Surcheros wins top honor at annual Chamber of Commerce gala

Published 6:11 pm Monday, June 17, 2024

Make it two years in a row now that a former Rising Star winner has been named the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year.

Surcheros Fresh Mex restaurant, in business since July 2020, was presented with the award at the Chamber gala held Saturday inside the Magnolia Ballroom. 

“We’re very humbled by it and at the same time, it’s very exciting to receive the award,” said Kyle Cullars, owner of Milledgeville Surcheros. “I think it’s great for our team to be recognized for its hard work. The entire team is a great bunch of people that works really hard day in and day out. I think a lot of the time they don’t get this type of recognition, so it’s nice validation to them that the work they do is being seen and noticed.”

Surcheros is a franchised restaurant serving up Tex-Mex favorites like burritos, tacos, nachos, quesadillas and salads. The Surcheros brand got its start in Douglas, Georgia, in 2007 and began franchising a decade later. The chain prides itself on fresh ingredients as there is no freezer on site, the owner recently told the newspaper. 

Cullars and his wife Debbie opened the Milledgeville location while the COVID-19 pandemic was raging, but that didn’t stop the community from welcoming the new restaurant with open arms. After two years in operation, Surcheros was presented with the local Chamber’s Rising Star Award, given annually to a business that shows potential to win Small Business of the Year once it meets the three-year threshold as a Chamber member. 

Surcheros is the second consecutive business to win both awards. Citizens Bank of the South pulled off the feat last year. 

Other contenders for 2024 Small Business of the Year were Edward Jones: Financial Advisor – Crystal Law, Hinton Construction and OrthoGeorgia. 

Nominees must meet several different criteria in order to be named a Small Business of the Year finalist and winner. They have to have been in business and be in good standing with the local Chamber for three consecutive years, have 50 or fewer employees, demonstrate growth in select categories, and show evidence of outstanding community involvement and contribution. Other criteria include sustainability, business integrity, and adaptation. Serving as the award selection committee are members of the Chamber executive board, the last three Small Business of the Year winners, and two current chamber executives from neighboring communities.

“It was a very nice surprise,” Cullars said. “There were several great finalists that were all well-deserving.”

Small Business of the Year is one of several awards presented at the Chamber gala each year. There’s also the Rising Star Award, which Surcheros had received in 2022. 

This year’s winner was Morning Grind coffee shop located near the Georgia College & State University campus at the corner of West Montgomery and North Columbia streets. Opened in October of 2022, Morning Grind is owned by husband-and-wife duo Bridgette and Jared Smith. Once it reaches three years as a Chamber member, the coffee shop will become one to watch for future Small Business of the Year awards.

The Chamber also announced its Ambassador of the Year, Cynthia Harrell of The Briary. Ambassadors volunteer their time at Chamber events and inform members of Chamber benefits and happenings. 

The Making a Difference in Milledgeville award is given annually to a local nonprofit organization recognized for its standout work in the community. This year’s honor went to Keep Milledgeville-Baldwin Beautiful, an organization that educates the public on the negative effects of litter while also encouraging beautification efforts. 

After years of inactivity, KMBB has made a big splash since its formal relaunch in late 2023.