pEastside Big Tom's

EASTSIDE BIG TOM'S

TAKES A CREATIVE APPROACH TO SERVICE AMID COVID-19

by Heidi Smith

In an industry that has been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, [Michael] Fritsch (right) has been able to modify his business model while minimizing risks for his team.

At 2:30 on a Friday afternoon at Eastside Big Tom’s, an employee interrupted owner Michael Fritsch’s conversation to deliver some news. “We’re out of ketchup packets again,” he announced. It was the third time that day, and the demand for ketchup and every other item on the menu showed no signs of slowing down.

The popular and historic drive-through restaurant briefly closed when the COVID-19 outbreak hit but is back in business with limited hours, an adapted menu, and several innovative strategies for staying afloat amid the crisis. In an industry that has been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, Fritsch has been able to modify his business model while minimizing risks for his team.

Fritsch’s parents bought the restaurant in 1969, and it was Washington State’s first drive-through, as well as the first to incorporate solar power long before it was a recognized industry. In 2019 Big Tom’s celebrated its 50th anniversary. When he first realized it would be necessary to close, Fritsch was distraught (or in his terms, “I laid around in bed and cried for days on end”).

Technically, Big Tom’s didn’t have to shut down but morally there was no other choice, he explains. “Nobody was following the rules in the beginning at all. I have a couple of employees who take medicines that are destroying their immune systems, so they can’t work under those conditions. Some of my older workers who are more at risk have been with me for years. I didn’t have to shut down, but I did it because I needed to be able to live with myself.”

Once the business re-opened several weeks later, new measures were in place to keep staff and the public safe. Before COVID-19, it took eight to ten people to run the inside

of the building; now just six are allowed. All business is done via the drivethrough, customers can no longer walk up to the back door if they aren’t wearing a face mask, and the menu has been stripped down to make it manageable for the reduced staff.

“We brought back burger baskets,” says Fritsch. “We haven’t had baskets in 51 years. We’re trying to streamline it so that we’re just offering a few things instead of the 14 things we would normally be cooking.”

Hours of operation have also changed. For now, the restaurant is open from Monday to Saturday for two shifts, one from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and the other from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Even with a limited schedule, it’s been hard to keep things in stock. “Within those three hours of being open, the building gets stripped clean,” Fritsch observes. “It’s like piranhas.”

He’s also gotten creative with other ways to bring in funds to cover expenses like property taxes and payroll, including selling t-shirts and gift certificates online. Big Tom’s has hosted special events with pre-sales featuring items like donut breakfast sandwiches that they typically offer only once or twice a year. On Easter Sunday they sold hundreds. “We’ve been doing these oddball things,” says Fritsch. “We’re busy, but we got so far behind while we were closed, and taxes don’t stop.”

While some customers have responded positively and understood the need for changes, others have not been so receptive. Repeatedly over the past six weeks since re-opening, his staff has been told that COVID-19 is a hoax, in some cases in an abusive fashion. At one point a group had one of his employees surrounded while they shouted about the government not being able to tell them what to do.

It’s not an acceptable way to treat his staff. “I want people to know that it’s not

For now, the restaurant is open from Monday to Saturday for two shifts, one from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and the other from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

our fault,” he says. “I want them to stop taking their frustrations out on my wife. She’s getting hounded.”

In another effort to support its staff, Big Tom’s is participating in the Employment Security Department’s Shared Work program, which provides flexibility to retain employees at reduced hours. The program supports businesses in avoiding layoffs while reducing payroll costs and benefits employees through training programs that develop workforce skills.

“It’s a fairly amazing program,” says Fritsch. “They have a webinar that my wife did where they’re able to get to questions that people have. They’ve heard these questions so many times they know what’s coming before anyone asks it. We’re working it out so our staff can continue to do these strange shifts every day.”

As Washington slowly re-opens for business, local landmarks like Big Tom’s will continue to play an important role in the community. For the public who loves their products, the best way to support them is to continue to enjoy their products – in a civil manner.

Even with a limited schedule, it’s been hard to keep things in stock. “Within those three hours of being open, the building gets stripped clean,” Fritsch observes. “It’s like piranhas.”

Leadership Thurston County Celebrates Class of 2020

by Alisha Blain, Program Director L eadership Thurston County (LTC) and the Thurston County Chamber Foundation are pleased to announce the graduating members of the LTC Class of 2020! They began their journey in September of 2019 and have wrapped up their program year virtually over the course of the last several weeks. Though not the traditional full day Challenge Day sessions, the content was every bit as impactful with many thanks to our virtual presenters.

During the 10-month program, LTC class members met with local, community and statewide leaders; learned about issues surrounding South Sound communities; expanded networks and resources; and explored numerous opportunities to get involved. Topics ranged from business and economic development to environmental issues, education and health and human services. Site visits included tours of local businesses, schools, public agencies and non-profit organizations.

Thank you to our Graduation Sponsor, Creative Office, all the employers who sponsored participants, local leaders who contributed to the monthly sessions, LTC Sustaining Trustees and Board of Regents, and the Thurston County Chamber for all their outstanding support during the past academic year!

The LTC Class of 2020 graduation ceremony is currently postponed, be on the lookout for a date coming soon! This year’s class is the 26th graduating class. We look forward to many more!

Applications are being accepted for the LTC Class of 2021.

Apply online today at LeadThurstonCounty.com

Congratulations Class of 2020 Graduates!

Natalie Butler, WA State Department of Licensing Greg Burnett, Chehalis Tribal Enterprises Skyler Chaney, Lakeside Industries Hap Clemons, Harlequin Productions Carly Colgan, South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity Paula Coviello, Beechtree Coaching & Consulting John DeHan, Neil Walter Company Farah Derosier, LOTT Clean Water Alliance Scott Devlin, City of Lacey Samantha Dotson, South Puget Sound Community College Meghan Flanagan, Frost & Co., PLLC Stephen Griffith, Express Employment Stephen Hyer Jr., Child Care Action Council Katy Johansson, Olympia School District Education Foundation Kevin Karkoski, Intercity Transit Scott Kennedy, City of Tumwater Amy King, City of Olympia Jessie Knudsen, Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Sarah Krill, Port of Olympia

Josefina Magana, WA State Department of Labor & Industries Cathy McKay, SCJ Alliance Peter McNamara, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington Andre Muldrew, Thurston County Randi Nandyal, Anonymously Yours & Compass-360 Association Sabrena Orr, Hatton Godat Pantier, Inc. Leslie Panowicz, Panowicz Jewelers Kevin Rowe, Edward Jones Benjamin Scholl, Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel Tawni Sharp, Thurston County Clerk Aaron Shively, Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters Allison Spector, WA State Department of Transportation Brett Stark, HDR Amanda Stevens, TwinStar Credit Union Jody Suhrbier, Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County Kathleen Thomas, Saint Martin's University Tadeu Velloso, Phillips Burgess PLLC Amber Wetzel, YMCA Youth & Government

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