Corona Chronicle #19: Human Resources/Communication with your employees is key- Carrie Luxem- Chicago, IL
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Release Date: 03/23/2020
1197: Samir Watter, COO of Layne’s Chicken Fingers
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Samir Watter is the COO at based in Dallas, TX. Samir joined Layne's in 2021 when there were only 7 total locations. Before that, he held impressive roles and big franchise companies like Denny's, where he worked for 10 years starting as AGM until heading the opening of 30 locations by the end of his tenure there. He also worked for La Salsa for 10 years as director of ops, where he opened 30 locations for that company as well. Today, Layne's has 25 locations and continues to grow. Join the TODAY! Restaurant Unstoppable - - Eric of Restaurant Unstoppable is now taking consultation and...
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1196: Thom Crosby, CEO of Pal’s Sudden Service
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Thom Crosby is the CEO of , HQ'd in Kingstwon, TN. Pal's Sudden Service was first opened in 1956 in Kingstown, TN. Thom came on board in 1981 to help them grow. Thom's experience prior to Pal's was in corporate McDonald's and corporate Long John Silvers, as well as a franchisee with Wendy's. Today Thom is the CEO of Pal's and the company has 31 locations. All but 2 Pal's locations are drive-thru only. Thom is a true believer and member of . David McClaskey was featured on the podcast, episode 1182, and you can learn more about him and his company here:...
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1195: Zane and Brandon Hunt, Co-Founders of VIA 313
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Zane and Brandon Hunt are the co-founders of . VIA 313 is a Detroit-style pizza chain. This is The Hunt Bros. third time on the show. They first joined us for episode 560 in 2018 and again in 2021 for episode 826. In 2021, they had 5 locations and today they have 24! Interested in as recommended by the Hunt Bros.? Check it out here: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/mcclaskey-institute Join the TODAY! Restaurant Unstoppable - - Eric of Restaurant Unstoppable is now taking consultation and coaching calls! Book a consultation today! Schedule your call to become UNSTOPPABLE! Check...
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1194: The Game of Restaurant Growth with Matthew Mabel
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Matthew Mabel is a consultant, advisor, coach and President of . Surrender is a hospitality and management-consulting firm based in Dallas, TX. Matthew was last on the show for episode 518! For this in-person workshop, Matthew will take the listeners through growing restaurants in three different major and specific phases of growth. Join the TODAY! Restaurant Unstoppable - - Eric of Restaurant Unstoppable is now taking consultation and coaching calls! Book a consultation today! Schedule your call to become UNSTOPPABLE! Check out the website for more details:...
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1193: Garrett Reed, CEO of Layne’s Chicken Fingers
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Garrett Reed is the CEO of . Garrett got his start in the real estate business right out of college as a site selector for Radio Shack in he 90s. By the early 2000s he had moved on to Starbucks where he served as Real Estate Director for the east and west coasts. In 2005 he started his own real estate business and in the mid-2010s he began the search to own a restaurant brand and/or franchise. He bought Layne's Chicken Fingers in 2017 and became CEO and Partner. Layne's began in 1994. There are 25 locations as of this recording (April of 2025) with plans to open a new location every month for...
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1192: How to Secure Funding with Michael Praver
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Michael Praver is the founder of Michael's company specializes in helping businesses secure capital without the stress of traditional lending. Their mission is to help businesses secure fast, reliable, and customized funding solutions that empower businesses to thrive. This workshop covers How To Get Funding with expert Michael Praver. Workshops can be found every Thursday in the Restaurant Unstoppable podcast feed or on YouTube. Most have a visual component, so consider watching the video version . Join the RUNetwork to take part in workshops and ask the experts YOUR...
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1191: Rachel Cope, Founder and CEO of 84 Hospitality
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Rachel Cope is the Founder and CEO of based in Oklahoma City, OK. 84 Hospitality consists of 4 concepts in 10+ locations in and around OKC. The brand started with and the newest restaurant is , a fine-dining restaurant in OKC. They also operate , , and . Rachel was previously on the show for episode 778 in 2021. Join the TODAY! Restaurant Unstoppable - - Eric of Restaurant Unstoppable is now taking consultation and coaching calls! Book a consultation today! Schedule your call to become UNSTOPPABLE! Check out the website for more details: https://www.restaurantunstoppable.com/evolve Today's...
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1190: Workers’ Compensation Deep Dive with David DeLorenzo
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
David DeLorenzo is the CEO and Owner of . David DeLorenzo specializes in bar and restaurant insurance, but he is also a speaker, author, coach, as well as host of a mastermind and more than one charity organization. On top of all this, he has been an owner of 13 restaurants in his career. David was previously on the show for episode #1087 about a year ago! This workshop covers Workers' Compensation Deep Dive and Best Practices with expert David DeLorenzo. Workshops can be found every Thursday in the Restaurant Unstoppable podcast feed or on YouTube. Most have a visual component, so consider...
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1189: Zack and Silvana Walters, Partners of Sedalia’s Oysters & Seafood
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Zack and Silvana Walters are the Owners/Partners at Sedalia's Oysters & Seafood located in Oklahoma City. Zack and Silvana are married and met in 2017. Prior to 2017, Zack went to culinary school and eventually opened his own butcher shop/deli in LA in 2010 with a partner which was very successful. He left that venture in 2016 to work in another restaurant where he met Silvana who worked FOH there. Silvana lived in NYC and worked FOH in various restaurants before loving to LA to work in an art museum and work restaurants. Silvana worked under Will Guidara before she met Zack. After...
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1188: 3 Reasons Restaurants Fail with Technology Onboarding feat. Jeremy Julien
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Jeremy Julian hosts the podcast and CRO at . With 20+ years in restaurant tech, he shares insights and interviews experts to help operators use digital tools to improve efficiency and guest experience. This workshop covers Jeremy's "3 Reasons Restaurants Fail with Technology Onboarding." Workshops can be found every Thursday in the Restaurant Unstoppable podcast feed or on YouTube. Most have a visual component, so consider watching the video version . Join the RUNetwork to take part in workshops and ask the experts YOUR questions! Join the TODAY! Restaurant Unstoppable - - Eric of...
info_outlineFind out more about Carrie Luxem here.
Key takeaways
Furlough or lay off? Do what you can to keep your employees with you
Treat employees like family
Make sure to check in with your team
Even if you don't know what to do, you must communicate that to them
There is no such thing as a small concern, every concern matters to the person asking the question
Get away from the chaos if you can
Metal health is key
Designate one person as a point of contact for your team
Resources mentioned in this Chronicle:
Carrie's Website RestaurantHRGroup.com
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LmnNaqAUTLBfhJRvfHQ3S1vvPwuUSbGBYZNbJhwpASk/edit?usp=sharing
Tell Congress to Support Restaurants
https://actnow.io/33vA1gB?fbclid=IwAR0CnjULAWQPiUgr-o8tBEX2iamyl-490xm7Kvc8m2g7CjGPRxkGcMf2FjU
Danny Meyers Interview with CNBC’s Squawk on the Street https://www.cnbc.com/video/2020/03/20/shake-shack-founder-danny-meyer-on-how-coronavirus-pandemic-is-decimating-restaurant-industry.html
This session brought to you by Seasoned.co/unstoppable - You don't always need an employee- You don't always need a job- You always need community. Seasond got it all