Buffets, Inc. was housing their operations in three separate facilities, creating
a logistical difficulty for the management of their expanding operations.
They needed help to develop a common vision not just of a new building, but
a new entity and soon.
Pondering this, Diane Hasbargen, Director
of Corporate Services at Buffets, Inc. reminded CEO Roe Hatlen of a magazine
article she had read highlighting Keewaydin Real Estate Advisors’ handling
of another corporate headquarters move. Hatlen encouraged her to call Keewaydin.
Before
examining location, architecture, or any of the specific
bricks and mortar decisions, Keewaydin retained Suzanne Kochevar at Envisioneering,
Inc. to assist in guiding the Buffets management team through a process
to create and agree on their goals. This “envisioneering process” helped the
new senior management team to confront their concerns and questions, and to formulate
their ideas. They were then able to develop a unified vision of what the
future of the company and the new facility should be.
The new Buffets,
Inc. headquarters first welcomed employees in April, 2000. A true company
home in a beautiful setting, high above the Minnesota River, has proved
to be an inspiration to all employees.
Hatlen reflected, "In meeting our budget
and schedule, Keewaydin didn’t sacrifice the quality that we were looking
for, the hometown feel we wanted to achieve. This is our home away from
home, and it has helped to successfully integrate the cultures of our two companies."
"Keewaydin made sure we didn't make any mistakes. They are experts from the beginning to the end." Roe Hatlen, (retired) CEO, Buffets, Inc.
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