August 12, 2010 – Lafrance Hospitality Company based in Westport, Massachusetts, has been named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2010 New England and Massachusetts Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Small Business award winner according to an announcement made by Bob Nelson, Massachusetts SBA District Director.
The Family-Owned Small Business of the Year Award is presented annually to a family-owned and operated business with a 15-year track recored that has been passed on from at least one generation to another.
This nomination package was evaluated using the following criteria: (1) Evidence of success as measured by sales and profits. (2) Increased employment opportunities for family and non-family members. (3) Demonstrated potential for long-term business success and economic growth. (4) Voluntary efforts to strengthen family-owned businesses within the community. Melinda Ailes, regional director, Southeast Regional Office, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network nominated Lafrance Hospitality for this award.
Founded in 1955 by Roland “Aime” and Rita Lafrance as a nine stool diner, Lafrance Hospitality is now a multu-division company operated a number of restaurants and hotels in New England under the direction of their son, Richard. Amon the businesses operated by Lafrance Hospitality are the restauranted/banquet facilities, Whites of Westport, Bittersweet Farm Restaurant & Tavern, Rachel’s Lakeside and Christian’s Catering. Lafrance also owns or manages several hotels in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
“Lafrance Hospitality definitely fits the bill of the Family-Owned Business of the Year. In business for 55 years and serving thousands of customers weekly, White’s of Westport is one of the most well known family restaurants in the state,” said Nelson.