23 October 2012
Mary Lambie Wins Awesome Service Award
A TV veteran and SUBWAY® restaurant owner has been recognised for her service in the Auckland Chamber of Commerce’s
Awesome Service Awards.
Telecom Place (Auckland CBD) SUBWAY® Restaurant franchisee Mary Lambie has been announced as the October Awesome Service
winner, the first time a SUBWAY® franchisee has scooped the award.
The awards encourage the public to nominate individuals who provide outstanding service in a New Zealand business.
Lambie was nominated by customer Lusiana Raibe who hadn’t recognised the former Good Morning show host but was impressed
with her efficiency and personal approach at her SUBWAY® restaurant.
“[Mary] memorises names while still serving two queues and even looks up to acknowledge the people waiting in the online
orders queue,” says Raibe. “She not only acknowledges you but adds a personal touch that makes you feel more like a
friend than a transaction”.
Lambie believes the award is recognition that the Telecom Place team are “getting one of the most important elements of
retail business right”.
“There’s an old adage in retail; the customer is king,” says Lambie. “Every one of my wonderful team is aware that if we
don’t take care of our customers then someone else will. It’s part of the Telecom Place Subway culture to go the extra
mile on service to ensure every patron returns – preferably with their friends”.
Mark Hawes, the local Development Agent for Subway® Restaurants says the Awesome Service Awards are particularly
valuable as it is customers themselves who have made the nominations.
“It’s a fantastic award on the basis that it’s your own customers nominating you,” he says. “It doesn’t get any purer or
better than this. That Mary’s customer nominated her without knowing she was the owner of the store shows she really is
leading by example when it comes to service”.
Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Barnett says he was impressed by a number of aspects highlighted by
Lusiana in her nomination of Mary.
“A stand-out aspect of this very tasty story is that great customer service doesn’t just happen by accident,” he says.
“To become part of the culture of any business it needs to be driven by those at the top. It’s called practicing what
you preach to staff. Well done Mary for leading by example.”
In July the SUBWAY® Restaurant chain was voted New Zealand’s number one trusted fast food brand. The win marks the
second year, the SUBWAY® brand collected the top spot in the Fast Food category of the annual Reader’s Digest Most
Trusted Brands Survey.
The SUBWAY® team is looking forward to opening the 250th New Zealand restaurant over the coming year.
To read more about Mary’s nomination or to nominate someone who has given you great customer service visit www.awesomeservice.co.nz.
ENDS