SMOKE SIGNALS
APRIL 2023
IT’S ALMOST BARBEQUE SEASON!
Greetings, TEAM City BBQ!
I hope 2023 is off to a great start for you and your families. My sincere thanks to all for getting the business off to a strong start. It’s hard to believe BBQ season is upon us—only a few weeks left to prepare for our busiest time of the year! Communication, alignment, readiness, and execution are critical to making this our most successful season ever.
In the spirit of communication and alignment, we introduced quarterly priorities in Q1. These are to align us all on the key short-term drivers that’ll help us achieve our annual initiatives, as well as our longer-term goals. Quarterly priorities allow us to limit distractions, stay on course, and utilize the full strength of this team to drive company performance. You all have proven out that quarterly priorities work by showing improvement across the board: well done!
In our last edition of Smoke Signals, I introduced our BHAG: “to be a global BBQ brand, growing without boundaries, serving and creating happiness for all who experience our craft.” Certainly a big, hairy, and audacious goal, but nothing beyond the capabilities of this team. The key to achieving our BHAG is to break it down into manageable, achievable milestones: quarterly priorities supporting annual initiatives, annual initiatives supporting our five-year strategy, and a five-year strategy supporting our BHAG. The pathway is mapped out, now my friends—it’s go time!
Regardless of position or career aspiration, we all play an equal role in achieving our BHAG. Each of us performs a critical function, with 2,500 team members relying on us. This is a huge responsibility, one I hope you don’t take lightly. I want you each to be fully aware of our annual initiatives and your departmental or joint initiatives, and to embrace your departmental and company quarterly priorities. If this is not the case, please do so today.
I often say we need to practice like we intend to play. Every day provides us an opportunity to get stronger in our role and make a bigger contribution than we did the day before. This requires showing up with intention and purpose, with an eye to what you will accomplish every day. What you do today matters. Don’t wait for BBQ season or some point in the future to raise your level of play. Season readiness and practicing like you play isn’t just a joint thing, or an operations thing, it’s an everyone thing. Every department, every joint, every vendor should be in full stride come season. Stay aware of the goals, identify your opportunities, and practice refining your skills every day.
The concept of practicing like you intend to play applies to personal goals as well as professional ones. I encourage you to take the same approach in pursuing those personal goals, whatever they may be. Please remember, you are not in this alone. Whether you need help achieving personal goals or professional ones, you have the entire City BBQ Team behind you: ask for what you need and seize the opportunity in front of you. It is tremendous!
Practicing harder every day,
~ Mike Muldoon
CITY BARBEQUE’s PURPOSE: To serve and create happiness // CITY BARBEQUE’S MISSION: To set the standards others follow //
CITY BARBEQUE’s PURPOSE: To serve and create happiness // CITY BARBEQUE’S MISSION: To set the standards others follow //
OPENING SHOTS
Four Pillars
TEAM
Taking care of your Team! How can you demonstrate to your teammates that you care about them? After all, when people feel cared about, they are happier, more engaged, more productive and more loyal. Perhaps you’ve heard or read the quote from author Mia Angelo: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Feeling safe and cared for is a fundamental need.
Below, are five ways to help your team feel more cared about and show that you have their best interests in mind. We know from experience that each one of these ideas does, in fact, have a positive effect on employee productivity, inspiration and retention.
Ask them what matters to them.
As you’re hiring new teammates, or leading your current team, ask your people what is important to them. How do they like to work? What do they want from a leader? What kind of work do they enjoy or not enjoy? Show them that you care about what matters to them….and, most importantly, that you’ll honor it when and where you can.
2. Learn some things about who they are as a person.
Not everyone feels comfortable digging into the personal side of things with teammates or other managers. However, it’s not necessary to go super deep on this topic, though there is a belief that we all need to show interest. You can pay attention to the degree to which each employee likes to share about their personal lives, and then follow their lead. Your conversations need to be more influenced by them than by you.
3. Ask them for their opinions, concerns, preferences and ideas. Get in the habit of asking questions like, “What do you think?” “If you could choose, what would you do?” “Can I run something past you and get your thoughts?” “Would you prefer Option A or Option B?” “How would you do it?” Questions like these show your teamamtes not only that you care about them but also that you value them. Conversations involving questions go a long way in fostering productivity, fulfillment, and loyalty.
