‘Best of West’ LongHorn manager right here in Warwick

Posted 9/3/13

Lynn Traupman, managing partner of the LongHorn Steakhouse at 400 Bald Hill Road, has been honored for a job well done.

The hard-working Cranston resident received the company’s top …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

‘Best of West’ LongHorn manager right here in Warwick

Posted

Lynn Traupman, managing partner of the LongHorn Steakhouse at 400 Bald Hill Road, has been honored for a job well done.

The hard-working Cranston resident received the company’s top leadership distinction, the Best of the West award, at an annual awards banquet and manager’s conference last month in Dallas, Texas. She was presented a trophy along with a Bohlin watch. A LongHorn veteran of 12 years, she is one of four managing partners selected for the distinction from more than 430 LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants in North America.

“I was so excited and shocked,” she said. She was nominated by Director of Operations Stephen Scott

The award recognizes managing partners who consistently demonstrate leadership by achieving top financial results, developing managers and team members and ensuring that guests always enjoy LongHorn’s food and service.

According to a press release, Traupman’s recognition is a result of her dedication to excellence and commitment to the “LongHorn way.” She has a passion for talent development and takes pride in helping team members grow into management roles. In her time with the company, she has trained more than 20 team members, 10 of which are in management roles.

“Lynn embodies our core values and greatly contributes to LongHorn’s culture,” Executive Vice President of Operations for LongHorn Steakhouse Rick Cardenas said in the release. “She puts a tremendous amount of effort into her work and is tireless when it comes to ensuring our guests have a memorable LongHorn experience. For all of these reasons, Lynn is extremely deserving of LongHorn’s Best of the West award.”

Traupman enjoys being part of the staff. Her co-workers are rare finds, she said, as they portray teamwork every day not only for the benefit of one another but also for their customers.

“They are passionate about serving our guests, and it makes me very proud to be part of that team,” Traupman said.

She attributes the award to her employees, along with her supportive management and leadership team. The LongHorn culture, she said, is what sets them apart from other establishments. Together, they follow LongHorn’s core values. The restaurant, a division of Darden Restaurants, Inc., the world’s largest full-service restaurant operating company, prides itself on hiring “great” people and setting clear expectations for employees. Managers provide regular feedback and celebrate stellar performances, as they believe in continuous improvement and getting better day by day and shift by shift.

They also treat each other, along with clientele, with dignity, respect, honesty and integrity. This year, Darden was named to the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for the third year in a row and is the only full-service restaurant company to ever appear on the list.

“We are good business citizens,” said Traupman, who has worked for Darden for more than 21 years and has been at the Bald Hill Road location since 2001. “We follow the law and positively contribute to our community. I’m thankful for the great management team and wonderful team members that make my location successful.”

Justin Kelly, one of LongHorn’s line cooks, praised Traupman. Of all the restaurants he’s worked for, he said, she is by far the best boss he’s had.

“I’ve been there for a while now and working for Lynn has been great,” said Kelly. “She definitely deserves the award.”

Aside from enjoying her job, Traupman also enjoys the food. Two of her favorite items on the menu include the Outlaw Rib Eye, an 18-once steak on the bone, and the white cheddar and bacon stuffed filet. The signature side dish is Steakhouse macaroni and cheese.

“And I always tells people to save room for our chocolate stampede,” she said of a cake that’s baked with seven different chocolates. “It’s big enough to share with two or three – or four – people.”

Her children, Ashley, 26, and Joseph, 21, often dine at the restaurant. While Ashley loves the steak tips grilled with onions and mushrooms, Joseph prefers juicy burgers.

“My family is so proud of me,” Traupman said. “They know I’m very passionate about what I do and they are very supportive.”

She is also grateful for the support of the local community.

“Without their support, I wouldn’t be receiving the honor in the first place,” Traupman said.

LongHorn is committed to making a difference in the lives of others in the local community, as restaurants participate in the Darden Harvest program, which has donated more than 60 million pounds of food to food banks across the country.

When she’s not at work, Traupman can typically be found in her kitchen. But she never snags recipes from LongHorn, as Italian food is frequently on her menu.

“It sounds kind of cliché, but my passion at home is cooking,” she said. “I love entertaining guests at my house.”

For more information about LongHorn Steakhouse visit www.longhornsteakhouse.com.

Comments

1 comment on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here

  • tristanfraker

    Congratulations Lynn! Knowing you as I do, I am not at all surprised you would receive accolades such as this. I wish you further success and all the best. David M.

    Wednesday, April 30, 2014 Report this