing the workload in the UPC area with the resources that she has available,” said Brenda Hart, Receiving Supervisor. “She does a great job at facilitating projects for other team members.”

For the month, Tami earned a 4.71 rating on the SPARQ Wall. Brenda noted that Tami achieved a high volume of productivity while maintaining a high accuracy rate, as well.

She’s also willing and able to take on tasks outside her regular slate of UPC duties. As a team player, she has also been available to pull orders when needed over the past month.

“Tami is eager to learn, and takes the opportunities to expand her knowledge of the company,” Brenda said.

It is evident that she is focused on team and company goals, and steps in to get the job done in a responsible and thoughtful way.

Outside of work, Tami loves spending time with her children and enjoys outdoor activities, especially outings on the river.

Congratulations Tami! This recognition is well deserved.

Runners up for the month include Cesar Correa (First Runner Up) and Jose Samuel Vazquez (Second Runner Up).

Read more about our recently recognized team members on the Houston’s Blog.

The post December Wilsonville Warehouse Employee of the Month: Tami Hiyasat appeared first on Houston's Blog.

For his dedication to teamwork, flexibility, and responsibility, Izzy has earned recognition as the Wilsonville Warehouse Employee of the Month for November.

Over the past month, Izzy earned a 4.80 rating on the SPARQ Wall. Highlighting the “Q” component of SPARQ – Quality – Izzy recorded zero errors in Receiving and Auto Stocking for the month.

Taking on some Receiving Department tasks has been a recent transition for Izzy, in addition to his usual Auto Stocking work. With this shift in duties, he’s had an opportunity to display his flexibility and team-first mentality.

“In the month of October, he had the opportunity to learn the cycle count program and was a big help in getting our overflow locations counted,” said Brenda Hart, Receiving Supervisor.

Brenda also noted how Izzy’s team mindset complements his ability to be a responsible self-starter.

“He is a team player,” Brenda said. “He’s willing to help his fellow teammates without having to be asked to do so. He sees locations that need to be filled and will take it upon himself to stock them, so the pullers don’t have to wait for the product.”

Izzy’s willing attitude and flexibility have been common themes throughout transitions in workflow and team needs.

“He has been open minded about the opportunities of learning new processes,” Brenda said. “His knowledge of the product also allows him to provide good feedback when situations arise in the warehouse.”

Outside of work, Izzy enjoys watching college football. He can often be seen around the Wilsonville Warehouse sporting Oregon Ducks gear.

Congratulations on this recognition, Izzy! It is well deserved.

Runners up for the month include Jose Cornelio (First Runner Up) and Julio Gutierrez (Second Runner Up).

Read about our other recently recognized team members on the Houston’s Blog.

The post November Wilsonville Warehouse Employee of the Month: Izzy Ortiz appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Boba, also known as bubble tea, is a tea-based drink that originated in Taiwan in the 1980s. The beverage typically consists of brewed tea mixed with milk and the novel addition of tapioca pearls (the bubbles).

The tapioca pearls add flavor, a chewy texture, and an eye-catching visual appeal that has helped boba gain popularity through social media.

The term “boba” can refer to the pearls themselves or the whole drink in general.

Boba was introduced to the U.S. market in the 1990s, and over the past 30 years has established a loyal fan base for those who have been in the know. Over the past few years, boba has seen more mainstream traction, with steady growth in popularity across the country. Interest from several national chains has contributed to boba’s rise in popularity.

Dunkin Donuts debuted a boba offering in 2021, branding the pearls as “Popping Bubbles.” Sonic Drive-In added “Bursting Bubbles” to their menu the same year. Peet’s Coffee Shops introduced a beverage add-in similar to boba in 2022 called “Jelly” – the main difference being the “Jelly” add-ins were cubed-shaped, rather than spherical bubbles.

In all three cases, the boba offerings were added to the menu as an “add to any cold drink” feature. The connection to cold drinks is also a main contributing factor for the increase in boba popularity.

