Tim Taylor
CEO, Davians
N56 W16300 Silver Spring Drive, Menomonee Falls
www.davians.com
Industry: Foodservice and catering
Employees: 225
Family: Wife, Julie; daughter, Paige, 9; son, Brody, 8; and son, Trey, 6
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
“For years we’ve operated under a number of brand names and customers were not making the connection between the division that was serving them and our other capabilities. After extensive rebranding and repositioning, we consolidated our brand and various offerings under the Davians name and three divisions: Catering & Events; Coffee, Vending & Micro Markets; and Dining & Corporate Cafes. Regardless of the division, we determined we are a food, beverage and impeccable service company. We launched the updated brand in February with a new website and have already seen positive results.”
What’s new at your company?
“First, what’s not new – while our competitors increasingly outsource food preparation and ship items from elsewhere, Davians is one of a few companies nationally that prepares our own food daily at our culinary center or corporate cafes. Because our food is fresh and local, we regularly update and can customize our menus. We’re getting ready to open a new corporate café at a Menomonee Falls business property this summer and our café at Schlitz Park recently expanded. In our event center, we’ve installed new dance floors and added new amenities, including a photo booth. For our vending customers, we now accept cashless payment including Google Wallet, Apple Pay and credit and debit cards.”
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
“Today, everyone is a ‘foodie’ and conscious about healthy eating. Diets are more diverse. The challenge, and opportunity, is to stay ahead of these trends and continue to develop new offerings that meet the nutritional and taste preferences of a more demanding customer. We’re also in a cyclical industry. When economic times are uncertain, people look first to save their food and entertainment dollars. They’ll brown bag it rather than buy lunch at work. Party budgets are cut. The good news is we’re seeing a rebound.”
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
“Micro markets are one of today’s fastest growing foodservice concepts, providing the 24/7 convenience and variety of a self-serve/self-pay market at a company site. Davians micro markets are stocked with fresh and locally made sandwiches, salads and other entrees, plus snacks, fruits and beverages. These micro markets include software that allows users to track personal nutritional goals.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“Our company mantra is to ‘Treat our customers as one of our own,’ and my personal mantra or commitment is to constant and never-ending improvement.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“I look up to those business owners that started with an idea, a vision, and took a calculated risk. Along the way they influenced people and ultimately built something very special. That describes Davians founders David and Vivian Kwarciany. They have created opportunity for so many.”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“Great leaders are great listeners. Listening to our employees is critical. They’re on the front lines of our business taking care of our customers.”
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career?
“I joined Davians right out of college and considered it a temporary job while I sent out resumes and tried to find my career path. Twenty years ago I never expected to advance from route driver, to department supervisor, to district manager and now CEO.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“Spend time with my family, whether it’s boating, travelling, coaching a ball game, attending a dance recital, going for a run or riding a bike. And of course, I like to eat.”
