66. How Shake Shack & USHG are Rethinking Restaurant Culture, featuring Patti Simpson

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of hospitality, restaurant culture, and the changing landscape of the food industry. Our guest, Patti Simpson, is a seasoned professional who has played a pivotal role in reshaping the culture and policies at Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG), the company behind iconic restaurants like Shake Shack. Join us as we ask the tough questions and explore the dynamics of an industry in transformation. Tough Questions & Industry Transformations Get ready for the challenging questions. We ask Patti about the decision-making processes during the pandemic, including the controversial topic of employee layoffs. We explore the reasoning behind USHG's vaccination-only policy and discuss the potential role of technology, like robots and AI, in the future of hospitality. We also address the sensitive issue of tip policies in the industry. As the conversation unfolds, we examine the evolving landscape of restaurant culture and what it means for both employees and customers. Patti shares insights into how USHG is adapting and innovating to meet the changing needs of the industry. Listen to witness firsthand how organisations like USHG are committed to continuous improvement. Resources: Union Square Hospitality Group website: https://www.ushg.com/ Find out more about USHG's Hospitality Quotient: https://hq.ushg.com/ Connect with Patti Simpson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattisimpson/ Danny Meyer's Book, Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business. https://www.harpercollins.com/products/setting-the-table-danny-meyer?variant=32122420363298 Why These 7 Leadership Books Require Your Attention: https://truthliesandwork.com/truth-lies-work-podcast/the-7-books-leaders-should-be-reading_1999/ How to Recruit for Culture Fit (HINT: Don't) https://truthliesandwork.com/truth-lies-work-podcast/how-to-recruit-for-culture-fit_2226/ Why Women in Leadership Matters, A Case Study with MKG https://truthliesandwork.com/truth-lies-work-podcast/women-in-leadership-mkg_2355/ You'll find all our past episodes on our website: https://truthliesandwork.com/ Connect with Al and Leanne Join the Conversation on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork/ Connect with Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott/ Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne Email: [email protected] Book a Call with Al & Leanne: https://oblonghq.com/book/ WATCH THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3_hIyk9KjxJQ1lZWhiaqDw