Ann Katz Festival: Micheline Maynard

Certain businesses become legendary, exerting immeasurable influence on their partners and competitors. Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor, Michigan is one of those places. The original deli has grown into a community of more than a dozen businesses, turning Ann Arbor into a destination for food lovers.

Founded in 1982 by Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig, Zingerman’s built on its mission of good food, good service and good finances to become a company whose reach spans all corners of the gourmet food world. Modeled on the classic Jewish delis Saginaw and Weinzweig grew up with, Zingerman’s became famous for its generous deli sandwiches, crusty bread and flavorful coffee, all produced in Ann Arbor. But beyond being a place to eat, Zingerman’s also spread its gospel of joyful customer service and employee equity across the business world. As Zingerman’s approaches its 40th anniversary in 2022, Satisfaction Guaranteed by Micheline Maynard tells readers how they did it, and how other businesses can adopt their methods and philosophies.

Micheline Maynard is a journalist, author, and professor. She is a contributing columnist at The Washington Post, where her essays on business and culture appear in “Voices Across America.” She has been a senior editor at NPR’s Here & Now and was a senior correspondent and Detroit bureau chief for The New York Times. She also writes for The Takeout, Medium, and the Ann Arbor Observer.

This is a Jewish Book Council program. Maynard will be in conversation with local restaurant owner and philanthropist Martha Hoover.