Dairy Queen…

The DQ^® system is one of the largest fast food systems in the world, with more than 6,000 restaurants in the United States, Canada and 18 other countries. Their tagline, “We Treat You Right^®”, debuted in 1980 and is never more true than today…especially in Hopkins, Minnesota.

Joey Prusak, 19, the store manager at this Dairy Queen provided one of the most exceptional experiences I can recall. Joey is being called a hero after refusing to serve a woman he saw stealing $20 from a blind man who had unknowingly dropped the cash.  Prusak gave the woman an ultimatum: Return the money or leave.  When she chose the latter, the 19-year-old stepped in and gave the man $20 from his own pocket.  According to one of the other customers, Joey approached the man and took out his wallet and said “Sir, on behalf of Dairy Queen I would like to give you the $20 that you dropped on the ground as you walked away from the counter”.

Normally good deeds go unnoticed and get simply a smile from witnesses to an act of kindness.  But, in this case, an anonymous letter was sent to the store by a customer then the manager posted it in the store then a co-worker posted it on Facebook and it went viral from there.  Then, the store owner called the International Dairy Queen office about his 19-year-old manager’s good deed.

Prusak ended up getting a very special phone call from billionaire Warren Buffett, whose company owns Dairy Queen, as well as Dairy Queen President and CEO John Gainor.

Buffett requested that Prusak attend the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting in May 2014 in Omaha, Neb., so that he can meet him.  Buffett is chairman, president and CEO of the famed multinational holding company.  Prusak will be Gainor’s special guest at the meeting. 

At age 19 he already is the store manager. The sky is the limit for someone who believes in themselves, has awesome ethics and provides great customer service.

My book, Moving Up is written about people just like Joey and the opportunities he has coming his way.  Joey epitomizes Dairy Queen’s tagline, We Treat You Right^®” and gave it new meaning.

“Proactive people do not become overwhelmed by emotions.  When challenges arise, they take control and confront them head on.”  – John Tschohl.