Hickory's crowned 'best large company to work for In UK!'

The accolade, which comes on the back of four consecutive victories in the quarterly heats, positions Hickory’s as one of the most aspirational hospitality brands to work for.

Led by Managing Director John Welsh and people director Rachel Woodcock, the team were awarded the trophy at a glittering ceremony in London.

Mr Welsh said: "We are very honoured and proud to have been recognised as the No.1 Best Large Company to work for in 2022.

"This accolade is based on feedback from our incredible team, who really are at the heart of what we do here at Hickorys Smokehouse.

"We will still make mistakes, but each day is a new day where we try to be better based on what our team tell us." 

Founded in 2010 by Neil McDonnell, the story started in their spiritual homeland, when Neil was first seduced by the sights, sounds, soul and tastes of the deep South.

Fast-forward 12 years, and some 15 restaurants later, the team has created, what  spokesperson called, a "highly respected brand which is based on their unrivalled levels of service and authentic approach to classic BBQ food, cooked low and slow.

"This unique approach it what makes Hickory’s such a unique place to work. Every team member plays a pivotal role, from interacting with guests to cooking thousands of dishes; serving countless drinks and encompassing everything it strives to achieve as a business – true Southern hospitality."

Judges praised the company for their outstanding commitment to team well-being and superb levels of engagement, which means every team member feels ‘cared for’ and ‘heard’.

Hickory’s people director Rachel Woodcock said: "We really are honoured to have received this amazing award.

"Having entered for the last five years, initially making it onto the Top 100 list last year for the first time at No 11, we have learned so much about ourselves as a business through this process.

"We will always keep listening to the teams be that through our Summer Survey, our Roadshows or everyday coffee chats. There is always something we can be better at, and we will always strive to make improvements." 

Famously, Hickory’s looks to recruit "real people with real personalities" and hand-picks its teams, not based on CV's or impressive qualifications, but because they have great personalities and embody the qualities the company stands for.

The company's training and development department is described as "passionate about promoting career progression" and offers more than 100 bespoke training courses and industry qualifications.

This, combined with the incredible opportunities for enrichment experiences and international travel to the Southern states and beyond, makes Hickory’s an exciting prospect for anyone looking to progress within the hospitality industry.