As those within the coffee, café, and specialty beverage industries are aware, the cold drink market has exploded in recent years. As of last year, 75% of Starbucks beverage sales were from cold drinks.

It is evident that consumers are choosing cold drinks, and demanding a higher degree of customization for their beverages.

Boba offers a strategic opportunity to synergize with the cold drink trend. For café operations and their distributors, adding a boba offering is a great way to easily add value to any cold drink offering, and command premium pricing on the menu.

Boba is not strictly limited to tea and coffee drinks either. It’s also becoming a popular add-in for energy drinks, flavored lemonades, sodas, and more.

Passion Fruit Boba is one of several flavors available from Third Street

Houston’s is your source for popping boba that is easy to add to any cold drink menu. We recently brought on Third Street Chai as a vendor partner – their line-up of boba products offers multiple flavors and are ready-to-use. Third Street boba does not require any special equipment, preparation, or training – instantly increase the value of cold drinks without any hassle.

Visit our Third Street page to learn more about how boba can add value for you and your customers.

Not a Houston’s customer? Inquire about becoming one today.

Read more about beverage industry trends on the Houston’s Blog.

The post Boba: Opportunity is Popping appeared first on Houston's Blog.

For these attributes and more, Reuben has earned recognition as the Merchandising Employee of the Quarter for Q4.

According to Merchandising Manager Scott Sauls, Reuben is a great ambassador for Houston’s Core Values. Notably, Reuben is adept at connecting with customers and coworkers, and presents a strong sense of integrity through his work.

“From showing up consistently early to conversing with customers and managers in a polite and respectful manner, Reuben has proven to be a valuable and revered asset to our team,” said Scott.

Reuben has also demonstrated his keen ability to adapt to changes, and has suggested ideas for improvements in the opportunities he notices.

“Reuben has helped expand the Lotus Energy section in one of his stores, by informing the manager more about the product and its movement in Northern stores,” Scott said. “Reuben also suggested a prime location next to Torani syrups and smoothie mixes, which is where it is set now.”

“With the help of product knowledge, POS (point of sale material), and store support, our goal is to catch up to Northern stores in Lotus sales, and Reuben is doing his part,” Scott added.

Scott notes that another of Reuben’s most valuable attributes to the team is his reliability.

“I know I can always count on Reuben whatever the task,” he said. “He always shows up early, ready to work – Reuben’s reliability translates to his work ethic and consistency with his quality of work.”

It’s evident that Reuben brings a unique brand of professionalism and dedication to the workplace.

“His polite and respectful manners probably come from his upbringing or from his time in the military,” Scott said. “Regardless of where they come from, Reuben is a unique addition to Houston’s that I’m proud to have on my team.”

Congratulations, Reuben. This recognition is well-deserved!

Runners up for the quarter include Gannon Beale (First Runner Up) and Rhianna Peterson (Second Runner Up).

Read more about our other recently recognized team members on the Houston’s Blog.

The post Merchandising Employee of the Quarter Q4: Reuben Amos appeared first on Houston's Blog.

For her dedication, teamwork, and high level of customer service, she is recognized as Wilsonville Office Employee of the Quarter for Q4.

According to Inside Sales Manager Aaron Cromb, Kristin supports team goals with a dedication to assisting customers with orders, and ensuring those orders are entered accurately.

“Kristin is consistently a top performer in the department, has some of the highest order entries, and has the least number of errors,” he said.

Though she is consistently a top performer on the Inside Sales Team, Kristin’s contributions go beyond accuracy and productivity numbers. Kristin is also well known for being a willing collaborator.

“She is willing to pick up the phone and problem-solve for the customer, or take an issue off a Regional Manager’s plate,” said Aaron.

Several of Houston’s Regional Managers have noted how Kristin’s level of attention and service has helped alleviate challenges. Numerous customers have also gone out of their way to give a “shout out” and provide kudos for Kristin, as well.

