Great Easter Idea!

A great idea was submitted by Cressona Hoss's.  They are holding an Easter Coloring Contest for all their little Hossers and Hossettes who come in to dine at their store.

Each child gets to color an Easter sheet and submit it into a drawing.  They will then pick a couple of winners who will win Easter Gift Baskets full of candy, kid cash, and lots of other goodies!

Great idea, Cressona, and thanks for sharing!

#28 - Hummelstown Helps THON
By Sheila Lao

Hummelstown Hoss's held a community night February 18 for THON Express and the hand off for the run was held in our parking lot.  

THON Express is a 135-mile run that starts at Penn State Hershey and goes to Penn State University and the Bryce Jordan Center in a 24-hour time period.

Click here to learn more.

2009 Gift Card Sales Year In Review

3.5 Million Dollars In Sales!!! 

The next time you see the jar of ice cream sprinkles on your dessert bar – think about each sprinkle representing a gift card sold at Hoss’s in 2009!

1.3 million dollars were sold at our gift card tables in December alone!

1.2 million dollars were sold in the following grocery stores: 
* Giant Eagle was the king with $980,000.
* Weis
* Martin's
* Giant
* Miscellaneous Independent Retailers

Eagle BOGO Gift Card Friday:
*Over 1,000 employees participated
* $25,000 in gift cards was given away that day to our employees!

Introducing MOZO® Safety Shoes!

We are pleased to announce a new and approved slip-resistant shoe company – MOZO®, Inc.  MOZO® now makes safety shoes with cushioning features such as gel insoles and full-length midsoles for shock absorption, so you experience long-lasting comfort. 

MOZO® will also be offering all Hoss’s employees a special partner price, which is a great value for these comfortable and durable shoes.  You will be able to order online with your personal credit card and have your shoes shipped directly to your home.
Click here to go to Hoss’s partner site with MOZO® and receive your special partner price.

Click here to enter to win a FREE pair of MOZO® safety shoes. Entries accepted February 8 - March 8, 2010.

HossPeople.com Valentine's Day Contest Results

Below are the winners of the “Hoss’s Sweetheart Prize Package:”

Barbara Reppert-Holland              #37 – Elizabethtown
Patty Rathgeb                               #20 – Murrysville
Linda Simparosa                           #24 – Huntingdon
Lauren Kutz                                 #10 – Shamokin Dam

Congratulations, and a special thank you to all who participated. We had 186 entries total!

TaxAct - A Free Resource For 2010 Tax Preparation

Our EAP is providing access to TaxAct, a free resource for preparing your tax return.

Hoss employees may file your Federal Income Tax free by going to http://www.lytleeap.com. Enter the password "hoss." Then click the purple arrow that says "Go Directly to Work/Life Web Resources."

Click here to view the TaxAct Flyer.

Happiest Stores In Hossland! : )

According to our recent Employee Satisfaction Surveys, the following stores are the Happiest in Hossland:

Annville - 99%
Grove City - 98%
Altoona - 97%

Congratulations, and keep up the great work in keeping our employees happy!

Hoss's Family Steak & Sea Attends 94th Annual Pennsylvania State Farm Show "Sale of Champions"

Harrisburg, PA: Hoss's CEO and Founder, Willard E. (Bill) Campbell, attended the Pennsylvania State Farm Show "Sale of Champions" in Harrisburg, PA, on Tuesday, January 12, 2010.  The 16-acre Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural event in America.  It proudly recognizes Pennsylvania’s 50,000 farm families.  Including something for everyone, the Farm Show provides opportunities to see the latest in agricultural technologies, Pennsylvania foods, and fine arts and crafts. 

Mr. Campbell purchased the Grand Champion Steer.  The crossbred steer was exhibited by 12 year old, Bryce Fitzgerald of Chester County.  Mr. Campbell paid $15,000 for the 1,460 lb. steer and bought many other animals throughout the sale.

Mr. Campbell, who has grown Hoss's Family Steak and Sea restaurants to a total of 38 locations throughout Pennsylvania and surrounding states, bids on the animals to support the youth involved in the 4-H and FFA organizations.  He and his wife, Nancy, attend many of the livestock sales at the county fairs throughout the year.  In 2006, he set a record at the PA State Farm Show when he purchased the Grand Champion Steer for $28,500.  Mr. Campbell, a former member of the FFA, looks forward to attending the auctions to support the youth and to give something back to organizations that benefit deserving individuals.

