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CONNECTING THE CHART MEMBER COMMUNITY
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR BRIGHT NEWS DECEMBER 2025
VISIONARY TRAINERS TRANSFORMING HOSPITALITY
Brant Menswar x2 🔥🎸 Two distinct keynotes, twice the impact!
Here’s news we are VERY excited about! Brant is bringing his signature storytelling, live music, and interactive energy to BOTH New Orleans and Boston at CHART’s 2026 Hospitality Training Conferences. In New Orleans in February, he’ll dive into “The Influence of Purpose” —how authentic engagement starts from the inside out, when training leaders connect people to what matters most. Then, in Boston in July, he’ll double the impact with “Own Your Moment,” focusing on how connection, collaboration, and deliberate action turn that inner purpose into visible momentum.
Together, these sessions move from inspiration to implementation—from understanding what drives team engagement to owning the moments that bring it to life. View full session descriptions at chart.org > Trainer Development & Events > Upcoming Conferences. Join us in New Orleans or Boston (or better yet, BOTH!). Register today!
CHART Tales of Transformation
ICYMI 👀 It’s the BEST when people are so moved by what they experience at CHART, they just have to share their tale of transformation with the world. Read the full articles at chart.org > Training Tools & Resources > Training Articles
“From Breadcrumbs to Breakthroughs” Kimberly Olsen, Artisan Specialty Foods Learning Legacy Fund Recipient, Redondo Beach, 2025
“Stronger at the Seams: My Journey Out of the Background” Patrick Yearout, Ivar’s Restaurants Patrick says that when he first walked into a CHART conference, he was the quiet one in the back row. But the CHART community
“The ROI of VolunTIERing with CHART” Kim Evans,
Hopdoddy Burger Bar Kim says
[Video] Key Takeaways from Redondo Beach Chris Prince, Jim ‘N Nick’s Community Bar-B-Q Chris says his Redondo Beach conference was such an incredible experience, he crafted a video recapping his key takeaways. He loved the keynotes, but his biggest value came from the “Better Training on a Budget” breakout session. How cool that he put what he learned into place with a summary video! Check it out on JNN Director of Training, Shannon Ciccotelli’s LinkedIn page.
being involved with CHART is
cracked him open in the best way. Like the bowl he broke and
much more than giving, it’s GAINING. Whether it’s a one-off service event, leading a breakout, or running the whole show as a Conference Director, each tier of volunteering (ahem - volunTIERing) brings deeper connections, personal growth, and leadership development.
Kimberly says CHART didn’t just give her a professional boost; it reignited her purpose. To her surprise, the CHART conference experience was nothing like she thought it would be – it was so much better. By the time she walked out of the conference, she was revived, inspired, and ready to tackle her professional challenges with new confidence.
rebuilt in Redondo Beach at the Kintsugi-inspired workshop, his journey has been about embracing the breaks, rebuilding with support, and highlighting the golden seams of growth.
Regional Training Forums (RTFs) Were on Fire this Fall This is the power of what happens when local training leaders connect to learn, share, and grow together! Tampa | 10.15.25 Co-RTF Directors Angelina Sabatini of Live Nation Entertainment and Audrey Benet held an incredible first-ever RTF in Tampa. Gord Zeilstra of Schoox and Corban Nichols of Piada Italian Street Food led a conversation centered on Cyborg Hospitality: The Balance of the Heart and Hardware in Hospitality. Serah Morrissey and Schoox provided much help, guidance, and refreshments!
San Antonio | 10.16.25 Big shout out to RTF Director Tresa Wells of Whataburger for organizing, and Matt Nelson from Modern Training and Kevin Adams from ELB for sharing their expertise with the group. Their topic was – Get L&D a Bigger Budget than Marketing. It was not only a catchy title; it was packed with great takeaways. Here's one that Kelly McCutcheon wrote down: At the end of your LTO Training, ask a one-question survey: "Based on this training, rank your level of confidence to start a conversation with a customer on this LTO." This doesn't just measure how much they liked the training, but sets the expectation and their ability to achieve it.
