Multi Unit Managers
A forum for those that lead more than one restaurant in their careers. A search for best practices and a balanced quality of life!
Restaurant Social Media
-
Andy Swingley
- 47, Male
- Lewis Center, OH
- United States
- Thomas & King
- Blog Posts (80)
- Discussions (68)
- Events
- Groups (11)
- Photos (233)
- Photo Albums
- Videos (11)
Andy Swingley's Groups
Andy Swingley's Discussions
Leadership group announces its "Best Practice" winner!!!
Started this discussion. Last reply by Amanda Vroom Aug 5, 2008. 3 Replies 0 Likes
Does it matter....?
Started this discussion. Last reply by Amanda Vroom May 9, 2008. 7 Replies 0 Likes
Are you a viewer or a commenter?
Started this discussion. Last reply by Amanda Vroom May 5, 2008. 14 Replies 0 Likes
Andy Swingley's Page
Latest Activity
Erle Dardick commented on Andy Swingley's group 'Multi Unit Managers'
for those of you who were not at the fast casual executive summit, check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlt26FeUglM&feature=colike
Leadership
For those that lead others in restaurants - heck if you lead others you belong here!
Techwholesale.com joined Andy Swingley's group
Multi Unit Managers
A forum for those that lead more than one restaurant in their careers. A search for best practices and a balanced quality of life!
Techwholesale.com joined Andy Swingley's group
Multi Unit Managers
A forum for those that lead more than one restaurant in their careers. A search for best practices and a balanced quality of life!
herky pollock joined Andy Swingley's group
Multi Unit Managers
A forum for those that lead more than one restaurant in their careers. A search for best practices and a balanced quality of life!
Erle Dardick joined Andy Swingley's group
Multi Unit Managers
A forum for those that lead more than one restaurant in their careers. A search for best practices and a balanced quality of life!
Jennifer Bryant joined Andy Swingley's group
Profile Information
- Zip Code
- 43035
- Title
- Regional Manager
- Company
- Thomas & King
- Restaurant Segment
- Casual Dining
- I work at the unit level and my role is
- Not Applicable
- I work at the corporate level and my functional area is
- Operations
- I work for the foodservice industry and my profession is
- Not Applicable
- In which categories do you purchase, or specify the purchase of products for your organization?
- Chemicals, Dry Goods, Equipment, Fresh Foods, Frozen Foods, Liquor / Wine / Beer, Paper Goods, Systems (technology), Services
- Interests
- Career Advancement, Consulting, Learning, Making Friends, Networking
- Personal Quote
- It's the people, stupid.....
- Biography
- Andy Swingley has 12 years of experience in multi-unit leadership and 25 years experience in the food service industry. Currently the Regional Manager of 30 restaurants at Thomas & King, DBA Applebee's Andy leads teams in producing over 80 million in annual sales. Prior to Applebees, Andy spent ten years with the famous upscale restaurant and nightclub group Bobby McGees working from hourly Food Server to General Manager. Andy is well known for his leadership and team building development, sales building, and intense focus on the profitability of operations.
Specialties:
Future operational planning, leadership development, large group teaching, new restaurant openings, hiring, training, business plan development, operations process management, dynamic public speaking skills, proven time management skills and forward thinking
- Years in the Industry
- 25
Andy Swingley's Photos
Andy Swingley's Videos
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50 kids get a Wii
Added by Andy Swingley 1 Comment 0 Likes
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Dumb blonde
Added by Andy Swingley 6 Comments 0 Likes
Andy Swingley's Blog
A Tribute To My Team
Posted on August 9, 2010 at 7:26pm 7 Comments 0 Likes
How many times have you heard that recognition is a part of successful
leadership?
How many times have you heard that you have to deposit in your team’s
emotional bank account 5 times positively before you can take one withdrawal?
How many times have you been told you get more bees with honey?
I thought this week I would write about the obvious positive impact of recognition
to your team’s success, your long-term goals, and improving your… Continue
leadership?
How many times have you heard that you have to deposit in your team’s
emotional bank account 5 times positively before you can take one withdrawal?
How many times have you been told you get more bees with honey?