Home Office Casual Days Raise Funds For Charity

Each Tuesday members of the Corporate Office are permitted to dress casually for a $2 donation. During 2009, over $800 was raised!

Donations of $670 went to local Christmas Charities such as Big Brother/Big Sisters of Blair County, Project Santa (supports our troops), Toys For Tots, and American Rescue Workers of Blair County (Adopt-A-Child at Christmas Program). The remaining balance was donated to the Easter Seals Society earlier in the year.

A special thank you to all who participated!

Hummelstown Christmas Tree

A special thanks to Hummelstown Hoss’s for submitting this picture. Hummelstown Hoss’s has a tree in the square in city of Hummelstown.  (Sheila reported it is a little crooked because it fell down, but we think it still looks great!)

They are members of the organization, HBPA (Hummelstown Business Partner’s Association).

Martinsburg Hoss's Hosts Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner

Martinsburg Hoss's partnered with Harvest Lighthouse Ministries to host a community Thanksgiving Day dinner. The dinner served some 500 free meals to members of different shelters in the area and/or those who otherwise might not have the chance to enjoy a holiday meal.

Click here to view a video from NBC 25 in Hagerstown.
Click here to read an article from The Martinsburg Journal from the day's events.

This event was not only about helping people in need. It is another example of how our Hoss Crew makes a positive impact in our community.

MDA Annual Altoona Lock Up @ Altoona Hoss's

“The annual Altoona Lock Up brings together local executives to fundraise for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  Local executives are “locked–up” for an hour and make telephone calls to friends, family, and co-workers to ask for donations.  Jail birds are served “gourmet” bread and water, supplied by a local favorite, Hoss’s Steak and Sea House; and are able to network and have a great time.  All this while helping the MDA and Jerry’s kids!” Quote by: Wendy Murdy, Executive Director of MDA in Pittsburgh.

In the photo:  Hoss’s  General Manager, Mark Dubyak,  is being locked up by Sheila Allen of Morris Security Specialists.

Altoona Hoss's Receives Workplace Diversity Award

In conjunction with The Arc of Blair County, the Blair County Human Resources Management Association presented Altoona Hoss's with the Workplace Diversity Award on November 18, 2009.

Maria Brandt, Arc Executive Director, had this to say, "Hoss’s has a history of allowing students in high school who have a delay in learning train at their restaurants through a school program and has gone on to employ several of the students following graduation. The schools have informed me that Hoss’s is very gracious when approached about having individuals train at their restaurants. Individuals who have a developmental disability are not regaled to the kitchen but have jobs visible to the public, which sends a message of inclusion and that we are all part of the same community, working and living together."

Congratulations to Mark Dubyak and his team!

Lobsterfest 2009
by Nancy Campbell

For the past ten years, many of the Blair County Hoss's family members have been participating in a large fundraiser called Lobsterfest for MS. This year we sold more than 400 tickets.  In the present economic climate, I felt that this was truly an awesome accomplishment.  While this is not a Hoss's sponsored event, it certainly could be due to the number of Hoss's volunteers who helped to make it such a success.

The Lobsterfest for MS is usually held on a Friday night in late September. This year on September 25, we served more than 435 hot, delicious dinners. Guests are given a choice of a whole Maine lobster (flown in “live” the day of the event) or a 10 oz. Hoss's filet mignon dinner complete with steamed shrimp, salads, appetizers, and desserts. Beverages, music for dancing, and a silent auction as well as a live auction are also part of the evening's festivities. Many of Hoss's friends, family members, and vendors help by donating product and auction items, buying tickets, and volunteering their time.

There are other community volunteers, but the Hoss's crew helps in every aspect of this event from organizing to decorating and preparing and serving the wonderful meals. We have been told by many businesses that purchase table sponsorships that this is the one fundraiser that their people actually look forward to attending.

Donna Bon, former Hosser and wife of Dan Bon, co-chaired Lobsterfest for MS with me again this year.  Former Hosser Dan Bon, with the help of many veteran Hossers, was once again in charge of all food and beverage for the event.