PresidenTalks The Training Metric That Actually Matters
Ever since I read the Redondo Conference survey results shared in last month’s flipCHART, I can’t stop thinking about the suggestion that we “need more on how training ties to business results.” Especially since the recent Hospitality Training 360 Report tells us that Training Departments who prove operational impact have bigger budgets. (You can check out this report by going to: chart.org > Training Tools & Resources > Training Trends) Here’s where I think we often miss the mark. We measure completion as a sign of success. Something like “86% completed the LTO training.” So what? If it doesn’t move the needle on turnover, sales, or service, it’s just a number.
CHART President Kelly McCutcheon
The training metric you should be measuring? It’s what you compare training completion to. Completion is important when it is used as a comparison baseline. Do you know your company’s goals? Odds are, your leaders are trying to achieve some very specific targets. How does training help drive these results? For example, at my organization, we recently ran a comparison with New Hire Training completion. Turns out, on average, restaurants that completed New Hire Training on time have lower turnover and higher Same Store Sales! Another eye-opener came from New Restaurant Openings: we compared training completion with Speed of Service opening week. Turns out, restaurants that train better also serve faster right out of the gate. Picture two lines on a graph: training and speed. It was almost eerie how well they moved in near-perfect sync. When training was up, speed was faster. And (perhaps more importantly) vice versa. I am sure, my fellow trainers, that by this point you are nodding along. YOU understand the connection between training and business results. Still, it’s important to crunch the comparison numbers AND get them in front of your leaders! When you share these types of metrics, remember that training is one of many factors contributing to business success. Still, these metrics draw a strong conclusion about the importance of training. And maybe that’s why those that prove operational impact have bigger budgets. So, let’s stop settling for completion stats. Let’s prove our worth and earn those bigger budgets! And I encourage you to join us at CHART 109 in New Orleans. Every Competency Track covers some form of training metrics. I happen to be partial to the Executive Track, where we look at (among many metrics) how to calculate ROI (Return on Investment). Hope to see you there!
CHART Board Meeting in New Orleans
The CHART Board and Conference Director Myisha Smith (left) and Activities Director Kate Stiteler (right) gathered for a pre-conference meeting in New Orleans. Decisions were made, fun was had, and local cuisine was enjoyed as work is in full swing to deliver superior ROI to attendees in New Orleans in February!
Training High 5 – Get recognized for your idea!
Deadline: December 15 Simple nomination form: chart.org > Membership & Community > Awards & Scholarships Past High 5 eBooks: chart.org > Training Tools & Resources > Training High 5 eBook Do you have a practical training idea, simple solution, or blinding flash of the obvious you want to share? It doesn’t matter if it’s a fun training game, a complex rollout strategy, or even just clever new signage, as long as it is a practical idea that other hospitality trainers would like to hear about, we would love to include it. Submit your idea using our simple form by December 15, and if selected, it will be featured in the 2026 Training High 5 eBook and at the New Orleans conference.
Members on the Move
John Isbell is now Vice President, Wings Team at Steak ‘n Shake.
Greg Sheehan is now Director of Learning & Development at Broadway Hospitality Group.
Brea Watkins is now Director of Human Resources for Levity Live.
Dr. Felicia White, Ed.D. is now Director of Operations for Askar Management Group.
Carlo Cesario is now Sr. Director, Field Training and Performance at Buffalo Wild Wings.
Jody Huls is now Director of Training Development at Buffalo Wild Wings.
Tim Lawson is now Director of Operations at Big Dave's Cheesesteaks Franchise.
Matt Clark is now Sr. Manager, Field Training for GoTo Foods.
Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers P.O. Box 2835 Westfield, NJ 07091 chart.org (800) 463-5918
Please send content to flipCHART Managing Editor | Lisa Marovec, lisa@chart.org Deadline is 1st of the month for the next month’s issue | Back issues: chart.org Welcome New and Returning Members Our community is strengthened by this wonderful cross-section of hospitality! Attention new and returning members! Be sure to check out one of the best insider CHART perks, Ask My Peers. We hope to see you in New Orleans and Boston in 2026! Abe Chae, Din Tai Fung Al Newman, Hungry Howie's, Inc. Alexa Alvarez Morphy, Hotel Dara Rodney, Nemacolin Deirdre Pickett, DineBrands Global - Applebee's
Kathleen McMurray, Starbird Kathleen Shaw, Nemacolin Kimberly Chambers, Little Caesars Enterprises, Inc. Krista Melton, SSCP Management Leslie Tran, Din Tai Fung Lindsay Manchester, Playa Bowls Lisa Dwelly, Biscuit Belly Maria Bernabe, P. Terry's Mary Morey, Galardi Group MaryKay Haas, Pizza Factory Inc Matthew Lorbiecki, Lowlands Matthew Rowe, Tasty Restaurant Group Melanie Nass, Topgolf Merry Tran, Del Taco Michael Rowan, Din Tai Fung Michelle Almada Mike Greco, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Mike Zappone, Heartland Restaurant Group Mindy Brokaw, Craveworthy Brands Morgan Rodriguez, BJ’s Restaurants Nataliia Thayer, Kalahari Resorts Nicholas Ladouceur, Hungry Howie's Nicole Chase Philip Pinkerman, Bristol Farms Rebecca Minnich, Sheetz Renee Malone, Inspire Brands Ricardo Marble, City of Detroit GSD Parks & Recreation Robin Deaton, PCH Hotels & Resorts Rudi Barrack, Flower Child Sara Edminsten, Bricktown Brewery Sara Figueroa, Dave's Hot Chicken
Franchise Co., LLC Sara Walker, Velvet Taco Sarah Elliott-Nickel, Culver Franchising System, LLC Sarah Volan, Inspire Brands Scott Black, PopUp Bagels Shani Walters, Sandals Resorts International Sheyra Bravo, Hotel Valencia Collection Sofia Rivera, P. Terry's Stephanie Hobbs, Fox Restaurant Concepts Stephen Gusman, BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse Steven Montoya, Din Tai Fung Sydney Roesch, Salamander Middleburg - Salamander Collection Tara Keenan, Chicken Salad Chick Taylor Adams, Xperience Restaurant Group Terriann Smith-Sloley, Sandals Resorts International Thien Le, Din Tai Fung Thomas Morgan, Cheba Hut Franchising Inc. Tiffany Evans, FAT Brands Tim Lawson, The Midnight Mission Tina Norris, Roy's Restaurant Tony Chen, BJ's Restaurants Vivian Mendoza, 85c Bakery Cafe Wendy Rodriguez, Farmer Boys
Bennett - Salamander Collection Alexander Oakes, Fuzzy's Taco Shop Alida Stanowicz, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Alison Costantino, Compass Group Alison Edginton, Smalls Sliders Allison Michel, Culver Franchising System, LLC Amanda Britt, Huse Culinary Angela Brena, The Sanctuary at KIGR Angela Saunders, Gemini Hospitality Anna LaPlante, Fuzzy's Taco Shop Ashleigh Kahn, bartaco Ashley Daugherty, BJ's Restaurants Bryn Dineen, Nemacolin Caleb Beck, FAT Brands Camila Da Costa Landim, Portal da Praia Hotel Carlos Ricardez, Dine Brands Global - Applebee's Carol Stirn, Culver Franchising System, LLC Carolina Machado, The Flame Broiler, Inc. Carson Beans, Nemacolin Resort Charles Wright, Cunningham Restaurant Group Chris McKinney, Edley's Restaurant Group Chris Prince, Jim N Nick’s BBQ Christopher Brown, IHOP Crystal Keehn, SSCP Management Crystal Wanke, Lee County CVB
Diana Burns, Corner Bakery Cafe Em Villanueva, Dine Brands Global - Applebee's Emily Georgia, Xanterra Travel Collection Esper Baldonado, US Air Force Lodging Gary Ragha-Rook, Tatsu-ya Gary Whitney, Little Caesars Enterprises, Inc. Greta Miguel, Kalahari Resorts Heather Sloan, honeygrow Jack Benson, Little Caesars Enterprises, Inc. Jackie Wagner, Domino's Jackson Ernest, City of Detroit GSD Parks & Recreation James Yi, Din Tai Fung Jamieson Maurer, bartaco Jason Garcia Quinones, Kalahari Resorts Jason Mewborn, Kalahari Resorts Jennifer Lortz, Inspire Brands Jennifer Wilkerson, Fuzzy's Taco Shop Jesus Armendariz Fierro, Whataburger Jillian Melton, Welcome To Memphis Julie Thompson, Zaxby’s Kameil Brown, Half Moon Hotel - Salamander Collection Kate Ledford, Dine Brands Global - Applebee's Eva Echeverria, SSCP Management/SONIC
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