I thought this week I would write about the obvious positive impact of recognition
to your team’s success, your long-term goals, and improving your… Continue
Leadership from the Deep End of the Pool
Posted on July 26, 2010 at 7:54pm 1 Comment 0 Likes
In the FOHcus last Friday, the first paragraph simply and eloquently states:…
Continue $6 Million Dollar Man
Posted on June 28, 2010 at 7:41pm 1 Comment 0 Likes
Disclaimer: I so wanted to make the title non-gender specific but it sounded stupid as person,…
Continue How did you get so damn smart?
Posted on June 8, 2010 at 4:10am 1 Comment 0 Likes
One of those leadership road hazards that most of us hit head-on at times is thinking that we have it all figured out and know all the answers. We spring to conclusions, discount ideas, and generally don’t listen either intentionally or not. Now, I don’t know about you but I can’t remember the last time I actually had an original thought. Don’t take that last remark as bad as I feel after typing it. What I mean is, think about it! Where do you get the ideas you implement every day? Here are the… Continue
Inspiration 101
Posted on May 17, 2010 at 6:59pm 1 Comment 0 Likes
Two ways to do it…..
Do it because I pay you.
Do it because I inspired you.
Both work.
One gets amazing results.
One gets short-term results.
One takes a lot of work, one not so much.
Inspiration takes a lot of work and some folks just aren’t willing to give what it takes to lead from this very important value.
What does it take you… Continue
Do it because I pay you.
Do it because I inspired you.
Both work.
One gets amazing results.
One gets short-term results.
One takes a lot of work, one not so much.
Inspiration takes a lot of work and some folks just aren’t willing to give what it takes to lead from this very important value.
What does it take you… Continue
You Can't Buy the Wag of a Tail
Posted on May 4, 2010 at 5:50am 3 Comments 0 Likes
“Money will buy a pretty good dog, but it won’t buy the wag
of its tail” –Josh Billings
I don’t know Josh, but his quote applied to more than just dogs, it applies to people too! If you know me, you know I grew up training dogs in obedience trials and many of the things I learned there apply to what I know about helping people to win. Training dogs is a struggle because they can’t tell you…
Continue Block and Tackle
Posted on April 19, 2010 at 7:05pm 2 Comments 0 Likes
Every day in the restaurant we are surrounded by chances to throw the long ball….change something about our menu, our service, our décor or ambiance, something that will make an overwhelming impact on the future of our business. Call it a magic pill that will solve our most overwhelming problems or struggles in…
Continue Fear of loss vs Potential for Gain
Posted on April 5, 2010 at 6:10pm 3 Comments 0 Likes
So many questions recently from folks telling me about their struggles in shifting from a “command and control” leadership style to a more acceptable “grow, learn, and develop” style. They all include the same thing, speed and accountability. Here are just a few.
“It seems to take so long to gain ground.”
"My boss needs results faster from me and I am going to have to just make my people do it soon.”
“My team doesn’t always take… Continue
“It seems to take so long to gain ground.”
"My boss needs results faster from me and I am going to have to just make my people do it soon.”
“My team doesn’t always take… Continue
Lifecycle of a New Manager
Posted on March 15, 2010 at 8:03pm 9 Comments 0 Likes
I have seen two approaches to placing a new manager into a restaurant. The first angle is train them fast, throw them in the deep end of the pool and they either drown or they tread water long enough to find the edge of the pool and get out safely, learning never to be allowed to be thrown in the pool again, but it takes a lot of time and money to get them out of the pool. Some drown and don’t make it. The second approach is train them effectively, put them in a learning environment, and foster… Continue
Undercover Bull*&%^
Posted on March 1, 2010 at 7:25pm 5 Comments 0 Likes
I am so disenchanted!!! Now I have worked for many CEOs….actually only two…one pretty crazy the other one not. So I have been watching the new TV show “Undercover Boss” and after four weeks of one hour segments on the CEOs of Waste Management, Hooters, 7-Eleven, and now White Castle, I have four hours lost in my life I can never get back.
Brilliant revelations from some of the leaders of their industry listed below.
Large Organizations have employees that love their… Continue
Brilliant revelations from some of the leaders of their industry listed below.
