Episode 35 - Christie Schatz (CPO at Sonny's Franchise Company)

In this conversation, we sit down with with Christie Schatz, Chief People Officer of Sonny's Franchise Company, headquarters for the franchise of Sonny's BBQ. Christie discusses how Sonny's culture is centered around kindness, the challenges of franchising, and the importance of hiring and retaining talent in the restaurant industry. She shares insights on how Sonny's BBQ operationalizes its core values and the role of general managers in delivering exceptional guest experiences. The discussion also touches on the evolving labor market and the strategies being implemented to address hiring challenges.