FAMILY WORKS: Henderson Family Enterprises

Henderson Family Enterprises is a Southwest Louisiana family business that has been operating for more than 55 years.

During that time, the company has continued to evolve as opportunities, industries, customers and communities have changed.

What began as a local business has grown into a diversified family enterprise with operations in retail, wholesale distribution, foodservice distribution, storage, real estate and other business interests. Today, Henderson Family Enterprises has approximately 100 associates and generates roughly $80 million in annual revenue.

One of the most important parts of Henderson’s story is their willingness to enter very different businesses when they believe they can add value to customers. They have learned that the product or industry may change. Still, the basic principles of a successful business do not change: take care of your customers, develop good people, provide dependable service, adapt to change and do what you say you will do.

Today, Henderson Wholesale supports approximately 1,400 Hunt Brothers Pizza locations across Louisiana and Texas. Henderson Distributing is also developing the Big Easy Hot Food Convenience Store program.

A Family Business

Family is at the center of Henderson Family Enterprises, but being family does not replace accountability, responsibility or performance.

Chuck, president, and Karen Henderson remain actively involved in the company. The next generation has significant operating responsibilities.

Tyler Henderson leads Henderson Wholesale.

Lance Hurt serves as COO of Henderson Family Enterprises and oversees Henderson Distributing, including the Big Easy Hot Food Convenience Store program, as well as the retail division.

Kelly Hurt leads the storage division.

Tyler’s wife, Kelly Henderson, is also very active in the family business and holds board-level responsibilities on the Henderson family board.

Just as vital, Henderson Family Enterprises has non-family leaders and associates who play critical roles throughout the organization. Henderson does not believe a successful family company can be built around the family alone. It must be built around the right people, clear responsibilities, accountability, trust and shared values. Their approximately 100 associates are what make these businesses work.

Local Impact

Community involvement is also an important part of how Henderson defines growth and success. Through their Community Care A Van, associates participate in more than 50 nonprofit and community events each year. They provide and cook pizza at these events to help organizations raise money, support their programs or serve people in the community.

Giving back is important to the Henderson family and the company because these communities have supported Henderson Family Enterprises for more than five decades. “We believe we have a responsibility to support them in return,” Chuck Henderson says. “That connects directly to our vision: ‘To make a positive impact every day by delivering an unforgettable experience to our customers, team members and community.’”

Henderson’s goal for the future is not growth simply for the sake of getting bigger. Those behind the scenes want to build a healthy company that can successfully continue from one generation to the next.

Henderson continues to seek responsible opportunities to expand; add customers; develop new products and services; improve existing businesses; and invest in technology, artificial intelligence, improved systems, training, leadership development and succession planning.

“We don’t simply want to pass businesses on from one generation to the next,” Chuck says. “We want to pass along a healthy organization, strong values, capable leaders and a responsibility to make it better. For us, building a successful company means having the resources, people and willingness to give something back to the communities that have supported us for more than five decades.”