Large Organizations have employees that love their… Continue
The Checklist
Posted on February 15, 2010 at 7:12pm 7 Comments 0 Likes
Now before you make fun of me and call me names like “Anal Retentive”, “Dork”, or “Old School”, let me tell you, I very rarely forget anything and some would call me the nicest asshole they know. Why, because, my strength lies in two things, I think? They are my communication skills with people and my follow up skills. When coaching, folks ask me many times, how do you remember that stuff or I can’t believe you keep talking to me about that. Why, it’s simple, I am a checklist fanatic. Yep, I… Continue
"I" before "You"
Posted on February 1, 2010 at 3:54pm 1 Comment 0 Likes
Most of us own, operate, or assist other businesses in being successful and evaluation of the effectiveness of the business is the culminating point to our individual success. When evaluating my own operating situations some of the things I hear from my team are:
“I have some folks on my team I am going to replace with an upgrade”
“My manager or employee just doesn’t get it.”
“Right bus wrong seat.”
“The work ethic of today’s generation…so much… Continue
“I have some folks on my team I am going to replace with an upgrade”
“My manager or employee just doesn’t get it.”
“Right bus wrong seat.”
“The work ethic of today’s generation…so much… Continue
Please Keep Me!
Posted on January 18, 2010 at 7:54pm 16 Comments 0 Likes
As the new year rolls by, already mid January, we all reflect on what we can do better whether it be personal, professional, diet, more family time, etc., it is always a time for me to reflect on how do I keep more people in the boat rowing together with me. I want to lose less people than last year, increase the capacity of the people I do have, and improve my team by adding top-level performers. In this week’s blog I want to focus on keeping more people on my team. Now if you are reading… Continue
The Leadership Mindset!
Posted on October 7, 2009 at 6:43pm 3 Comments 0 Likes
Traditional leadership in business is founded on hierarchy.
Boss
Employee
Objective
The Boss tells you how to do it and when it has to be done
The Boss holds the key to the knowledge to accomplish the objective and they can chose to share that or not……
Your compensation is dependant on your success.
How is that working for you?
Is everyone doing what you tell him or her to do?
Are they exceeding your expectations with their… Continue
Boss
Employee
Objective
The Boss tells you how to do it and when it has to be done
The Boss holds the key to the knowledge to accomplish the objective and they can chose to share that or not……
Your compensation is dependant on your success.
How is that working for you?
Is everyone doing what you tell him or her to do?
Are they exceeding your expectations with their… Continue
Which came first?
Posted on September 9, 2009 at 5:20pm 9 Comments 0 Likes
How or Why?
I don’t know about you but in my day-to-day dealings in business, restaurant, and with people I feel like I can quickly deduce the problem anyone is experiencing and my thinking automatically turns to the solution. I mean I have been in the business a couple of days now so solving operational or execution issues is like walking, it just happens. Does this sound like you also?
Now… Continue
It doesn’t have to be work!
Posted on August 26, 2009 at 7:17pm 5 Comments 0 Likes
We all have to have a career…how we define our career is what sets us apart and makes us either happy or, well, not so happy.A career is needed to provide an income
A career is needed and frankly it is healthy, provides direction and organization
A career is one of the places where we meet others and expand our network
A career doesn’t have to be bad and it doesn’t have to be defined by someone else, it can be defined by you.
You need an Ultimate… Continue
Everything I learned about people, my dog taught me….
Posted on August 12, 2009 at 10:51pm 10 Comments 0 Likes
Before my restaurant career started my hobby was showing dogs in the obedience ring. It, I believe, is what gives me clarity in my views on people development and training. Here’s what I know.
To teach a dog to sit here are the steps:
1. Get down on one knee, say “Sit”, and then place your arm under the dog’s two front legs and lift them forward, while pushing down on the hindquarters and guide the dog into the sitting position.
2.… Continue
Lather, Rinse, Repeat
Posted on July 29, 2009 at 8:34pm 5 Comments 0 Likes
As we all know communication is the cornerstone of all things…business, relationships, results, you name it and it comes down to communication. Maybe I am the only one in a long-term relationship that has heard, “Well you obviously just misunderstood what I said”, right?
The other day I went to pick up my wife from getting her hair done and I was talking with her long term stylist and, as I often do, I made some sarcastic comment about the fact that I thought the directions on the… Continue
The other day I went to pick up my wife from getting her hair done and I was talking with her long term stylist and, as I often do, I made some sarcastic comment about the fact that I thought the directions on the… Continue
Don't shoot me, General Patton!