There are many other Hossers who work very hard to make this happen year in and year out. Below, I have listed those who helped this year, hoping that I haven't forgotten anyone: Bridget Bingham, Bill and Julie Bratton, John and Rhonda Brown, Bill Campbell, Craig Campbell, Dave Decker, Chip Gapshes, Todd Hill, Nancy Homan, Pam Weakland, Pat Imler, Ryan Mazoff, Patty Morgan, Dan Mutter, Bob and Karen Pleva, Mark Ritko, Tom and Cynthia Smith, Mark and Molly Spinazzola, Dan Starry, Julie Weicht and Tish Marks.  Many of our former Hoss’s team members returned to help including Barb Rhodes, Dave Elliott, Mark Maier, Rick Kroft, and Sean and Jenn Neff.

There is a lot of hard work involved in the success of an event this large. The most prevalent comments I heard from the guests were that the food, as always was wonderful and that they could not believe how smooth the entire event went. They were amazed at how quickly the Hoss's crew served more than 430 hot, delicious meals. I truly appreciate the way these folks have stepped up to the plate by volunteering their time and talents for such a worthwhile cause. They are truly "Hossome!"

At this year's event, we raised more than $37,000. After expenses are deducted, all of the proceeds go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society which is a non-profit organization working to find a cure for the debilitating disease that effects so many of our loved ones. The National MS Society is dedicated to serving the needs of people with MS and their families.

I am always impressed with the spirit and expertise that the Hoss's family brings to any undertaking that we consider worthwhile. It is with great pride that I work alongside of each of you.

H1N1 Flu Information

Hoss's encourages our employees to learn as much as possible about H1N1 (otherwise known as the swine flu) to protect our customers and themselves. Please visit www.H1N1inPA.com to learn how the flu spreads, what you can do to protect yourself, and what to do if you get sick.

We also encourage everyone to review a recording of the H1N1 webinar that was presented to our managers recently. Please click here for the webinar.

Elizabethtown Hoss's Receives Best Steak Restaurant Award

Hoss's in Elizabethtown has been selected for the 2009 Best of Elizabethtown Award in the Steak Restaurant category by the U. S. Commerce Association. Click here to read the press release.

A special congratulations goes out the crew and management of Elizabethtown Hoss's!

Richland Hoss's Named Top Ten Great Places To Work 2009

Richland Hoss's was identified as one of the Top Ten Great Places to Work for 2009, as seen in the June 2009 issue of Johnstown Magazine. Please click here for the complete story!

Huntingdon, PA – Voted one of the top ten “Coolest Small Towns in America!"

In a country where bigger is usually considered better, more than 100,000 small town residents have voted to have theirs crowned the "Coolest Small Town in America."

The poll was conducted by Budget Travel magazine.  The magazine was looking for Main Street, U.S.A. -- places where you find real people, excited to be part of their communities. And the results help readers discover up-and-coming towns.  Huntingdon came in at number 5!  Below is the description the magazine used to describe our own cool Hoss town of Huntingdon.  For more information on this, click on the link below! 

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/04/15/earlyshow/living/travel/main4946306.shtml

5. Huntingdon, PA (5,926)
A diverse college town set in the midst of the Appalachian Mountains.
Located: Central Pennsylvania, about 200 miles west of Philadelphia and 124 miles east of Pittsburgh
Population: 6,198
Juniata College hosts a series of performances from top musicians in classical and folk music. Baker Peace Chapel, a granite circle that sits atop a secluded hill, which was designed by artist and architect Maya Lin. That's some pretty serious architecture for such a small town!

Richland Hoss's Named Best of Johnstown 2009
by Steve McIlveen

According to Johnstown Magazine, Hoss’s in Richland Township is number one in the categories of “Steak” and also “Family Dining.”  Johnstown Magazine’s “Best of Johnstown 2009” is compiled by reader’s surveys.  Hoss’s edged restaurants such as Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Surf ‘n Turf Inn, Rizzo’s Restaurant, and Valley Dairy Restaurant. 

In a small community filled with over 100 restaurants, the competition is as fierce as anywhere. Richland Hoss’s is proud to have received these awards.  We were presented a plaque and advertising discounts for each award.  I think it’s always fun to win these Reader's Choice Awards since it’s your guests telling your community how you do.  There are a handful of Mom and Pop restaurants in the area that do a nice job, so it’s significant to me.   I’m proud of my team.

New Bob-O-Phone

Do you have ideas/suggestions on products or procedures, questions about service or the Hoss Operation in general, or want to address quality issues . . . just pick up the phone and call our new

Bob-O-Phone, Operational Hotline at
1-800-621-0270 Ext. 3400!

It's easy and confidential. You may also email your comments to suggestions@hosscorp.com.