Journal / Hospitality Retention
Notes for the room.
Practical thinking on burnout, retention, management, and the conditions that make good people stay.
How to Set the Culture Before You Set the Tables (don’t wait until you’re in the weeds to figure this out)
You’ve got the menu locked. The vendors confirmed. The team hired. But there’s one thing most operators forget before opening. And it’ll shape your culture faster than anything else. I’ve watched openings go sideways. Not because of the food.Not because of the service.Not because of the build-out. Because no […]
When the Season Gets Heavy: A Christmas Reflection for the Industry That Never Rests
I still remember the Christmas I got fired. The lights were twinkling, the music was soft, the dining room smelled like cinnamon and pine… and I was walking out the back door with my apron in my hand, trying not to cry. No goodbye. No warning. No “thanks for your work.” Just […]
How to Support Your Team in a System That Was Never Built to Support Them
If you’ve been in hospitality long enough, you’ve probably felt it, the sense that we’re all navigating challenges no one prepared us for. Not managers. Not owners. Not HR. Not leadership. This isn’t a people problem. It’s a systems problem. And for the first time in a long time, the industry is […]
Shift Change: The 15-Minute Habit That Can Cut Turnover in Half
Most restaurants treat shift change like a relay race handoff. Quick. Efficient. Get it done. But what if those ten minutes before service and five minutes after could cut your turnover in half? I’ve witnessed it transform an entire culture by changing two things: How the team started their shift. How […]
This Is Your Sign to Breathe
Content inspired by our quarterly WORTHshop with Kimberly Flear Do you ever get that feeling that, from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed, you’ve been holding your breath all day long? The day starts with a list. You’re juggling walking the dog, unloading the dishwasher, throwing in laundry, […]
When Support Depends on The Struggle
I heard a powerful story this week that stopped me in my tracks. A manager in our industry was diagnosed with cancer. The team rallied around him. They pulled together care packages. Sent cards and messages. They checked in while he went through treatment. They made sure he felt […]
The Hidden Tab No One’s Calculating (and how to close it for good)
Everyone in hospitality talks about “the cost of doing business.” But no one’s talking about the cost of redoing it every damn week. When your team is in constant rotation, you’re not just losing time. You’re leaking money, morale, and momentum. And most operators are too busy surviving the shift to […]
The Culture Fix You Can’t Delegate: Why HR Needs a Different Kind of Training (Now More Than Ever)
Let’s be honest—HR has been handed the impossible. You’re expected to recruit, retain, resolve, and rebuild morale… while navigating burnout, rising mental health challenges, and substance use struggles that most teams are completely unprepared for. The problem isn’t your leadership. It’s the playbook you’ve been handed. And if no one has […]
How to Build a Thriving Restaurant Team Without Burning Out
The restaurant industry is a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Between juggling peak-hour service, meeting customer expectations, and managing operations, it’s no surprise that burnout, turnover, and disengagement are common challenges. But what if there was a way to build a team that thrives—without sacrificing your own well-being in the process? The key lies in creating a […]
The Untold Costs of Ignoring Mental Health in Hospitality
In the high-stakes world of hospitality, we pride ourselves on our resilience. We’re the masters of multitasking, the wizards of table turns, and the champions of late nights. But behind the polished service and forced smiles lies an industry grappling with a silent crisis. It’s time to address the elephant in the room: the stigma […]
The Truth About Restaurant Life
Some days I felt like giving up. Does anyone really care? What’s the point? These questions echo in my mind, as I reflect on my time in the restaurant industry. The truth is, these aren’t just idle musings—they are the ghosts of a life lived on the edge of chaos, addiction, and burnout. But they’re […]
Why Restaurant Staff Shouldn’t Get Staff Drinks at Work
It’s crucial for the health of your business, the well-being of your staff, and the satisfaction of your customers to keep after-work socializing off-premises.
A Compassionate Look at Addiction in Hospitality: Navigating the Challenges with Empathy
In the fast-paced world of hospitality, where every moment counts and the pressure is on, it’s important to pause and consider the challenges faced by our colleagues battling addiction. Behind the scenes, in the kitchens, bars, and hotel rooms, a silent struggle often unfolds—one that calls for our understanding, empathy, and support. Imagine a […]
LAST CALL! Leave Before the Party’s Over
The hospitality industry, where the lights never dim and the energy never wanes. It’s a world inhabited by some of the most remarkable individuals on this planet—those who thrive in the chaos, master the off-hours, and dedicate themselves to exceeding the expectations of others. The pursuit of delivering top-class experiences is in your blood, and […]