Here in Atlanta, Southern food is in our heart and soul. And we like to eat. Not only are we the hometown of the world's favorite soft drink (Coca-Cola), Atlanta today has a vibrant food scene full of James Beard Award winners and Food Network stars, not to mention neighborhood “Mom and Pop” favorites and home cooks who serve some of the best dishes in the U.S. READ MORE

With turnover rate in the food service industry skyrocketing over most other industries, attracting and retaining top performing employees is intrinsic and crucial in today's fast paced world. Businesses are vitally dependent on top performers to provide services that distinguish themselves from other strong competitors. Drawing in talent in our industry nowadays with fierce competition, creative cultures and reputation to produce good quality food gives us challenges, of course, but we like to look at them as opportunities. READ MORE

Employees in hospes industries increasingly experience high levels of burnout and turnover. Patients and guests can be demanding, the hours long and the benefits inconsistent. During holiday and vacation times, when most people are spending extended time with family and/or taking time off from work, employees in the hospitality industry are putting in overtime and feeling stretched to their limits. It is no wonder that the hospitality industry, in general, is accused of creating a turnover culture. While there's no silver bullet for eliminating turnover and increasing employee satisfaction, there are short and long-term strategies that can make a significant impact. READ MORE

There are few businesses where employees are expected to be “on” 24/7 and to always have a smile on their face regardless of how they are feeling. But this is exactly what is required of those who work in hotels. Some say that if you can't stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen. That old saying may have worked well for other generations. But what happens when the next generation isn't as tolerant or committed as the one that came before them? Will you be able to compete for talent with the 9-5 industries and if so, will you still be able to create a five-star experience with employees who resemble characters out of the Zombie movie, The Night of the Living Dead? Here are some steps you can take to prevent this nightmare from happening in your hotel. READ MORE

You would be hard pressed to find someone working in hospitality who has not had days of feeling stressed, bored, or unappreciated at work. Left unchecked for a prolonged period of time these feelings can accumulate and result in what is commonly known as 'burnout.' The symptoms of burnout tend to be initially job related and have been connected to a variety of health problems ranging anywhere from severe depression to violence. Aside from being bad for the health of an individual, burnout is bad for the overall health of a business. Lost productivity, decreased commitment, and high turnover rates are but a few of the organizational concerns that can be directly linked to employee burnout. Fortunately, there are a number of ways for management to respond to and prevent a burnout outbreak in their workplace. READ MORE