Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/591462
1 6 | B U L L D O G | 2 0 1 5 V 3 AT WORK Because every minute counts toward the bottom line, McGhee had 250-300 gallon fuel tanks installed, minimizing the frequency of fuel stops. And he had one more request: He wanted his drivers to be as happy and comfortable as possi- ble. The cabs are equipped with microwaves, televisions, satellite radios, GPS navigation and even PlayStations. "They've got a ton of bells and whistles on those trucks," Fite says. "It's unusual for someone to pay that much attention, but McGhee didn't mind paying extra for lots of small options to keep his drivers happy." Happy drivers mean low turnover and recruiting costs and greater customer satis- faction. His drivers are proud to drive the fl ashy, bright yellow trucks with the canine theme. A massive red paw is emblazoned on the hood, right behind the Mack Bulldog. The trailers are built by Great Dane and feature the Great Dane logo on the rear door, along with a large dog silhouette and the word, "Woof!" The sides feature more silhouettes of dogs. The positive brand image extends to cus- tomers who say they like the trucks so much that they take photographs when they see them on the road, tagging Hollywood Feed on social media. "The trucks are a nice adjunct to the busi- ness," McGhee says. "They get a lot of atten- tion. Our trucks are the nicest on the road." As the company grows, McGhee antici- pates adding more Macks to the fl eet and appreciates his relationship with his dealer. "Mack handles the whole fl eet maintenance equation," he says. "We don't even think about it. We don't have any mechanics on staff. We entrust Mack with the service and care." McGhee focuses instead on how to grow his company, coming up with new ways to delight pet owners and improve the lives of their animals. A different breed The company's tagline is "A different breed," and McGhee personally over- sees every product they sell and is constantly seeking fun and innovative solutions for his growing clientele. They have had great suc- cess with the Mississippi Made line of dog beds, and they are now making collars and leashes from the left- over bedding material. McGhee's main focus is improving the lives and well-being of companion animals, and employee education is a critical component. Each of the company's 250 employees starts out with 80 hours of training in animal nutrition and health, taught by vet- erinarians, researchers and nutritionists, and they receive an additional 40 hours of instruc- tion per year. And they are not just spouting textbook knowledge either. Each employee receives up to 500 pounds of food per month, with Hollywood Feed providing food for around 1,200 employ- ee-owned dogs. Their pets are allowed free rein in the store, with sometimes as many as 20 dogs roaming the building, act- ing as four-legged ambassadors. "We believe in our product," McGhee says. "We buy it, we feed it, we support it. We have a passion for pets." That passion extends to the community, with Hollywood Feed donating a signifi cant amount of time and money to charitable causes, from animal adoptions to providing free doghouses and straw for dogs left out- side in the cold Tennessee winters. Outsiders might expect such largesse to be costly — and it is — but through hard work and business savvy, Hollywood Feed should continue to grow for decades to come. "God blessed me with the ability to absorb and understand where opportunities may lie," McGhee says. "We think about the business at a level I don't think many companies do. We focus always on quality. We want to be the best." "The trucks are a nice adjunct to the business. They get a lot of attention. Our trucks are the nicest on the road." Shawn McGhee, president of Hollywood Feed An array of pet products — many sourced locally — greets customers at Hollywood Feed in Memphis, Tenn.