
Recognized across the industry for making a difference as a company within our community
Proud, Humble and Motivated
Weโve been privileged to receive many awards through the years, but it only encourages us to move forward as a company and continue to make a difference however we can. Whether itโs our work in the community through respected charities or our relationships with suppliers and business partners, Antunes is proud to make a difference at every level.

Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award
2024
Antunes is honored with the Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award at McDonaldโs Worldwide Convention in Barcelona, Spain.
Awards & Recognition
Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award โ 2024
Antunes is honored with the Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award at McDonaldโs Worldwide Convention in Barcelona, Spain.
SCARCEโs Earth and Water Flag โ 2022
Antunes received SCARCEโs Earth and Water Flag for efforts in conserving resources, creating a healthy environment and commitment to clean water. SCARCE recognized Antunes with the Earth and Water Flag upon the completion of a SCARCE provided assessment, passing a validation audit and accomplishing the training of more than 75% of the Antunesโ team members.
Water Quality Associationโs Excellence Award โ 2022
WQAโs Excellence Award was awarded to Antunes in the manufacturer/supplier category. The Excellence Award is given to organizations who excel in their operations, innovation, customer service or community involvement.
NOODLES & COMPANYโs Construction Vendor of the Year โ 2021
Noodles & Company recognized Antunes for Antunesโ ability to develop a custom Rapid Steamer which reduced cook times by half in all restaurants and awarded Antunes with the 2021 Construction Vendor of the Year award.
Antunes named one of Chicagoโs Top Workplaces 2019 by the Chicago Tribune
Antunes ranked 27th out of the companies in the midsize category (250-999 employees). Antunes has placed in the Chicagoโs Top Workplaces five times since 2011.
2019 NRA Kitchen Innovation Award
2020 Antunes wins Top Workplaces Award in Top 3 Manufacturers in USA
The award recognizes excellence in workplace culture and organizational performance, measuring employee engagement across 24 comprehensive metrics. Additionally, Antunes received special mention in the categories of Communication and Innovation.
Top Workplace USA Award 2021 and Top Workplace Reginal Award won 2021
Top Workplace in 2022
Top Workplace USA Award 2021 and Top Workplace Reginal Award won 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
McDonaldโs Global Self-Managed Excellence Award โ 2018
Antunes received the Global Self-Managed Excellence Award from McDonaldโs at the 2018 Worldwide Convention on Wednesday, April 18. This award recognizes the overall excellence of the McDonaldโs partner who maintains consistent, high-quality services and support for McDonaldโs operations across the world.
Illinois Family Business of the Year โ 2017
Antunes was named the 2017 Illinois Family Business of the Year in the large company category by the Family Business Center at Loyola University Chicagoโs Quinlan School of Business. The Illinois Family Business of the Year Awards recognize companies headquartered in Illinois with a strong commitment to both business and family.
McDonaldโs Energy Leadership in Kitchen Equipment โ 2016
McDonaldโs presented Antunes with the Energy Leadership in Kitchen Equipment award for delivering innovation and energy savings with the rollout of a new toaster to the McDonaldโs system. The new toaster features an innovative design that reduces annual energy costs by $1,800 per unit, which resulted in millions of dollars in energy savings to the U.S. market.
Whataburger Leap of Faith Award โ 2015
Whataburger presented Antunes with the 2015 Leap of Faith Award, given to the supplier who has worked effectively and efficiently with Whataburger. Antunes and Whataburger began their partnership in 2011, with the operations team from Whataburger working closely with the Antunes sales, product development, and technical support teams to develop and deliver a new toasting solution for their restaurants.
McDonaldโs Partnership of the Year โ 2014
McDonaldโs recognized Antunes for providing the most significant impact and contribution to its worldwide system of 33,000 restaurants with its Partnership of the Year award for 2014. Handed out annually, this award is given to the company with the highest total score for all of the companyโs metrics, including owner/operator survey results, worldwide objectives, savings, innovation, and reliability data.
McDonaldโs Reliability of the Year Award โ 2014
McDonaldโs presented Antunes with the Reliability of the Year award for having the best reliability performance score within its system of 33,000 restaurants. We received this honor because of the exceptional quality and reliability data for all of our equipment in the companyโs system, including toasters, steamers, timers, and water filtration systems.
McDonaldโs Supplier of the Year โ 2012
McDonaldโs recognized Antunes for providing the most significant impact and contribution to its worldwide system of 33,000 restaurants with its Supplier of the Year award. Handed out annually, this award is given to the company with the highest total score for all of the companyโs metrics, including owner/operator survey results, worldwide objectives, savings, innovation, and reliability data.
McDonaldโs Reliability of the Year Award โ 2012
McDonaldโs presented Antunes with the Reliability of the Year award for having the best reliability performance score within its system of 33,000 restaurants. The Reliability of the Year award was one of three awards won by Antunes in 2012. We received this honor because of the exceptional quality and reliability data for all of our equipment in the companyโs system, including toasters, steamers, timers, and water filtration systems.
McDonaldโs Innovation of the Year Award โ 2012
McDonaldโs presented Antunes with the Innovation of the Year award based on performance scores within the entire companyโs system. The Innovation of the Year award was one of three awards given to Antunes in 2012. We received this honor because of the release, development, and enhancement of several bun and muffin toasters to improve overall quality and service for the companyโs restaurants worldwide.
McDonaldโs India Equipment Quality Award โ 2016
McDonaldโs presented this award to Antunes for providing the best equipment and support to the 250 restaurants in India. The companyโs presence in India has grown considerably since the first restaurant opened in 1998, and Antunes has been a key supplier for bun toasters, muffin toasters, egg grills, and water filtration systems.
Wendyโs Golden Link Award โ 2011
Antunes received this award for the development and release of a bun toaster in conjunction with Wendyโs new Daveโs Hot โN Juicy cheeseburger in 2011. Antunes worked closely with Wendyโs to develop a new rapid toaster and ship multiple units to every store in the Wendyโs system in time for the burgerโs nationwide release.
McDonaldโs China Best Supporting Company โ 2011
Thanks to our international expansion, Antunes set up its first overseas manufacturing operation in China in 2003 to provide improved service to the growing Asian markets. Our presence in Asia has grown considerably since then, and in 2011, Antunes was recognized for providing the best support to the companyโs system in China.
Arbyโs Red Hat Supplier Achievement Award โ 2010
This award was presented to recognize select suppliers for their superior levels of service and support to the entire Arbyโs system. For more than 10 years, Antunes has provided Arbyโs restaurants with high-quality equipment, including steamers, bun toasters, and timers.
McDonaldโs Worldwide Partnership of Excellence โ 2009
Voted on by every area of the world in the McDonaldโs system, the Partnership of Excellence was one of only three awards presented at their bi-annual worldwide summit. Antunes received this award because of our involvement in the companyโs equipment supplier council, water filtration standards, and supplier evaluation process as well as our development of a new tabletop steamer.