ESOP Announced At Best Restaurant Equipment & Design

Best Restaurant Equipment & Design, closely held since its founding in 1987, is now employee-owned. The three stockholders in the Columbus, Ohio, dealer—Jim Hanson, Mike Stasko and Gene Yosick—sold their employees 100% of the stock in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan; the sale was effective December 31. All employees (currently 70) will participate in the ownership of the company. The management team will remain in place.

In a statement, Hanson, Stasko and Yosick said “the sale makes a lot of sense for the employees, the company, and the shareholders. It allows us to retain the Best brand and our tremendous staff and it offers every employee the opportunity to be an owner.”

Best Restaurant, the trio added, “is committed to continuing our legacy of excellence in execution and in maintaining a strong growth path.”