(EMAILWIRE.COM, January 08, 2010 ) Cary, NC – Smithfield’s Chicken N Bar-B-Q is proud to announce that Richard Averitte, Marketing Director, was presented with a token of appreciation by Operations Specialist and Rescue Swimmer, Jamie Franks, of the United State Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Unit Three, on Thursday, December 17th, 2009.
Franks’s unit, stationed out of San Diego, CA, was deployed to southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Franks became a fan on the Smithfield’s Chicken N Bar-B-Q Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/scnbnc) and wrote on on the page’s wall that he grew up in Smithfield, North Carolina and that “eating at Smithfield’s Chicken N BBQ is always a MANDATORY event when I’m at home on leave”.
The small, personal connection grew into something much bigger for the restaurant over the next few months. With the support of its stores and the local community, Smithfield's Chicken N Bar-B-Q's Freedom Week was a great success, encouraging diners to contribute items to be shipped to troops serving overseas, where FranksÂ’s unit was serving. The program even garnered the support of UNC basketball coach, Roy Williams. (http://scnbnc.com/blog/?p=688)
Just in time for the holidays, Smithfield’s Chicken N Bar-B-Q was able to welcome Franks home with a special lunch for the specialist and his family at the Garner, NC location at Highways 40 and 42, on Thursday, December 17th, 2009. At the lunch, Franks presented Averitte with a commemorative oar, completed with hand-braided “dressings” and coins. It will be prominently displayed at the Garner location.
“It was an honor to finally meet Jamie. The token of appreciation from his unit was totally unexpected and touching”, says Averitte. Pictures and video from the event, including the commemorative oar, can be viewed on the Smithfield’s Chicken N Bar-B-Q blog at http://www.SCNBNC.com/blog/.
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About SmithfieldÂ’s Chicken N Bar-B-Q
SmithfieldÂ’s Chicken N Bar-B-Q has a 40-year history serving the finest fried chicken and Eastern-North-Carolina-style Bar-B-Q, made fresh daily from family recipes and served in a family-friendly atmosphere. SmithfieldÂ’s Chicken N Bar-B-Q has over 30 locations in North Carolina as well as an online store where BBQ can be ordered and shipped anywhere in the United States. Visit http://www.SCNBNC.com/ for more information or call 919-852-1742.
Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q
Richard Averitte
919-656-6987 raveritte@scnbnc.com