Restaurant CEO calls for employees to have a day off with family members.
For the first time in more than two decades, Steve Flynn will be home with his family for the holidays.
Flynn is off from work this year because Ted’s Montana Grill is closing for Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve for the first time since its inception in 2002.
“I’m excited to be able to spend time with my family,” said Flynn, proprietor of Ted’s in Tallahassee. “For 20 plus years, I have literally worked every holiday.”
Those years were spent working at other restaurants. Flynn has only worked at Ted’s since March, but still he’s looking forward to having his sisters and mother come to Tallahassee to spend Thanksgiving with him, his wife and two daughters, ages 19 and 14.
“I can’t tell you how many holidays have been strained,” said Flynn. “Either it was ‘let’s hurry up because I have to go to work’ or waiting for me to get home from work.”
Michael Brabson, has been a bartender at Ted’s for 10 years and the last time he was off on Thanksgiving was five years ago. This year, he’ll be visiting his relatives in Clearwater.
As a tipped employee, Brabson will be missing out on extra income by not working on the holidays, but “I would really enjoy being with my family as well,” he said.
Faced with the “Great Resignation”– which refers to the large-scale exodus of workers from the job market — many restaurateurs are struggling with staff shortages, said George McKerrow, CEO and co-founder of Ted’s Montana Grill with media entrepreneur and social activist Ted Turner. The restaurant is known for its steaks, bison and seafood on a varied, family-friendly menu.
The businesses most impacted by the loss of workers have been the restaurant and retail industries, said McKerrow, who also founded Longhorn Steakhouse, which is now a Darden restaurant. “These are unprecedented times. There was a full and complete shutdown of the restaurant industry.”
“We’re constantly struggling to keep restaurants staffed,” said McKerrow.
Restaurateurs are also looking for ways to keep their employees.
While Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve are among Ted’s biggest sales days of the year, it was time to give employees a chance to be with their families, he said.
“The most important thing we can do is take care of our people,” said McKerrow, who encourages everyone in the restaurant business to take a break over the holidays.
Tallahassee’s Ted’s is one of 39 restaurants in 16 states. It’s also in the top 5 for Ted’s with the lowest turnover, said Jessica Smith, vice president of marketing.
One reason, said Brabson, is that the staff at Ted’s is like family. “We have softball teams, play fantasy football. We hang out together.”
That said, employees would like the opportunity to see their own families, Brabson said.
Added Flynn: “My biggest takeaway is that Ted’s wants to re-invest in its people,” said Flynn. “Let’s give them some wins. Let’s give them the opportunity to have these holidays with family instead of coming to work.”
“I’m excited to be able to spend time with my family,” said Flynn, proprietor of Ted’s in Tallahassee. “For 20 plus years, I have literally worked every holiday.”
Those years were spent working at other restaurants. Flynn has only worked at Ted’s since March, but still he’s looking forward to having his sisters and mother come to Tallahassee to spend Thanksgiving with him, his wife and two daughters, ages 19 and 14.
“I can’t tell you how many holidays have been strained,” said Flynn. “Either it was ‘let’s hurry up because I have to go to work’ or waiting for me to get home from work.”
Michael Brabson, has been a bartender at Ted’s for 10 years and the last time he was off on Thanksgiving was five years ago. This year, he’ll be visiting his relatives in Clearwater.
As a tipped employee, Brabson will be missing out on extra income by being off on the holidays, but “I would really enjoy being with my family as well,” he said.
Faced with the “Great Resignation,” many restaurateurs are struggling with staff shortages, said George McKerrow, CEO and co-founder of Ted’s Montana Grill with media entrepreneur and social activist Ted Turner.
The Great Resignation refers to the large-scale exodus of workers from the job market.
The businesses most impacted by the loss of workers have been the restaurant and retail industries, said McKerrow, who also founded Longhorn Steakhouse, which is now a Darden restaurant. “These are unprecedented times. There was a full and complete shutdown of the restaurant industry.”
“We’re constantly struggling to keep restaurants staffed,” said McKerrow.
Restaurateurs are also looking for ways to keep their employees.
While Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve are among Ted’s biggest sales days of the year, it was time to give employees a chance to be with their families, he said.
“The most important thing we can do is take care of our people,” said McKerrow, who encourages everyone in the restaurant business to take a break over the holidays.
Tallahassee’s Ted’s is one of 39 restaurants in 16 states. It’s also in the top 5 for Ted’s with the lowest turnover, said Jessica Smith, vice president of marketing.
One reason, said Brabson, is that the staff at Ted’s is like family. “We have softball teams, play fantasy football. We hang out together.”
That said, employees would like the opportunity to see their own families, Brabson said.
Added Flynn: “My biggest takeaway is that Ted’s wants to re-invest in its people,” said Flynn. “Let’s give them some wins. Let’s give them the opportunity to have these holidays with family instead of coming to work.”
Details: Ted’s Montana Grill is at 1954 Village Green Way; 850-561-8337. Menu /www.tedsmontanagrill.com/menu.html
Top photo by Tori Lynn Schneider / Tallahassee Democrat
3 comments
I think this is wonderful. I too work restaurants and retail for many years, you start dreading the holidays because it takes the true meaning away. Good for you and all your emmployees.
I think this is wonderful. I too worked restaurants and retail for many years, you start dreading the holidays because it takes the true meaning away. Good for you and all your employees.
Thank you very much Debbie! I know what you mean. When I worked at my newspaper job, I worked all the holidays. That gets old. I’m happy to see they get these days off. Happy Holiday to you!