As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, Sonny’s continues to highlight the leading women behind the BBQ you love. These women are working day in and day out to perfect their craft for every BBQ lover out there. We are honored to know these wonderful women and humbled to work by their side.
Shannon Hamrick
Role: General Manager
Location: Winter Park, FL
Years with Sonny’s: 12 Years
Favorite Sonny’s BBQ Sauce: Sizzlin’
Shannon is inspired by the family feeling of Sonny’s. She knows that she works with people that care and would go above and beyond for each other.
“Women can have the same passions and drive as a man in this industry. Sometimes, a little extra woman’s touch is all that is needed to succeed.”
Carrie Thompson
Role: General Manager
Location: Starke, FL
Years with Sonny’s: 25 Years
Favorite Sonny’s BBQ Sauce: Mustard Sauce mixed with Sizzlin’ Sweet
Carrie, being a single mom of two children, loves the fact that Sonny’s has given her the opportunity to provide for her family.
“As a woman, you always have to bring your ‘A’ game. You have to show people that women can hold their own in this industry and never give up.”
Louvaine Addo
Role: General Manager
Location: Marietta, GA
Years with Sonny’s: 26 Years
Favorite Sonny’s BBQ Sauce: Sizzlin’ Sweet
Louvaine spreads the spirit of BBQ through motivating women to take charge of their own destiny in this industry and hopes to be an inspiration to all the women on her team.
“Women can do as much as we want and go as far as we want. There is nothing we are not capable of.”
Michelle Bruce
Role: Host
Location: Eustis, FL
Years with Sonny’s: 3 Years
Favorite Sonny’s BBQ Sauce: Sizzlin’ Sweet
Michelle is a team player. She loves seeing her team happy and tries to spread kindness to them in any way that she can.
“Women deserve a spot in this industry just as much as men do. We are just as capable and bring a whole different mindset to the field.”
Amy Frantz
Role: Regional Director
Location: ACG BBQ, LLC
Years with Sonny’s: 20 Years
Favorite Sonny’s BBQ Sauce: Sizzlin’
Amy has a passion for inspiring people. She gets up every day not only for herself, but also does it for the people who work hard day in and day out to make Sonny’s successful.
“As a woman working in a predominantly male industry, it’s empowered me with the confidence to be successful amongst male counterparts. My competitiveness from playing college basketball has helped me reach many goals from always striving to win.”
Beth Kanupp
Role: Training Manager
Location: Sonny’s Franchising Company
Years with Sonny’s: 19 Years
Favorite Sonny’s BBQ Sauce: Smokin’
Beth loves that Sonny’s has always allowed for a great work-life balance. Being a single mom of two teenagers, she is never worried about having to step out to take them to all their appointments while still being able to focus on her career.
“The biggest thing I try to tell women is never dull your shine. Be yourself even if it makes others uncomfortable. We all have our things that make us special and if you try to change your personality to fit in, it takes away from who you are and what makes you special.”
Patti Bannon
Role: Area Director
Location: IServ BBQ
Years with Sonny’s: 24 Years
Favorite Sonny’s BBQ Sauce: Smokin’
Patti believes that being a manager to someone is both an honor and a huge responsibility. She loves that as a leader she has the opportunity to be a significant influence in someone’s life.
“I wish people understood that when we walk through the doors at work, we are not leaving behind all the other titles in our lives (wife, mother, sister, daughter). We are just adding another title to the list and trying to balance it all.”
