Hansen Popeyes receives international recognition

Photo By Cpl. Mark Stroud | A Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen staff member cuts a celebratory cake at the Camp Hansen exchange food court April 27. The Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen at the Hansen exchange food court was awarded a 2010 International Bronze Plate April 27, recognizing it as one of the best international Popeyes establishments.  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

04.27.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Mark Stroud 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - The Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen at the Camp Hansen exchange food court was awarded a 2010 International Bronze Plate April 27, recognizing it as one of the best international Popeyes establishments.

The restaurant tied with a Popeyes in Istanbul Palladium, Turkey, for the award, putting these two restaurants as the third best of all international Popeyes, according to Army Sgt. 1st Class Jon Cupp, a spokesman for Army and Air Force Exchange Service Pacific Region.

More than 400 international Popeyes locations were judged on the quality of food, customer service, sales increases, ability to provide funding and the franchises internal scoring system, according to Shawn C. Dorcy, area manager for Japan and the general manager for AAFES Okinawa Exchanges.

Col. David P. Olszowy, Camp Hansen camp commander and commanding officer, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, along with Sgt. Maj. Robert L. Caldwell, Camp Hansen camp sergeant major and sergeant major, III MHG, III MEF, were on hand for the ceremony presenting the award.

Olszowy also presented letters of appreciation to staff members of the Camp Hansen food court who worked at the Hansen Popeyes.

“To bring a taste of home to someone who is this far away from home, thousands of miles, is huge,” said Dorcy.

AAFES restaurants here, including Popeyes, also contribute to programs that give back to service members, providing them with recreational opportunities and life-skill classes along with other benefits.

One Hansen-based Marine said he certainly appreciates the taste of home.

“I can taste it,” said Lance Cpl. Isaias Aguilar, data systems technician, Communication Platoon, Combat Logistic Battalion 31, Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III MEF.

“You don’t know what you are going to be eating when you come here, and you see the choices here, and it makes you feel good. It puts a smile on your face,” he said.

• Date Taken: 04.27.2011
• Date Posted: 05.17.2011 03:13
• Story ID: 70499
• Location: OKINAWA, JP