“You do right, because it’s the right thing to do.”
– Ted Castle, Owner
In 1981, Rhino Foods began as a small ice cream shop, Chessy’s Frozen Custard. The founders, Ted and Anne Castle, continue to own and operate the business out of Burlington, Vermont, employing over 250 people.
From the beginning, Ted’s desire to own a company that develops its employees, has a positive impact on the community, and shares innovative workplace practices has set the course of our growth and our culture. Over time this evolved into our Purpose and Principles:
Purpose: To impact the manner in which business is done.
Community Principle: We commit time, energy, and financial resources to improve social and environmental conditions. Our actions are intended to create a ripple effect of caring and involvement that influence first ourselves and then others.
Customer/Supplier Principle: We continually strive to delight our customers and partner with our suppliers, building strong relationships that are aligned with each other’s long-term success.
Employee Principle: We establish relationships with our employees and their families founded upon a climate of mutual trust and respect within an environment for listening and personal expression. We provide a vehicle for our people to develop and achieve their personal and professional aspirations.
Finance Principle: We emphasize long-term financial health in order to invest in our employees, customers, and community.
These aren’t just words on a wall these are the foundation of our living culture. You’ll often hear someone ask in a meeting, “Is this the right thing to do?” We all know this is shorthand for, “Is this the right thing to do for us, our customers, our suppliers and our community?”
