Arthur T. Demoulas might be among the most popular CEOs of all time.
When the head of Boston grocery chain Market Basket was fired following a family dispute, several members of his executive team also quit in protest.
Thousands of his workers have also mobilized to protest his firing.
What makes Demoulas so popular?
"He takes care of people, he cares more about people than money, he walks among associates and customers," Tom Trainor, an employee of 41 years who was fired Sunday for his role in the protests, told Business Insider. "He knows your name, your wife's name, your husband's name, what school your kids go to."
Trainor rose from bagger to district supervisor during his career at Market Basket.
He said that Demoulas is a great businessman, doubling profits in his eight years as CEO of the company.
"If associate or member of their family was seriously ill, he would personally make sure they received proper medical care," Trainor said. "He went more than the extra mile."
"He shook hands, he attended store openings, he was proud of what everyone accomplished instead of taking credit for himself," Pamela DeSantis White, whose father worked at Market Basket for more than 40 years, told Business Insider.
Demoulas was a fixture in his workers' lives, even attending family weddings and funerals.
"Not many people can say their boss does that," White said.
Market Basket workers rally for fired CEO’s reinstatement ... http://t.co/4s22ESEUfU pic.twitter.com/4OhO0AwZ6B
— Boston Herald (@bostonherald) July 18, 2014Things have gotten so bad at Market Basket that store shelves are bare.
Tewksbury Market Basket opened at 7 AM. True to form, much of the produce section is empty. #WCVB pic.twitter.com/SGhnmUHFrO
— Jim Lokay #WCVB (@LokayWCVB) July 22, 2014Even customers and politicians have gotten involved, staging boycotts until he is reinstated. Eight employees have lost their jobs for their roles in organizing protests.
Demoulas was also instrumental in giving workers benefits that are almost unheard of in the grocery industry, according to Boston.com. Employees enjoy profit-sharing and bonuses.
"Receiving profit-sharing made workers extremely loyal and aware of wastefulness," former employee Christopher Ward told Business Insider. "It's about more than liking Demoulas as a person...employees are grateful for what he does for them."
Ratings on Glassdoor also praise the flexible schedules and room for advancement.
Ward, who started bagging groceries when he was just 14, said that Demoulas made a point to frequent stores and talk with workers.
In a petition pleading for Demoulas' return, the grocery store employees said they are worried that the new managers won't advocate for them.
"Mr. Demoulas has provided for our family, and we will never forget it," John Sevastis, who has worked at Market Basket for decades, told The Boston Globe.
Demoulas spoke about his firing for the first time Monday to defend the eight employees who have lost their jobs for protesting.
"This is not about me. It is about the people who have proven their dedication over many years and should not have lost their jobs because of it," Demoulas said in a statement to MyFoxBoston.
Trainor said Market Basket is expected to discuss Demoulas' employment at a board meeting Friday.
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