The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, announced the launch of Coca-Cola Leader Lab, a people-centric leadership program that addresses a significant issue facing the future of foodservice: attracting, developing and retaining an engaged frontline workforce.
Labor challenges, particularly the high turnover rates of frontline service employees, continue to be primary concerns of the foodservice industry. According to the most recent National Restaurant Association survey on restaurant business conditions, more than six in 10 restaurants are understaffed and 79% of operators say their restaurant currently has job openings that are difficult to fill. Although wages continue to be a driving factor in attracting talent, 70% of the variance in frontline employee engagement and performance is attributed entirely to frontline managers, according to a 2022 Gallup Workplace study.