Testimonials - Puffy Muffin

I wanted you to know what a STAR "Puffy" is in the community. I wanted others to know you as I do, as someone with the utmost integrity, believing in whatever you do and always striving for excellence in whatever it is that you accomplish. When someone shows their character on a personal level, the people you get to know and with whom you interact really believe that you are someone special and someone with whom they would like to do business. I know your customers are very aware of that and that's one of the main reasons you have been so successful. You genuinely care about people and those with whom you interact. This goes way beyond being a good business person. It is about relationships. What better way to develop and sustain those relationships but to let the community know that you sincerely care about them.

I am deeply grateful for your friendship and for the wonderful example you have set for all businesses. You are a pillar of our community. I know this because you are and continue to be one of Brentwood's "Star" businesses. You have set a high standard for other businesses to follow.

Paula Cirulli CRI,CRS, ISS
Chair, Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber

The Puffy Muffin provides a lot of support to me in my life professionally and personally. At EMI Christian music Group we rely on the support of local vendors and suppliers to help us conduct business. The quality food you provide enables us to make a great impression on our employees and customers in special meetings. We need that support.

Personally I work out in Brentwood and find that the Puffy Muffin is the best place to have breakfast/lunch before I head to work. I enjoy the great food and quality service weekly. If you were not there making great food, I would have to figure out another way to work out or perhaps even find a different work out facility!

I often take meetings at the Puffy Muffin with business associates and non-profit organizations for which I volunteer. Again, the quality food and service in a nearby location allows me to squeeze more into my life and busy schedule. You are helping me serve our community.

I love your baked items and take-out too. I often bring cookies or cupcakes to my staff as a way to say thank you. My sister and I regularly pick up quiché to take to the Lake for the weekend in the summer.

I love you! I need you! I've got to have you Puffy Muffin!!

Holly Whaley
EMI Christian Music Group

I have found over the years that the restaurant business and the banking business have many similarities. One similarity is good customer service - it is critical for us both. Therefore, I am constantly on the "customer service" watch, learning the behaviors of others, both good and bad. I like to share my experiences with my staff. My customers as well as yours always have the choice to go elsewhere for their business. Both of our products and commodities are very common and can be found at any bank or restaurant in town. So, the only thing that we have to differentiate ourselves from the "common" is our customer service - it is the smile that brings people back and not the food or the cost of money.

During my customer service shopping, I have discovered that every employee I have come in contact with at the Puffy Muffin (over the last 10 years) displays that exemplary customer service we all strive so hard to achieve. This is how you impact the community, by your consistent, friendly/warm customer service. You make people feel welcomed. . . a place they want to be and bring their friends and business associates.

As you know, I am a branch manager for a local bank. I have been in banking for a long time, therefore, I have had a great deal of training on the importance of Customer Service. Job well done, Puffy Muffin - you are to be congratulated!

Sidney Powers, Branch Manager
The Bank of Nashville

The Puffy Muffin is the best meeting place in Brentwood! Whether it is business associates conducting a meeting during breakfast or old friends wanting to catch up over lunch, the Puffy Muffin is the place to go. Everyone - young and old, male and female, feels comfortable there because the service is consistently good and the food is always delicious. Those two factors also spill over to the catering side. When I have business luncheons here in my office, I order from the Puffy Muffin because I know the food will be delivered with a smile (Chris is great!), on time (usually early) and everyone will rave over the meal.

The Puffy Muffin is the kind of place you want to take out of town guests because it represents Brentwood so well. It has developed a reputation of excellence not only for the fabulous food it offers, but also for the people who serve it. They are courteous, professional and genuinely seem glad to be working there. They create an atmosphere that people are willing to drive to Brentwood for, even with all the competition in Franklin and Nashville. The Puffy Muffin is a vital part of the community that encourages people to do business in Brentwood.