4. Show regard for their opinions, concerns, preferences and ideas.
There are too many leaders who will not ask the types of questions posed above. Instead, they ask questions like, “Well, what if I don’t agree?” or “What if I don’t like their answer?” These are fair questions and raise up a growth opportunity for many leaders. What if everything didn’t have to be your way? What about different approaches that arrive at similar outcomes? What would happen if you gave up some of the control for greater outcomes from your employees?
5. Have their back.
Whose side are you on? Everyone has some teammates who are moderate to low performers. Regardless of high-, medium-, or low-performing, all your teammates deserve to start their conversation with you with the opportunity to share their perspective. What are they up against? What is getting in their way of progress? What is making things difficult?
What you’re ultimately looking for is the outcome and for the agreement moving forward. These conversations should always include a phrase like, “Thank you for sharing that with me. It’s helpful to know.” Then you can shift gears to the accountability piece. Patience, curiosity and understanding are not meant to trump accountability. These things are simply part of the equation. “I understand….now, let’s shift gears and talk about what you can do to advance this and prevent it from happening again.” Oh, and….”Where do you need my help?” This is asked at the end of the conversation.
There are many more ways that you can show your teammates that you care about them, and this is a good start. Though, I will add a simple, no brainer one to our list….
Say good morning to your team. Yes, you heard it. Factor this into your morning. Make time to say hello.
If you’re struggling with any of this care stuff, put yourself in the shoes of your teammates, and ask yourself if you’d like your leader to demonstrate these five things for you.
~ Aletha Dawson, Director of Training
Guest
It’s almost barbeque season! At City Barbeque, we want our guests to think of us as synonymous with summer, and what says “summer” more than a road trip? From May 1 to July 31, Marketing will promote five regionally influenced items as part of our Flavors of America Road Trip. We’ll invite our guests to follow along as we “hit the road,” tracking down these tastes of the nation: our new Carolina Goldmine Sandwich and Crispy Fried Ribs, and fan favorites Texas-style Smoked Sausage, Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, and Pulled Chicken Sandwich with ‘Bama Sauce. City Rewards members who purchase all five items will get $10, and 500 of those folks will be randomly selected to receive a limited-edition hat and keychain.
This is the first campaign the Marketing team has created with our new campaign brief process, where we work to translate our company objectives into strategic guest-facing promotions and messaging. We’re so excited about the results, and can’t wait to kick off this summer’s campaign with you!
~ Annica Conrad, Chief Brand Officer
Process
GOOD DAY, CITY BARBEQUE!
We’ve got some great improvements and additions coming to a Joint near you soon! First, we will continue with phase two of the Sauce Project. In this phase, IT will be making it possible to track the use of our branded PC sSuces in CrunchTime! Currently, there is no way to track how much Sauce is given away. This massive project will link our PC Sauces to each menu item for tracking.
Also, we will continue to roll out our fryer filtration machine project. Right now, we have 11 Joints on the program, and we have seen some great Oil savings already, along with better product quality because of these machines. We can’t wait to pass those perks along to all the Joints!
~ Dave Skerl, Director of Strategic Implementation
GOOD NEWS!
In March, we launched DailyPay. DailyPay is a tool that gives hourly teammates access to their earnings prior to payday. Since going live, we have seen almost 40% of eligible users enroll in DailyPay.
~Jillian Armstrong, Human Resources Director - Teammate Experience
Financial
What a great start to the 2023 year! Our sales, Guest counts, and comp percentages are ahead of budget through February. In addition, we are excited to say that it is across both revenue lines - Joint Only and Catering. We have successfully passed our audit, filed year-end reports, and have prepared the appropriate tax returns – we can put 2022 behind us. The new Joints have opened on time, seamlessly, and are posting phenomenal weekly sales. Let’s keep up the momentum as we prep for Barbeque Season. Our team is here to support you and we cannot wait to see what all can BE accomplished out there for the second quarter. CITY BARBEQUE LIFE IS GOOD!
~ Diane Reed, Chief Financial Officer
CATERING CHATTER
Wedding event specialists summit 2023
The 2023 Wedding Event Specialist Summit was an excellent success! The team traveled to the Support Center for three days of teamwork and fun. We celebrated achieving $5 M in booked sales for 2023 by the second week of March! We celebrated each team member’s success and specifically recognized Ashlee Silva (Indy WES) for sales performance of over $1M in 2022; Abbey Mohr (NEOH WES) as most improved in 2022 with over a $359K increase in sales and Antonia Hansford (LEX/LOU WES) as most Innovative, Creative and High Energy!
