Legacy Continued
Ownership Of Three Local Arby’s Locations Changing Hands
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The three local Arby's locations -- located at Foote Avenue and Fluvanna Avenue in Jamestown, and Mall Boulevard in Lakewood -- recently saw a change of ownership, though the new owners remain familiar names and faces.
The three locations have been owned and operated by Hutchinson Foods, run by Chris and Dana Hutchinson, for years, and now the pair has handed down the ownership to their son and daughter-in-law, Nicholas and Chelsea Hutchinson, owners of Hutchinson Legacy LLC.
"We had talked about it for a few years and we didn't really have a specific timing," Chris Hutchinson said. "We figured it was good as these guys were stepping up and we were stepping back already this past year, so we figured let's just make it happen."
Nicholas Hutchinson added that he and Chelsea felt ready for more responsibility and comfortable with what that entails, so now was as good of a time as any.
Internally and from an operational standpoint the transition is going well, both Chris and Dana Hutchinson said. For customers, changes will not be felt and things will continue on the same as they have been.
"Its still business as usual, just different people responsible for the behind the scenes," Nicholas Hutchinson said.
Dana Hutchinson added that there are now "fresh, young faces".
For Nicholas and Chelsea Hutchinson, this change means they now have the opportunity to take things further and to do more things they would like to do, along with being given the opportunity to embrace their own company.
"It's not going to be a major change because we've worked together for so long that we all have the same expectations and goals," Chris Hutchinson said. "It's just basically the next generation taking over."
For Dana and Chris Hutchinson, Dana said it gives them the chance to slow down a little bit and take a step back from operations and help guide Nicholas and Chelsea Hutchinson into the future.
The business remains locally owned and operated, and Nicholas and Chelsea Hutchinson plan on continuing Dana and Chris Hutchinson's legacy and bringing the personal touch to the business, along with being a part of the community. They will continue to stand behind the company that they have built and their reputation.
As part of the family's history, Dana and Chris Hutchinson met at the Arby's in Geneva, New York in 1988. After relocating to Lakewood, New York they were given the opportunity to go into business themselves in 2000. Nicholas grew up as part of the Arby's family and it was there where he met Chelsea in 2014 and together, they became the next generation for Arby's.
"We met, got married, and grew up with the company," Chris Hutchinson said. "You guys met and got married and grew up together with the company. It's cool that we're continuing the legacy, so to speak, hence the company name, Hutchinson Legacy."
The family appreciates the community's business and looks forward to continuing to work with the community and strongly reflecting their focus on customer service, product quality and cleanliness.