Leigh C. Bawcom
Marketing Officer - BancorpSouth, Brentwood

I am a small business owner headquartered in Brentwood. Yes, I frequent many area eateries, especially Starbucks in the morning for a coffee to go and the Wild Iris, my favorite dinner establishment. My largest customer has had an ongoing love affair with the Puffy for over the 12 years I have worked with her. We have had lunch in your establishment 6 - 8 times a year for this period and have enjoyed discussing business in a quiet setting (not found in local franchises) and written numerous work orders.

I have entertained out of town customers and my first choice for lunch is the Puffy Muffin. My customers have been to the finest restaurants in the country - but they have never been to Brentwood's own locally owned Puffy Muffin; where we can enjoy fine food, friendly service and a comfortable setting to help me showcase Brentwood and my local business.

When I am trying to sell Brentwood and my services . . . .where is a better place than the Puffy Muffin? Where the food, service and decor is always predictable as is the ability to talk and discuss business in a comfortable Brentwood institution.

Lynda, let your team know that they do much more than serve food. They all help deliver a local food experience to the community and therefore ARE the community.

Bert Bosse

This is a great opportunity for those of us who love the Puffy Muffin to give you kudos! When someone asks me where we can meet for lunch to discuss business, I immediately think of the Puffy Muffin. Additionally, breakfast meetings there are ideal. You are an ingrained part of the city. I believe that when asked "Where do you want to meet?", most local folks automatically say, "PUFFY MUFFIN."

Betsy S. Crossley
Commissioner, City of Brentwood

To me and so many others in Brentwood, Puffy Muffin just feels good! If you ask me to quickly describe Puffy Muffin here is what comes to mind: warm, hospitable, home. Puffy Muffin is that place we go to feel good. Not only do we get fed, but we get filled. The Puffy satisfies that part of us that needs to be replenished. We enter the doors thinking we need great tasting food. We leave knowing we got served up so much more.

Puffy Muffin is our warm, friendly place we can always go to and know we will be cared for and served what we need - isn't that what home is?"

Teresa N. Miller
President and CEO, Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce

The Puffy Muffin could be successful in New York, Los Angeles, or any city in America. It is the most upscale lunch and breakfast place in Brentwood, perhaps in all of Middle Tennessee. I have been a customer for years and the food quality and presentation as well as the service has just been superb. The new restaurants in the area are just competing for those customers that have yet to discover "The Puffy Muffin."

M. Porter Maxwell, CLU
TRUSTCORE

The Puffy Muffin has been in business for over twenty years, and we are proud to say that we have been a service to them during that time. They have always built their business through their customers. Puffy Muffin has continuously demanded the highest quality of products and services.

There are many dining choices available, and the Puffy Muffin stands as one of the greats in the food service business, not only for meeting but exceeding the expectations of their diners. Operational excellence, and their commitment and pledge to great service set them apart. This allows them to be a unique part in the market.

From time to time there is cost of product inflation and low cost alternatives are available. The Puffy Muffin stands by its specifications and is willing to pay a little more to maintain the quality and not yield to a low cost option. Product source, quality and food service are very important to the Puffy Muffin. They use many of the same menu items and recipes that they started the business with. Many of the same staff still provide the same great service. They continue to grow their concept today. Not only does the Puffy Muffin pride itself on the quality of its food and service, but the cleanliness of the operation shows the pride and expectations for their customers.

Nick Taras
President and CEO, Robert Orr Sysco

CONGRATULATIONS! on the first place for Best Bakery in The Toast of Music City 2008. That is terrific and well deserved. I travel Franklin Road a lot and always smile when I go by Puffy Muffin… if the store is open, the parking lot is always full in front of your store. I came in on a recent Saturday morning to buy pickles. It was a pleasure to see everyone enjoying their breakfasts and looking at the pastries and cakes before they left. There's lots of temptation at the cake and pastry counters!

Diane Sylvis, IOM
Vice President Membership, Brentwood Chamber of Commerce