Upscale-casual chain Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants rewards general managers and executive kitchen managers with free BMW leases for three years based on their ability to develop staffers. At a time when good labor—especially at the management level—is hard to come by, the program encourages managers to develop and mentor quality employees and build new leaders, even as they work on the day-to-day business.
- 50 Great Ideas
- 1. Teaching sustainability—and loyalty—young
- 2. Website shares local impact
- 3. Cutting down for delivery
- 4. The three C’s of social media
- 5. Coffee subscription program
- 6. High-tech service bell
- 7. Plated—or bowled—to share
- 8. Catering road map
- 9. Breakfast diner does nighttime-only menu
- 10. Social media-savvy valentines
- 11. Digital drive-thrus
- 12. Rewarding employee development
- 13. Birthday box
- 14. Appreciation for the cooks
- 15. Interruption-free service
- 16. Specialty catering packages
- 17. Educational receipts
- 18. Off-peak loyalty
- 19. Upcharge with CBD
- 20. Extended parental leave
- 21. Coaster-led convos
- 22. Taco Tuesday test
- 23. Catering to college crammers
- 24. Instagrammable creamer
- 25. Cut prices to reduce food waste
- 26. Ordering ‘dictionary’
- 27. 4-day work week
- 28. Support surcharge
- 29. Public gift certificate
- 30. Drop spot for delivery
- 31. Training for soft skills
- 32. Microtrainings
- 33. Instant icebreaker
- 34. Bonuses for hourlies
- 35. Group chats
- 36. Dinnertime delivery-only menu
- 37. Treat drivers as guests
- 38. Gum disposal
- 39. Gazpacho bar
- 40. Chef tech
- 41. Menu to amuse parents
- 42. Personalized weekly messages
- 43. Culture cards
- 44. Food waste for Fido
- 45. Eco-friendlier outfits
- 46. Self-supporting promo
- 47. Powered up with solar power
- 48. Throughput-boosting equipment
- 49. Picnic box
- 50. Formalizing innovation