Martin Bros. Distributing

09/04/2026

Pumpkin spice isn't the only star this season. We've rounded up some Fall 2026 food and beverage holidays that are perfect for promoting. See what's coming up that you could draw inspiration from! 🍂

Fall features draw in new customers and encourage guests to try a unique or add-on dish or beverage. Check out these ideas!

09/03/2026

Congratulations, Jade! It's spots like Frannie's Cafe that make us proud to support Midwest eateries. What a gem to have in Onawa!

In honor of our 8th class of “40 Women To Watch” in Iowa’s hospitality industry, we’d like to introduce you to each of our 2026 honorees! Come celebrate these incredible women on October 19th. 🔗 https://zurl.co/VzknW

Jade Johnson is preserving a tradition that's becoming increasingly rare—the small-town café where everyone feels like family. As owner of Frannie's Cafe in downtown Onawa, named in honor of three generations of women sharing the family name Frances, Jade serves farmhouse-style meals "from our family's kitchen to your family's table." Under her leadership, Frannie's has become more than a popular breakfast and lunch destination. It's a gathering place where locals catch up over coffee, travelers happily leave the interstate for a home-cooked meal, and community always comes first. An active member of Onawa, Jade's dedication is legendary—she was still welcoming guests and running the café at 41 weeks pregnant.

09/03/2026

We love celebrating excellence in our backyard! Congratulations, Jackie! Years of hard work at every level are paying off. Fun to see all the creations at Montage!

In honor of our 8th class of “40 Women To Watch” in Iowa’s hospitality industry, we’d like to introduce you to each of our 2026 honorees! Come celebrate these incredible women on October 19th. 🔗 https://zurl.co/CyHyz

Jackie Gonzalez discovered hospitality while still in high school, beginning as a hostess and dishwasher before building her career to become Sous Chef at 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 a fine dining restaurant in Cedar Falls, where she helps lead the kitchen and creates seasonal menu features. She credits the hospitality industry with opening her eyes to new possibilities and inspiring her to keep learning every step of the way. Her nominator describes Jackie as "a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen." Jackie approaches each day in the kitchen as another opportunity to grow. Concludes Jackie, "Through the tough lessons, rough messes, early mornings, and the cuts, burns, scratches, and bruises, I've grown with every challenge and become the Sous Chef I am today."

09/03/2026

Embracing that Midwest spirit, Ellen! We are proud of our partnership with Milk & Honey! Confident Harlan has a special spot for years to come! Congratulations!

In honor of our 8th class of “40 Women To Watch” in Iowa’s hospitality industry, we’d like to introduce you to each of our 2026 honorees! Come celebrate these incredible women on October 19th. 🔗 https://zurl.co/oacvo

Ellen Walsh-Rosmann believes food does more than nourish people—it connects them. "Food brings people together, strengthens relationships, and builds community," she says. That belief has guided every step of her career. From her first job as a dishwasher to leading school nutrition programs, creating Iowa's largest food hub which connects farmers to schools, restaurants and communities, and founding Milk & Honey in Harlan, Ellen has remained committed to strengthening communities through food. Featured on Iowa PBS's Iowa Ingredient and Road Trip Iowa, Milk & Honey celebrates Iowa agriculture through locally sourced food and genuine hospitality. Whether working with farmers, mentoring her team, or welcoming guests to Milk & Honey, Ellen’s goal is the same: build stronger communities around the table.

09/03/2026

Congratulations, Bunny! Funny how foodservice pulls you in! We love hearing about the big impacts foodservice has on small communities like Baxter! Keep up the great work at Benola's Pub & Patio!

In honor of our 8th class of “40 Women To Watch” in Iowa’s hospitality industry, we’d like to introduce you to each of our 2026 honorees! Come celebrate these incredible women on October 19th. 🔗 https://zurl.co/5riNH

When Bunny Churchill and her husband moved to Baxter, they never imagined they'd own a restaurant. Then the opportunity arose, and, as Bunny puts it, "the hospitality industry chose me." Three years later, Benola's Pub & Patio has become a community gathering place where families celebrate milestones, neighbors connect, and no one spends Thanksgiving alone. With no previous restaurant experience, Bunny embraced every challenge and discovered a passion she never knew she had. Today, as Benola's expands into a bakery, catering, and events, she remains committed to the vision that started it all: "We wanted to create a space where all feel welcome."

09/03/2026

We love stories from those who have been there and have taken the lead for teams in foodservice. Congratulations, Ashley! This kind of vision makes Martini's Grille an experience!

In honor of our 8th class of “40 Women To Watch” in Iowa’s hospitality industry, we’d like to introduce you to each of our 2026 honorees! Come celebrate these incredible women on October 19th. 🔗 https://zurl.co/Fgv5j

Ashley Williams doesn't just train employees—she rethinks how hospitality is delivered. After joining Martini's Grille as a server, she recognized opportunities to improve the guest experience by replacing a decades-old service model with a collaborative team approach. Ashley designed new service standards, redefined front- and back-waiter responsibilities, and personally trained every employee, creating a culture where education and continuous improvement are part of every shift. Her leadership transformed the restaurant's service culture and, in 2025, earned her the opportunity to become a partner in the business. Ashley believes her greatest responsibility is helping every employee create memorable experiences for every guest who walks through the door.

09/02/2026

Great things happen when people take pride and ownership. Some of the most important contributions often happen behind the scenes to create a safer, cleaner and more welcoming workplace. At an ESOP company, every employee-owner plays a role in our success. Tony Wilson embodies that mindset every day.

09/01/2026

If you’re serving side-eye with your entrée, you’re gonna get that same energy back. 😬 Whether it’s the cafeteria, café, restaurant or literally anywhere people are being served, people come back for good experiences. So before you clock in with that grumpy era energy, do a quick vibe check. If your work bestie is spiraling, help them out. Does your staff pass the vibe test or deal out a stress test?

08/28/2026

From Inventory Control to IT and now as our SEO Analyst, Tory McBroom has helped our company grow, innovate and stay connected with customers in an ever-changing digital world. He played a key role in the successful redesign of our website, helping create a modern, accessible and customer-focused online experience. Help us thank and congratulate Tory on this milestone achievement! 🎉 👏