Posted on July 1, 2009 at 8:53pm 5 Comments 0 Likes
I want to take this week to introduce all of you to an up and coming blogger I met on Talent Revolution by the name of Don Hart. He just "gets" leadership and training. His message below is indicative of one of the Leadership roadblocks I see often in the workplace. You can find him on Talent Revolution and on Twitter as @voiceofWUBU. Not only is he talented in Leadership training but… Continue
Comment Wall (407 comments)
- At 7:45pm on October 7, 2009,
ken anderson said… - When was the last time you or the upper crust of this website voluntered ???? Its a mystery since you don't even talk to or allow the general population of FOB to comunicate w/ the people who started this website!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- At 10:45pm on September 11, 2009,
Food on Film said… - WOW! Andy, you've got a lot of points! Here's something you should tell all your friends about!
Watch a sample of the World Class Restaurant Service training film from World Class on Vimeo.
Award-Winning Training Film, World Class Restaurant Service Will Make You Money!
Whether you are a Restaurant Owner, a Restaurant Manager, or an aspiring Restaurant Waiter; invest in the techniques and knowledge that will make you money. With the World Class Restaurant Service training film, anyone can learn the principles for generating higher income and winning loyal customers, table by table, in the exciting world of customer service. Buy one DVD and train your entire staff!
Filmed against the breathtaking backdrop of Waikiki Beach, with it's world class beaches, resorts, and restaurants, this informative and entertaining DVD will capture your staff's attention as they learn about: Great Service, Serving a Quality Product, Showtime Attitude, Teamwork, Serving with Aloha, Product Knowledge, Greeting, Seating & Meeting the Guest, Winning Confidence, Increasing Sales, Anticipating Guest's Needs, Basic Service Standards, Wine Service, Lasting Impressions, and much more!
Visit us at: www.WorldClassProductionz.com
- At 7:37pm on August 27, 2009,
Jagadish C said… - Andy-
Check us out at http://www.pow-now.com. This is the company I founded. We are working with fine dining, casual dining, and smaller chains to promote their deals and offers. We distribute the same through sms (text), email, Facebook, iPhone, Blackberry, print, widgets, and affiliates. Since you manage a chain, any ideas/suggestions from you most welcome.
Best,
Jagadish
Jagadish Channagiri
Founder
Pow!, Inc
http://www.pow-now.com
jagadish@pow-now.com
650-245-1884 (C)
408-743-4449 (O)
- At 5:29am on August 19, 2009,
Ty Sullivan said… - I must say that the response to this piece has been tremendous. Funny how when we step back from the mechanics of what makes our industry tick and get to the (pardon the pun) "heart" of the matter, how we all remember why we are in this crazy business anyway.
Thanks for the great feedback my friend. It's a pleasure being in your company.
Ty
- At 5:35pm on August 18, 2009,
Bill Baumgartner said… - Thank you again for your encouragement. I never thought I had a talent for writing until I began posting articles on Fohboh.
BTW
Your posts are great!
Thanks again,
Bill
- At 9:47am on July 14, 2009,
Alyson Mar, RD said… - Hi Andy,
Thanks for the connection. I took a look at your blog, and there's some very motivational material on it. Look forward to reading more and talking to you on here!
Alyson
- At 5:34am on June 23, 2009,
Ty Sullivan said…
- Hello fellow FohBohist! Just introducing myself and saying, add me on as a contact and feel free to take a look at the new column/blog they gave me! Looking forward to knowing you and staying up to date with all your postings.
Best,
Ty
- At 8:49pm on June 14, 2009,
Rod Guinn said… - The honor is mine, Andy -- and also the embarrassment for taking so long. I thought I'd made the contact long ago.
- At 6:22pm on May 28, 2009,
Jeff Tenut said… - Hi Andy, is was a pleasure meeting you in person!
Let me know if you plan on going to CHART in August!
- At 5:52pm on May 6, 2009,
taniica jamison said… - Andy in the last week I will say I thoght I had reached my breaking point, I was almost ready to throw in the towel and quit, in the four years I have been with the company, I will say this is the first time I felt lost and alone until the day you stoped in and checked up on me. I will say I was happy to see that you took time out of your day to check on me and to make sure that I was ok, I can't tell you enough how much that ment to me. Thank you so much.
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