Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue III, 2015 | Page 38

2015 MVP AWARDS
BY DEBBIE SELINSKY

Up from Poverty

E

Eric Holm wants to eliminate hunger in the U.S.

ric Holm may own 31 successful Golden Corral restaurants in
Florida and Georgia and run a $150
million business, but his thoughts
never stray far from the poverty in which
he grew up. That’s why he’s been found
every Thanksgiving for the past 22 years
alongside 1,200 volunteers, serving up
to 25,000 free meals at the local Salvation Army.
He also is a member of the National
Advisory Board of the Salvation Army,
serving as chairman of the Finance and
Development Committee and aiming

NAME: Eric Holm
TITLE: CEO, Metro Corral
NO. OF UNITS: 31 Golden
Corrals, 1 Marriott Fairfield Inn, 1
Pig Stand (original concept)
AGE: 59
FAMILY: Wife Diane and three

daughters, Danielle, Erin, and
Erica

YEARS IN FRANCHISING: 19
YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION: 19

this year—the Salvation Army’s 150th
anniversary year—to start raising the
$220 million needed to do what he calls
“changing the dynamics of intergenerational poverty.”
Holm, who has been Franchisee of the
Year for Golden Corral many times, well
remembers when the Salvation Army fed
his family on Thanksgiving and Christmas
when he was growing up, and he continues to pay that kindness forward. “I do it
because the need is still so great,” he says.
“We can fulfill that need, so we continue
to do it. I think we all need to do as much

2015 MVP AWARDS
Noble Cause Award
Why do you think you were recognized
with this award? We’ve spent 22 years feeding the hungry in Orlando on Thanksgiving Day and
are active on the National Advisory Board of the
Salvation Army.
How have you raised the bar in your
own company? First we take care of our coworkers and then they take care of our guests.
What innovations have you created and
used to build your company? Providing better opportunities for management to be successful.
What core values do you think helped
you win this award? Giving back and helping
others be successful.
How important is community involvement to you and your company? It’s our
responsibility to give back to the community where
we live and do business.
What leadership qualities are important
to you and your team? Respect and trust.

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MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE IS S UE III, 2015