Jake McAndrews awarded Sonny’s manager of the year

LYNN HAVEN, Fla. ( WMBB ) — A local restaurant manager has been named the best of the best.

Jake McAndrews manages the Sonny’s BBQ franchise in Lynn Haven.

When Jake McAndrews showed up for work at Sonny’s barbeque Tuesday morning, he had no idea what would be waiting for him.

“I was caught off guard and I had to bite my tongue a little bit. I don’t want these allergies to start acting up,” Sonny’s BBQ Manager Jake McAndrews said.

Jake manages Sonny’s Lynn Haven location.

Tuesday morning he was surprised with the news that he is the sonny’s manager of the year.

McAndrews has been working for the Sonny’s since Jul. 2022.

Before Sonny’s he spent six years in the Navy, assigned to the Middle East.

“We’re out there for a while, but it was pretty wild. A lot of sand. It’s a lot of sand over there. It’s hot. But it was it was a learning experience,” McAndrew said.

After the Navy, he worked at a steel factory in Minnesota.

Then two years ago, his father, local franchise owner Wayne Lindsey, offered McAndrews a job.

“It’s not 10 below zero. And I said, okay, sign me up. So, I came down and yeah, it was a pretty big feat at first,” McAndrew said.

“He’s just been almost here for two years now, and he’s had a significant impact on this store. He has generally changed the morale in the store, uplifting the employees, always positive. He just an overall great person and a great person to work with. And he’s just a born leader, I believe,” Sonny’s General Manager Rebecca Trotter said.

“Jake is honestly the best thing to happen to the Sonny’s. He’s been here, like you said earlier, for almost two years now, and it’s just a better positive morale. Everyone enjoys coming to work now,” Sonny’s Assistant Manager Savannah Youngblood said.

Trotter and Youngblood nominated McAndrews for the award earlier this year.

Sonny’s franchise Chief People Officer, Christie Schatz, said that McAndrews surpassed her expectations.

“Every single person that nominated him just loves him. They’ve said nothing but how he’s lifted their spirits and he’s so positive.  He’s an amazing leader, so, I had to come out and check out, check it out for myself,” Sonny’s franchise Chief People Officer Christie Schatz said.

As manager of the year, McAndrews will speak at Sonny’s upcoming annual convention.

Sonny Tillman opened the original Sonny’s in Gainesville in 1968.

There are more than 100 now across nine states.

Sonny’s corporate started recognizing some key team players in 2014.

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