Get to know Gary Fechter of Wegmans Food Markets, a PFMA board member. Wegmans is a longtime PFMA member and Corporate Leadership Sponsor.
Tell us about your current role and what you do.
As the Senior Vice President/Regional Manager for the Pennsylvania/Delaware Region, I am responsible for18 current stores, with our 19th under construction in Cranberry Township, PA, opening Fall, 2027. I am responsible for everything that happens in our Region, from ensuring our employees are well cared for and thriving, our customers are happy and enjoying shopping with us, and our stores are operationally excellent and deliver consistent financial results. We have over 7600 employees in our Region and I work with a team of 31 people that support our stores.
How did you get started in the Food and Beverage Industry?
My first job in F&B was in college at the University of Florida. I started as a Prep Cook at a new Ruby Tuesday restaurant that was opening. I progressed from making baked potatoes to working the line, bussing tables, waiting tables and tending bar. That led me to a Server/Bartender role at Chili’s which is where my fascination with F&B began. When I graduated college with a degree in Finance I took a job with a bank in West Palm Beach, Florida, where I stayed 4 years, before finding my way back into restaurants. I was recruited to Boston Chicken (Market) when I was working at the bank, by my former manager from Chili’s. I started as an Assistant Manager and worked my way up through operations to become a Regional Manager. I spent 9 years there and then had great opportunities to open and lead markets and restaurants for Panera Bread and Qdoba Mexican Grill before making a stop at Blockbuster Video where I was a Regional Director of Operations in Florida. From there I was VP of Operations for Romano’s Macaroni Grill involved in the brand turnaround, resulting in the sale of the brand to a private equity group. That led me to Wegmans 13 years ago and my relocation from South Florida to Philadelphia
What do you enjoy most about the work you do?
Originally, I enjoyed working in restaurants and F&B because so many of people’s important moments happen over a meal or at the kitchen table. Having been able to be a part of customer’s breaking bread on happy occasions such as first dates, engagements, baby announcements, graduations, etc. is so meaningful. Additionally, being able to provide a good meal and some comfort at life’s most trying moments is just as important. So many of our life moments happen with food, I’ve always felt it an honor to be a part of people’s lives with our food. As my career progressed, I have been fortunate to work with so many great mentors and have had the opportunity to give that back to my employees. It is a privilege to be able to provide a workplace and meaningful work for people to start and grow their careers. As I am later in my career, I believe it is my responsibility to develop the leaders of tomorrow and ensure every employee finds their work impactful and meaningful. Pablo Picasso’s most famous quote is “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” I get to do this every day in my job.
What’s one lesson you’ve learned during your career that has stuck with you?
Humility. Regardless of our roles, we are all just people, working hard, balancing our time with our families and finding ways to contribute our unique abilities to our work. Every employee plays a specific, powerful part of the success of our stores and our company and any decision made affects them all. Our employees are the most important part of our business and my focus is to ensure they are thriving. If I didn’t show up for work tomorrow, the stores would open as usual and operate fine. If all of our employees didn’t show up tomorrow, I couldn’t operate all of our stores by myself. They are the reason for our success.
What industry issue or trend are you watching most closely?
One of the most watched trends today is the introduction and impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and how it can save people time. While AI won’t be able to smile at a customer, walk them to an item they are looking for, or offer them a sample of a new item, it can help us save administrative time which will allow us more time to spend with employees and customers.
What do you wish more people understood about your company or industry?
Sometimes people think Wegmans is expensive because we have large, beautiful, vibrant stores and our stores have 400+ employees. We have incredible values in our Wegmans Brand items, as well other items throughout our stores. While our selection is large, there are also unique items that may not be available anywhere else, plus we have a focus on helping customers make delicious meals easy. We offer the best of all worlds – value, choice, and convenience options. Also, our customers tell us we are a friendly, happy place to shop, but are also an incredible place to work. The work done in retail grocery is hard, and happens around the clock, seven days a week. It’s not easy. We value and care for our employees tremendously, and offer opportunities to learn and grow in a way that anyone can create an entire career here. Many of our leaders started at 15 or 16 as a cashier and Wegmans has been their only job.
Why did you decide to get involved with PFMA?
Wegmans was already involved with the PFMA when I joined the company. However, I remain involved with the PFMA because of the partnership it provides for all of us in retail grocery. Navigating the regulatory, legal and political impacts of Pennsylvania can be tricky but PFMA helps us have a voice in the things that impact us today and tomorrow.
What value has PFMA brought to you or your company?
There are so many important, impactful things going on in our industries and the PFMA brings all of our voices together to support alignment and impact. I rely on the PFMA to learn about issues that might impact our business that I may not be aware of, and for support in navigating issues we may want to tackle. Additionally, the PFMA brings together like minded people and I have made many industry contacts/friends as a result of our membership in PFMA.
What’s something your colleagues might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m a pretty open book… I’m a big Florida Gators fan, I learned tennis a few years ago and I really enjoy cycling. I take immense pride in watching my boys do what they love. My oldest, Noah, is a high school physics teacher and plays lead guitar in a band. My youngest, Nate, is still in college and is a lacrosse goalie. If you’re looking for a fun fact that most people don’t know about me, I’ll share that in college, I was in a TV commercial for a car dealership in Florida where I wore a gorilla suit.
What are you most excited about for the future?
So much has changed in our business in the last few years with the expansion of eCommerce, AI, and our customers all looking for help, health and value in the items we offer. I am most excited to see how our younger employees and leaders grow to find new ways to take care of customers and each other. Every day I am encouraged by our youngest leaders and cannot wait to see all the great things they will create. The future is so bright! ■