“She has done an incredible job of building relationships,” Aaron said. “She creates amazing connections with anyone and everyone she comes in contact with.”

In addition to Creating Connections, Kristin is adept at representing Houston’s other Core Values, too.

“I have never seen Kristin shy away from a challenge,” said Aaron. “No matter the situation, she sees a way forward and knows we will get through it as a team.”

Outside of work, Kristin enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and two amazing dogs.

“One of Kristin’s favorite topics to discuss is produce – though this might be sarcasm,” Aaron said. “If you have a question, she will have an answer.”

Congratulations Kristin! This recognition is well-earned.

Runners up for the quarter include Amy Kring (First Runner Up) and Tom Paradise (Second Runner Up).

Read more about our other recognized team members on the Houston’s Blog.

The post Wilsonville Office Employee of the Quarter Q4: Kristin Gatto appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Rodrigo joined Houston’s in March 2022, and since that time has demonstrated a willingness to learn new things and develop new skills to help fulfill team goals.

“Since Rod joined Houston’s, he’s learned a lot,” said Tony Sutton, Warehouse Supervisor. “He knows the reach truck and he’s learned a lot with our computer system.”

Not only has Rodrigo diversified his skills to fit team needs, he also maintains a high attention to detail while completing tasks.

Rodrigo recorded zero picking errors through the past month, and has also notched 5 stars in most of the SPARQ categories over the past quarter.

It is evident that Rodrigo makes the most of the opportunities that are presented, and through his quality work, shows his dedication to being a team player and taking good care of Houston’s customers.

“I believe Rod embodies all of Houston’s Core Values by his hard work he brings with him every day,” Tony said. “Rod has done an exceptional job.”

Outside of work, Rodrigo is a fan of games of many different types.

“Rod enjoys watching sports – especially soccer,” said Tony. “He plays video games, too.”

He was also able to take part in the Kansas City Royals baseball outing with the Houston’s team back in June to celebrate the company’s 90-year anniversary.

Rodrigo also likes to spend time with his girlfriend and daughter.

Congratulations Rodrigo! This recognition is well-earned.

Runners up for the quarter include Oscar Perez (First Runner Up) and DeQuan Triplett-Hall (Second Runner Up).

Read more about our other recently recognized team members on the Houston’s Blog.

The post KC Warehouse Employee of the Quarter Q4: Rodrigo Miranda appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Through this past month, Eugene has a been one of the top performers in the receiving department, recording a 4.91 rating on the SPARQ wall. With a strong attention to accuracy, he also logged zero errors for the month.

Eugene is not only known for his productivity and attention to detail – he is also a team player, willing to adapt to adjustments in workload and team procedures.

Last quarter, some changes were implemented in the warehouse for how job duties are handled by forklift drivers.

“In recent months we have changed the structure of the tasks that the overflow drivers perform,” said Brenda Hart, Receiving Supervisor. “Eugene has embraced the change and has been open minded about the opportunities that the changes have provided to him.”

It’s evident that Eugene’s willingness and flexibility are attributes that are noticed and appreciated by the warehouse supervisors and leadership team.

“He has approached the transition from performing auto stocking-only, to being part of the receiving team open-mindedly and has taken the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge in the warehouse,” Brenda said. “He will contribute where needed to ensure that the customers’ needs are met.”

Eugene certainly embodies Houston’s Core Values of recognizing opportunity in challenges, and embracing positive change.

Outside of work Eugene enjoys gaming and flying his drones. He also enjoys making trips to Las Vegas.

Congratulations, Eugene! This recognition is well-earned.

Runners up for the month include Ross Orsborn (First Runner Up) and Jose G. Vazquez (Second Runner Up).

Read more about recently recognized team members on the Houston’s Blog.

The post October Wilsonville Warehouse Employee of the Month: Eugene Apuya appeared first on Houston's Blog.