~ Terri Engel, Director of Business Development
Abbey Mohr (NEOH WES) as most improved in 2022
Antonia Hansford (LEX/LOU WES) as most Innovative, Creative and High Energy
Ashlee Silva (Indy WES) for sales performance of over $1M in 2022
Please connect with your region’s Wedding Event Specialist and congratulate them on their hard work and success in 2022! Wish this fantastic team success in 2023 as they reach for their sales goals and $9 million team goal!
And, in other news…here’s a photo of some of our Catering Top DOGS, out and about.
The Catering Leadership team had an amazing time at the Catersource Catering Conference down in sunny Orlando filled with Event planners/ Caterers/ Photographers and DJ’s from across the states. We were able to gather not only what is trending in the catering/wedding world but attend multiple seminars throughout the day focusing on building teams/leadership skills and how to grow our business and brand. We will use these takeaways to continue to own the BBQ Catering lane and set the standards that others follow!
~Tony Ramos, Regional Catering Director
RDO REFLECTIONS
TEAM CITY BARBEQUE,
Here is a great plan of action from author Jim Sullivan on executing Pre-Shift Meetings daily. What a great opportunity to inform and Quemmunicate to your teams all that is going on. As a growing organization, our people are the most important part, and they need to know the 411. These meetings drive results on things like quarterly priorities. They also provide the best part of the day for recognition and reward.
Thanks for all you do,
~Justin and the RDO team.
If you want store managers to execute pre-shifts daily, here’s a suggested Action Plan:
Tie your manager’s bonuses to doing Pre-Shift Meetings. What gets measured and rewarded gets done.
Be optimistic, not pessimistic. Stop focusing on why you “can’t” do pre-shifts and focus instead on HOW you’d benefit from doing them. Be a possibility thinker not a probability thinker. The probability thinker says “If I try a pre-shift meeting there’s a probability they might not succeed,” and so they don’t try. A possibility thinker says “There’s a 50% probability the pre-shift meeting might not work, but a 100% possibility that it will!” Pre-shift meetings save time, they don’t take time. Pre-shift meetings lets store managers lead shifts, set goals, and get the team focused. It allows managers to spread energy and get habitually consistent results.
Start with a benchmark. Measure same store sales, service scores, margin, sales per labor hour, food costs etc before you execute pre-shift Sales Meetings. Measure again 30 days later. Share the improved numbers at Manager meetings and underscore the role Pre-Shift Sales Meetings had in the improved outcome. Co-create focus areas. At your next manager meeting, co-create a list of specific pre-shift topics for the next 30 days so they can get started and sustain momentum. Have each manager contribute one new pre-shift topic at each manager meeting (and share their success stories around pre-shifts) so you continually have new ideas to share. K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Keep each Pre-Shift meeting to under 3 minutes, always keep it positive, set clear and attainable goals, skinny the monologue, fatten the dialogue, keep it interactive, and used “spaced repetition” to drive home the key goals (see our one-hour thumb-drive video called Jumpstart at http://store.sullivision.com for video examples on the art of pre-shift meetings) Practice pre-shift meetings at your manager meetings with each other before you roll it out with your hourly team. Never practice on your crew. Every month solicit and share best practices relative to pre-shift meetings. Have the manager who has the most success doing them teach their colleagues how he or she does it. Area Directors should attend as many of pre-shifts as possible as an observer. Schedule your store visits to be there when the pre-shift meetings take place. Take notes, record the meeting on your mobile device, praise the manager’s progress, then offer advice on how to improve the meeting (more interaction, energy, etc.) If you couldn’t attend their pre-shift Sales Meetings when you visit your operations, be sure to ask your managers how the pre-shift/Sales meeting went BEFORE you ask about anything else. What you reinforce is what you get. What you don’t is what you lose.
DON’T GIVE UP. Pre-Shift Meetings take time to take root and produce results, usually about three weeks (remember, you’re fighting habits here.) Post the daily goal(s) for each shift on a brightly-colored piece of paper or on a digital monitor in the same place everyday so that team members who clock in at staggered times know where to find the goals. Managers should conduct 30 second one-on-one pre-shift Meetings with associates who are scheduled to arrive in later at staggered times. Share shift goals, ask questions and reinforce that the team member is clear on the focus. Coach to the goals DURING the shift as you monitor progress. Encourage team members to hit and exceed goals through recognition and suggestions. ALWAYS FOLLOW UP ON THE GOAL(S) AT THE END OF EACH SHIFT. As team members clock out, teach your managers to let every team member know how they did against the goals, and how their efforts related to the goal’s achievement. “Re-recruit”. Video the Pre-Shift Sales Meetings with your smartphone and share with your other managers. If a picture’s worth a thousand words, a moving picture is worth 10,000.
