Member Blog

Like many of my CHART colleagues, I spend a good deal of time in our restaurants for events such as training sessions, product rollouts, and performance audits. Regardless of why I’m visiting, I strive to make it a quality experience that adds value to those Ivar’s locations, and I have found that there are 5 specific actions I can take that will greatly improve my chances of achieving that objective.

We’ve all been there. A reminder pops up on our computer for the interview we have in 15 minutes, and we spend the next 14 scrambling to find the application and remind ourselves what we’re hiring for. We may or may not have a job description, we may or may not have a place to sit and meet. When the candidate arrives, we ask about the best boss they’ve worked for (to make sure it’s someone like us) and have them describe why we should hire them instead of the other candidates. When that’s finished (phew!), we return to our desk feeling like we really accomplished something.

As a long-time CHART member, I often have conversations with other members about memorable CHART experiences. Sometimes we talk about our favorite breakout sessions, or hotels, or activities, and sometimes we talk about which conference we liked the most overall. That last one could be tough for me to answer because I’ve been to 26 conferences during my tenure in CHART and many of them have been exceptional.

Jason Hewlett was hilarious as the closing keynote at the recent San Antonio conference. CHART's own Kelly McCutcheon and Kirstie Johnson interview Jason about his powerful and entertaining message about keeping your promises to your audience, your family, and yourself.

What is keeping foodservice managers up at night? With the recent spotlight on sexual harassment, we find that our managers are concerned that they will not respond appropriately to a claim and potentially fail the needs of the employee and the legal obligation of the company. Here are 5 rules of thumb to help them navigate these sometimes murky waters.

People grow into the conversations you create around them. The best tool great leaders have to strengthen and empower others is powerful questions. Questions evoke curiosity. They force others to think. And, when answered well, allow others to take ownership of the process and responsibility for the outcomes.

It’s finally time, you’ve decided, for your company to set up a training department. Maybe you’ve been getting too many complaints about disappointing guest experiences, maybe you’ve determined the costs of outside consultants have gotten too expensive, or maybe you’d like to open a bunch of new locations and need the structure and talent pipeline to make it happen. Whatever the reason, you’re ready to establish an internal training division within your organization.

Change happens all the time, and change can be a good thing. Change brings opportunities for evolution, connection and growth. But keeping the team energized through continuous change can be challenging. Listen how Jason Lechner manages change with “Energy” during this brief CHART Talks.

With employee turnover rates at an all-time high and the labor market tighter than ever, hospitality organizations are constantly looking for ways to improve retention and attract new talent.

Your training department can deservedly feel an immense amount of satisfaction and accomplishment after completing the development of a new training program. When the objectives are crystal clear, the text passes spellcheck with flying colors, and the bullet points are perfectly lined up, all that remains is to hit the appropriate button (send/upload/print), and then it’s Miller time, right?

Limited Time Offers (LTOs) can be some of the most effective means of attracting new clients to your restaurant locations, as well as increasing your engagement with existing customers. They can also be an ingenious way to test out new menu items. However, if the offering is not effectively communicated across locations - and your front line is not prepared to execute - it will be difficult to see value!

CHART's own Gabe Hosler, Michele Lange, and Patrick Yearout are featured experts in this practical article by Ron Ruggless and Nation's Restaurant News on harassment prevention training.