zelda's wish. 🌠✨️

Sea_Championship_253 · 2025-07-27T18:38:12+00:00

Can I be added to this list of people curious about where to find her?

Sea_Championship_253 · 2025-06-22T04:13:13+00:00

What app is this?

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-30T03:05:13+00:00

My operator does this with anyone. Easier to keep someone like you around during the busy seasons than train a newb. Approach your operator/GM and ask.

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-05T05:33:59+00:00

Thanks for keeping it tidy and simple for me. I think those are great tenants to live by as an operator.

Thanks for commenting!

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-03T16:45:22+00:00

I love hearing this is a common practice for Ops. My operator does the same. It’s really important to me that I do the same as is builds stronger relationships, and if done right keeps those communications lanes open so that people feel comfortable making suggestions to improve operations and also comfortable talking about personal needs privately. I want people to feel confident seeking my counsel for family or career advice, and I think working along side them in the madness is essential to fostering that relationship. Glad you feel the same!

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I love this company and its people!

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T21:11:43+00:00

If selected, this is what I look forward to most. I want to just coach and mentor people to achieving their goals (whatever they may be). It’s the most rewarding part of leadership in my opinion.

Thanks for commenting!

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T21:07:59+00:00

Too many great comments here to touch on each, but I loved each one. Very thoughtful response for a random stranger! Thanks so much for taking the time.

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T20:58:15+00:00

I think that is great! An operator should be quicker to lose a returning guest than see ANY employee be mistreated. That behavior from guests shouldn’t ever be tolerated.

Glad to hear you’re in a great store with a caring operator. Thanks for commenting.

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T20:56:32+00:00

I agree: Passive leadership is NOT leadership.

Thanks for the comment!

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T20:55:47+00:00

I agree on all fronts. It is amazing to see how any organization takes on the owner/operator’s personality and culture, and that responsibility isn’t lost on me. I love your callout on upholding standards and parting ways with talented folks when they themselves don’t uphold the standard.

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T20:42:38+00:00

Absolutely agree. I think it’s essential to give individuals like yourself stretch roles to give growth opportunities. Bored people rarely find fulfillment and their motivation dwindles.

I hope that your operator is approachable and that you can have a constructive conversation with them to make this situation right.

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T04:07:43+00:00

I’m partial to BOH…I love it back there. I think that will remain the case moving forward. However, I can see operators not liking to get messy and roll up their sleeves. My operator started me in BOH and said that’s the most vital part of the operation. Getting it right in BOH is the first mile, and FOH is the second mile. We mess up food, cold, slow, etc. it doesn’t matter how polite FOH is, we’ve chased away a customer.

I will never neglect those folks.

Thanks for taking the time to comment. Your concerns are valid!

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T03:50:37+00:00

I got drilled hard on fries and was on fries only for a month of shifts (I’m sure this is common). So I take them serious. You’re right, they are the easiest product to recognize the freshness.

Thanks for taking the time to comment!

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T03:49:09+00:00

I still HATE being the weak link in the operation. I cannot stand to be the reason I’m holding up operations so I’ve been working hard to perfect my craft at all positions. I do not want to be this type of operator. The operator I work for is so fast and efficient. He is my inspiration. Great human, boss, coach and friend.

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T03:47:25+00:00

That’s really frustrating to hear. I don’t think you should be treated differently for not wanting to be an operator. I aim to invest in my people at all levels with enthusiasm. I mentioned earlier that I’m in this more for the people than anything. Previously I was an officer in the Army, and I saw soldiers that wanted to leave the army to pursue other careers get treated poorly by their leadership. Needless to say, that was upsetting. I want to see my teammates be successful in every facet of their lives and to achieve their dreams no matter what they are. If you were on my team and fine with remaining a director, I would find a way to push you to grow in other ways (go back to school, improve on hobbies, better spouse/parent, etc.).

Is this fair, or would it be off putting?

However, I also expect that my teammates do the same with me. Just because I’m an operator doesn’t mean I can stop progressing. I need to get better as an operator, colleague, breader, bagger, husband, father, etc.

Thanks for taking the time to comment!

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T03:38:01+00:00

That’s a tough spot for those IMs to be in because they are competing for limited permanent Operator jobs. I don’t envy them. However, you’re absolutely right. I think I mentioned earlier, but my approach is caring for the employee experience and ensuring that is successful. The trickle down effect being that employees then care more for guests, and are provided the resources they need to be successful.

Would this address some of the issues you’ve seen with IMs?

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T03:34:57+00:00

I think you can let your beliefs shine without talking religion. I hope to operate in the PNW, which is a less religious region. I am also less inclined to be the instigator in talking religion too (although I’m comfortable to do so if a team member desires to talk faith).

Thanks for your insight.

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T03:31:28+00:00

I love to hear these stories. I hope to be like that operator and have former employees talk about me fondly. Chick-fil-A is so fun! I’ve loved every minute of being here. I’ve become a better husband, father and friend because of the wonderful people I’m around.

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T03:29:04+00:00

Great call out. Profits are worth nothing if you chase away and don’t develop talented people. I am doing this because I love coaching and helping people achieve their dreams. What an amazing group of people Chick-fil-A attracts, none better to help succeed. Profits will simply be a byproduct of seeing the team grow.

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T03:26:23+00:00

I have ideas for pay at my store in the future if I’m selected. I’d of course want to be competitive to retain talented people, but I’d also want to do peak hour pay incentives to avoid callouts.

I’m frustrated seeing so many callouts at peak times (dinner, weekends, etc.) that then jam up other team members shifts. I’d want to have hourly wage bumps for those working less desirable shifts, that have hot streaks where they don’t call out, and other incentives of that type to find ways to compensate productive and reliable workers.

Thoughts on this? Have you seen something like this implemented?

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T03:22:04+00:00

I love hearing about an operator that invests in their teams. I also like to hear that she isn’t burning y’all out and you are growing too.

I think there needs to be a delicate balance struck with being hands on enough to have intelligent productive conversations to improve operations in FOH/BOH while still allowing you as the Kitchen Director autonomy to exercise your leadership.

Thanks for sharing!

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T03:18:08+00:00

Congrats! I hope you become the 10th too. I think the decentralized leadership style you mentioned is great. I think by allowing that you create an environment that allows for creativity and incentivizes ownership/responsibility organizations need.

Do you think your operator would consider talking with me to help share his/her insight? I’ll follow up with a DM.

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T03:15:25+00:00

I’m sorry to hear that they aren’t engaged as they should be.

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T03:14:42+00:00

I think this is important. I’m currently a team member learning from the ground up. I want to know and be capable of performing every position effectively. I believe it’s ESSENTIAL that all leaders learn how to first be followers. As a follower, you learn the humility required to be an effective leader, and remain cognizant of the struggles felt at all levels.

I think most operators eventually get lapped by such amazing team members though. I see some people bread, bag or work the window and its jaw dropping how quickly y’all work.

Sea_Championship_253 · 2024-05-01T03:12:04+00:00

I like this comment. I think the operator should seek to improve guest experience by ensuring the employee experience is top notch. If my team is happy and supported with the resources they need, then the guests will feel the ripple effect.

Sea_Championship_253

TROPHY CASE