Download a FREE pre-shift meeting planning template from www.Sullivision.com, so you can customize and adapt the concepts to your Joint. Remember, you have 14 shifts per week per restaurant, 56 per month, 168 per quarter, 672
shifts per year. What if you just got a little better in each pre-shift each day???
~ Jim Sullivan
PIT MASTERS COMPETITION
A NEW CLASS IS UNDER WAY AND ON THEIR WAY TO BECOMING OUR NEXT PIT MASTERS!
We promised that each issue over the next few quarters WE would include one of the winning recipes from the Pit Master Competition of 2022.
This quarter, we have KENNY GILLISON’S GREEK CHICKEN! THIS WAS THE FIRST PLACE WINNER fOR THE CHICKEN LEGS CATEGORY.
COOKIN’ RIBS AND STUFF FOR THE COMPETITION
KENNY’S GREEK CHICKEN
INGREDIENTS
•Chicken Legs
•Cavender’s Greek Seasoning
•Red Wine Vinegar
•Worcestershire Sauce
•Garlic Powder
Marinade
•1 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
•1 Cup Worcestershire Sauce
•2 Tbsp. Garlic Powder
DIRECTIONS
•Trim Chicken Legs
•Smooth Skin around the leg
•Marinate for 30 minutes
•Remove Legs and place on sheet tray
•Evenly coat Legs with Cavender’s Greek Seasoning
•Place in Ziploc bag and add some marinade
•Let sit over night
•Cook on grill to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F
TEAMMATE SPOTLIGHT
AMANDA HEAGY
What is your current role at City BBQ? Catering Operations Manager for Charlotte & Greensboro
What aspect of your new role are you most excited about? I'm excited to see how much further we expand in the upcoming years. I'm excited to see how I can make an impact in the catering realm by getting the caterer's feedback and finding out what I can do to help them.
What three words would you use to describe City Barbeque? About the people!
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Energetic, kindhearted, adventurous.
If you could switch jobs with anyone else in the company, whose job would you want and why? It would be a variety of roles I'd like to experience. I would like to check out what goes on behind the scenes that we don't get to see. When it comes to scoping out new locations, creating new menu items, or implementing new ideas. Keith Willis, Mike Muldoon, Chef and Kevin just to name a few.
Do you have any hobbies or belong to any groups outside of work? Does Margaritas with the girls count as a hobby? I do enjoy going to the greenway soaking up some sunshine, cheering on the Ravens when it comes time, and occasionally you can find me playing video games.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I think learning to fly a plane would be pretty fun. Now would I ever want to do that solo, probably not haha.
Do you have a favorite family tradition or one that you want to start? Once a month, my son and I will go to our favorite Mexican restaurant and have our mommy son date. How long will he let that last....TBD 😄 What is the most important thing you have learned in life? You only have one life to live so live it to the fullest! Being kind to others goes a long way, but also be kind to yourself and do the things that make you happy. Don't dwell on the negatives and understand that some things are just simply out of your control. There will be many challenges in life, but you'll be able to overcome every single one of them. It won't always be easy, but it will be worth it.
AMANDA’S RECIPE
There's not really a name to it, but we call it Grandmom’s pizza because she would always make it with us and it's not even a pizza, it's a dip!
Take a block of cream cheese and soften it, in the oven, on a pizza tray for a few minutes. Once it's softened, take it out of the oven and spread an even layer onto the bottom of the tray. Take a jar of salsa and layer that on top of the cream cheese. Next, you'll want to top it with a full layer of shredded cheese. Any type of shredded cheese will work but my go-to is usually Colby-Jack. Throw some jalapenos on top if you want to add a little spice. Toss it back in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or so on 325 degrees until the cheese is somewhat melted on top and you'll have yourself a delicious party dip
JASON FOUTY
What is your current role at City BBQ?
I am currently a lead trainer for the New Joint Opening Training team. As well as a Shift lead in Toledo, Ohio.
What aspect of your new role are you most excited about?
