Chamber News by Artis Stoebener, Executive Director
This week's veteran member, KFC-Taco Bell, have been committed members of the Cameron Chamber since they opened in 1974.  I had to double check that date as it simply seemed impossible that 30+ years had passed since they've been part of Cameron. However, my kids couldn't remember NOT having a KFC here!  Nor could they imagine not existing on bean burritos while in college.  Originally KFC was located on Walnut across the street from Shelman Realty where that familiar red and white bucket acted as a beacon to growling stomachs everywhere.  When KFC moved to their current location at 708 Baldwin Road in June of 1999, they became KFC/Taco Bell.  Manager Sandy Girres has been with KFC for an outstanding 31 years!  As I've stated before, businesses who can keep employees long term are clearly doing something right.  Their 23 employees would no doubt agree with that. KFC has world class management development programs and a ‘promotion from within policy’.  KFC values self-development and supports full time employees with their Education Assistance Program.  They employ a logical advancemen progression:  Team Member to Shift Supervisor to Trainee Assistant Manager to Assistant Manager to Restaurant General Manager.  Learning a business from entry level up gives everyone a clear understanding of exactly how each component works.
KFC & Taco Bell are probably two of the most recognizable franchises in the world.  Who doesn't know the success story of the 65 year old Colonel Sanders and his "secret family recipe of 11 herbs and spices" who started his business of Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1939 using his $105 Social Security check?  Combining the spirit of southern cooking w/the well known southern colonel was a stroke of marketing genius.  Ditto the talking Chihuahua for Taco Bell.  Both businesses have really expanding their offerings to include old favorites as well as trendy items like wraps and snack sized items.  KFC is located throughout the world, even in Bejing, China.  Taco Bell which is also owned by Pepsico opened in Downey, California in 1962 with 5 items:  tacos, beans, bean burritos, tostadas and Bell burgers.  The first taco sold for 19 cents back then.  Currently there are 7,800 restaurants in the US, employing more than 100,000.  More than 55 million folks visit Taco Bell any given week!  Their "Taco Tuesday" always plays to a packed house.  It's no surprise that the Taco Bell system sales exceed 5.0 billion or that they use 92 million pounds of cheddar cheese in a year.  Not all big corporations are as community minded as the KFC/Taco Bell.  We in Cameron are indeed fortunate to have so many businesses who truly give back to the community and surrounding communities the way our Chamber members do.  KFC/Taco Bell can be reached at 632-6234.
Chamber is pleased to announce two more new Chamber members, Extreme Floors of Cameron, Inc at 11631 NE Hwy 69.  They can do all types of flooring.  Call 632-8200 to see what they can do for you.  Our second new member is Stampcrete of NW Missouri, LLC located on 30008 69 hiway in Winston.  They provide sales and service of stunningly beautiful decorative concrete.  Their brochure is available in Chamber office or call 660-749-5596 for Abraham or Mark.  July 4 celebration is just around the corner.  Go to www.cameronmo.com, then Chamber for flyers and entry forms for Car Show, Quilt Show, contests, and Lions parade.  These forms need to be returned ASAP.  Cameron is truly blessed to have so much effort & support from so many folks.  Please continue to patronize all 160+ Chamber businesses that have made a dedicated effort to help Cameron be all it can be.  They appreciate your business