I am most excited about meeting new teammates that embellish the City BBQ culture. 😊
What three words would you use to describe City Barbeque?
Rewarding, growing, and accountable
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Reliable, loyal, and hard-working
If you could switch jobs with anyone else in the company, whose job would you want and why?
To be honest. I wouldn’t switch jobs with anyone. My job is fun! With endless possibilities within the company, I know when I’m ready, ill be able to move up when it’s time. Do you have any hobbies or belong to any groups outside of work?
Outside of work, I live on a farm with many animals. One animal I spend most of my time with, is a rescue horse named Hope. I enjoy taking care of the animals as well as growing a huge garden every year that supplies my family and friends with fresh canned vegetables to eat through the Winter.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I would learn to how to play the Violin. Such a beautiful instrument that dates to the 16th century in Italy. Do you have a favorite family tradition or one that you want to start?
My favorite family tradition is every summer having a ‘end of summer party.’ Where all our family and close friends come over to eat/play/swim and enjoy each other’s company before the days become shorter.
What is the most important thing you have learned in life?
The most important thing that I’ve learned in life is that everyone comes from a different background. You shouldn’t judge anyone based on who they are simply because they walk a different path. Embrace diversity. At the end of the day, we all have the same goals. To be happy and take care of our loved ones
In lieu of a recipe, here is a photo of Jason’s rescue horse, Hope.
RAVING FANS
Beavercreek
3/9/23 Benson was very patient during our ordering process. He made suggestions that were well received. After realizing I forgot to order chili, Benson went out of his way to deliver the chili when it was ready to the table while we ate.
Chester Rd
3/9/23 We were SO impressed with the new Avon store team. There was a great atmosphere, the food was incredible and Zech the GM really went out of his way to welcome us as a new customer. It was a really awesome experience. We visited other City BBQs and the cleanliness, food and staff were average. This made us big fans of the brand. It was really impressive to see the level of team work the team has too. Really great experience.
Lafayette
1/11/23 I come in almost every day and Kyley is always so kind and friendly when she is taking orders always explains everything always lets me know when they have new food always giving me recommendations she is just so friendly and makes my experience here better everytime I come in! Will be coming back always
Madison West
1/22/23 The staff at the Madison West location are very friendly and hardworking! No issues at all. The brisket is full and juicy as well. Music and decorations are on point, and contribute to the BBQ immersion! I loved eating here and will come again very soon. Well done! Treyvon served us our food and he is a quality person.
High Point
3/15/23 I visited High Point #10068 and was hosted by Myeisha 02/17/23. I have to say that this experience was a highlight of what was supposed to be a quick weekend trip to shop for furniture with my father. All food deliciousness aside, the best part of this experience and the real hidden gem was the service provided by your staff. Myeisha and her co worker made us feel like family that day. At a time when people are short tempered and most people are complaining that customer service is dead, Myeisha and crew are serving up City Barbecue like they are hosting their own family barbecue. Seriously, from start to finish they are taking CARE of your customers and I thought you should be aware. You hired some good folks! Please consider expanding up into the North East!
Westerville
2/20/23 Lunch today was spectacular! Chicken breast you can cut thru with a fork. Don't know how you do it, but, keep it up! Great job Dejuan! Miss Trina, Miss Tiffany and Enrique: great service and huge smiles. Makes it a pleasure to come in. Thanks for all your hard work!
READ
The 5 Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage
The 5 Second Rule is the secret to changing anything about your life. You can use the Rule and its countdown method to break any bad habit, interrupt self-doubt and negative self-talk, and push yourself to take the actions that will change your life.
If you struggle with motivation...If you are tired of doubting yourself... If you know what you want but can't make yourself go get it...You NEED The 5 Second Rule. The secret to changing your life isn't knowing what to do--it's knowing how to make yourself do it.
It's a simple tool, backed by research, and it has changed the lives of millions. It will work for you too.
Using the science of habits, riveting stories, and surprising facts from some of the most famous moments in history, Mel Robbins will explain the power of a five second decision. You'll also meet and inspired by hundreds of people around the world who are using the Rule to achieve their goals, reach their potential, and chase their dreams.
in the book, you'll learn the inspiring and relatable story of how Mel invented the 5 Second Rule during the worst moment of her life, when her anxiety and finances were so bad, she could barely get out of bed. Since creating the Rule, Mel has shared it with audiences around the world, the most respected brands, and people who want to make real and lasting change.
Lead to Win: How to Be a Powerful, Impactful, Influential Leader in Any Environment
The author of Expect To Win and Strategize To Win steps out with dynamic strategies for leaders of today and tomorrow.
Work has undergone a sea change, introducing a new matrix of concerns and questions for leaders and potential leaders. What does it take to lead effectively now? What does leadership even mean?
In this much-needed book, powerhouse Carla A. Harris examines the journey from individual contributor to leader. She targets the essential skills necessary to succeed, such as the importance of taking risks, creating a vision, and leveraging assets like relationships and partnerships. At the heart of this book are the eight things you must be intentional about every day—authenticity, building trust, creating other leaders, clarity, diversity, innovation, inclusivity, and voice—qualities that you need to hone and manifest to become a powerful, impactful leader no matter where you work. She also examines the key traits of being a transformational leader, focusing on the gaps she has seen in leadership that could impede or damage any leader’s effectiveness.
Timely, inspiring, and filled with Harris’s trademark practical advice, Lead to Win will become a touchstone for anyone looking to influence and lead others to make positive change.
WATCH
How to find the person who can help you get ahead at work
Carla Harris - Business executive, author
The workplace is often presented as a meritocracy, where you can succeed by putting your head down and working hard. Wall Street veteran Carla Harris learned early in her career that this a myth. The key to actually getting ahead? Get a sponsor: a person who will speak on your behalf in the top-level, closed-door meetings you're not invited to (yet). Learn how to identify and develop a productive sponsor relationship in this candid, powerful talk.
Your body language may shape who you are.
Amy Cuddy’s research on body language reveals that we can change other people’s perceptions — and perhaps even our own body chemistry — simply by changing body positions.(NOTE: Some of the findings presented in this talk have been referenced in an ongoing debate among social scientists about robustness and reproducibility. Read "Criticisms & updates" below for more details as well as Amy Cuddy's response.) Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy argues that "power posing" -- standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don't feel confident -- can boost feelings of confidence and might have an impact on our chances for success.
LISTEN
10 ways to have a better conversation.
Celeste Headlee, Writer and radio host
When your job hinges on how well you talk to people, you learn a lot about how to have conversations -- and that most of us don't converse very well. Celeste Headlee has worked as a radio host for decades, and she knows the ingredients of a great conversation: Honesty, brevity, clarity, and a healthy amount of listening. In this insightful talk, she shares 10 useful rules for having better conversations. "Go out, talk to people, listen to people," she says. "And, most importantly, be prepared to be amazed."
Celeste Headlee's years of interview experience give her a unique perspective on what makes for a good conversation.
Peaceful Music, Relaxing Music, Instrumental Music, "A Thought of Spring" by Tim Janis
Peaceful Music, Relaxing Music, Instrumental Music, "A Thought of Spring" by Tim Janis. My instrumental music can help you find deep relaxation, relieve anxiety, and find peace. My music incorporates relaxing sounds of nature and features flute music, piano music, harp music, & violin music.
I am a composer from Maine and created my channel as a place to visit, relax and find peace. My music is often used for prayer and meditation and can be described as sleep music, calm music, yoga music, study music, peaceful music, spa music, beautiful music, and relaxing music.
I read all of my comments and love hearing from you. If you enjoy my music, please subscribe to my channel, and join the community.
As winter recedes and flowers begin to spring up there is a feeling of newness and rejuvenation. Join me as we watch the early signs of Spring blossom around us.
PROMOTIONS
Alex Alnajdi - Restaurant Systems Analyst Allison Tillery - Shift Leader Allison Walker - Regional Training Manager Amanda Lewis - Shift Leader Training Andrea Graham - Catering Field Coordinator Angela Woodbury - Catering Field Coordinator Brandon Gaul - General Manager David Lane - Shift Leader Training David Polak - Shift Leader Dayna Hickey - Shift Leader Training Denise Harper - Shift Leader Training Devin Jenkins - General Manager Dianna Moon - General Manager Elizabeth Scolieri - Shift Leader Evan Dreyer - Assistant Manager Evan Hunt - Catering Field Coordinator Jeffrey Rennemeyer - Market Leader Jillian Smith - New Restaurant Training Specialist John Yacobozzi - Market Leader
Jordan Fugate - Marketing Services Manager Jordan Helton - Shift Leader Training Jordan Ticknor - Senior Manager - Operational Accounting Joshua Zaragoza - Shift Leader Judson Young - Shift Leader Katrina Hill - Shift Leader Kelsey Schottmiller - Field Marketing Manager Ken Hunt - Assistant Catering Operations Manager Kevin Bennett - Regional Director of Operations Lisa Wiedenheft - General Manager Lonnell Jones Jr. - Shift Leader Marchell Secrest - Assistant General Manager Mariola Domagala - General Manager Maurice Smith - Market Leader Michal Lahey - Assistant General Manager Renee Frederickson - Assistant General Manager Robert Briggs - Assistant Manager Ryan Thomas - Shift Leader Samantha Morgan - Shift Leader Shyrone Brown - Assistant General Manager Syrus Bingman - Shift Leader Tanya Denk - General Manager Titiana Logan - Assistant Manager Trina Aaron - Shift Leader Xavion Murphy - Shift Leader
ANNIVERSARIES
Fifteen Year
Alejandro Morales, CENTERVILLE
Dejuan Giles, WESTERVILLE
Ten Year
Joan Taylor, Catering INDIANAPOLIS
FIVE YEAR
Amanda Heagy, Catering CHARLOTTE
Brittany Textor, Catering CHARLOTTE
Carson Simms, WEST CHESTER
Danielle Maloney, Catering COLUMBUS
Estela Carrillo, GREENWOOD
Hannah Padgett, MATTHEWS
Jennifer Grywalski, TRAINING
Joshua Vanhook, DURHAM
Mackenzie Robinette, POLARIS
Michael Boyd, Catering ATLANTA
Michael Condon, Support Center, IT
Sydney Talbert, MATTHEWS
HAPPY 15th ANNIVERSARY, ALEX MORALES! Alex has been with the company since 01/25/2008. He started off closing Boards 5 days a week and is now our main Pits guy! Alex has trained many managers throughout his career at City Barbeque. Alex has been an asset for us at Centerville. He always serves Competition Quality food, he comes in with a positive attitude, and he is very loyal to this company. Alex is married to his wife Edith, and they have 4 kids, Ruth, Duil, Andy, and Amio. We are grateful to have Alex on our team and we look forward to many more years with him.
CATERING MILESTONE! Michael Boyd reached his 5-year anniversary this quarter, and the team celebrated by giving him his 5-year jacket! He was surprised with balloons, and a lunch with the team, meeting up near the Catering operations storage unit, so that they could continue on with their drops and such afterwards. A fun time was had by all!
If you’d like to share your City Barbeque anniversary celebration with us, send your photos, along with information about the celebration, to hr@citybbq.com, with “Anniversary” in the subject line.
QUEMMUNITY
QUEMMUNITY WILL RETURN NEXT ISSUE.
Have you participated in any community or charity event/drive, or volunteered for any cause, either as a team or individually, at work, home, church? Please send your information and any photos you can provide to hr@citybbq.com, with Quemmunity in the subject line. We’d love to publish them in a future newsletter under this feature! We want to “share the wealth in a sustainable fashion!”
BE A POSITIVE MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY!
PHOTO CAPTION CONTEST
Provide a caption for the photo above, and submit it to hr@citybbq.com with the subject line “Photo Caption.” We’ll take entries up to the end of the month (April 3o). Prizes still to be determined.
Example: “Home is where the smoke is…and WHERE the smoke alarm LETS US KNOW dinner is ready!”
ALETHA’S CORNER
Happy SPRING!
Thinking about the old winter items that need to be put away once the weather breaks and getting a few warm sunny days can easily put you in a spring cleaning kind of mood. This year I am thinking about spring cleaning a bit differently.
We start the new year thinking about self-improvement and how to organize ourselves and the things we touch. Let’s take it a step further by taking the same approach for the whole new season. Only focusing on yourself at the new year is nowhere nearly enough time to make change stick and really focus on what’s important to you. Take this time to really think about the things that are important to you: your goals, personal commitments, simple things you want to improve or change.
Spring cleaning is great for getting the Christmas decorations finally cleaned up and back in the basement or garage, but it can be so much more for your life. Look at the list below. Not everything there may speak to you personally, but my guess is there are several things that do. I really like most all of them, but one that really made me smile is #8 - Find your Jam. For me, this means to find the thing that makes you happy. Only YOU can do this and only you will know when you have found it.
What’s your Jam? Once you find it, how will you take care of it?
“Spring Cleaning, much more than getting rid of things not often used, but rather an opportunity to reset and refocus. Start Now!!”
