From Restaurant Manager to Leader: Build the People Skills That Power Great Restaurants

Description

This two-part conference is designed for restaurant managers, assistant managers, and emerging leaders who are responsible for leading teams and want to strengthen their leadership skills. Whether you’re new to management or looking to level up, this program is for operators ready to move beyond day-to-day survival and lead with greater confidence, clarity, and impact. 

Part 1: ‘86’ Average Leadership 

‘86’ Average Leadership is a two-hour session built for restaurant managers who are done managing by survival and ready to lead with intention. No theory. No fluff. Just real conversations about what it takes to build a team that actually wants to stay—and a culture worth belonging to. Led by award-winning industry leader Tezra Bryant, whose track record speaks before she enters the room, this is the kind of professional development people talk about long after it’s over. You won’t sit in the back and take notes—you’ll be challenged, stretched, and sent back through your doors with clarity most managers spend years searching for. Seats are intentionally limited. This isn’t a typical breakout—it’s an invitation. Average leadership has been on the menu long enough. It’s time to 86 it. 

Presented by Tezra Bryant, The Restaurant MC 

Part 2: Core HR Skills for Restaurant Managers 

Strong operations start with strong people management. 

In Part 2, we turn leadership into action—focusing on the essential HR and people skills managers need to build better teams, handle challenges with confidence, and create workplaces people want to stay in. Led by Sarah Diehl and Emily Helms of Empowered Hospitality, this session breaks down what “HR” really means in a restaurant and why so many operational issues are actually people issues in disguise. 

You’ll learn how to: 

• Build a culture people stay for 
• Hire smarter and interview more effectively 
• Coach performance and handle difficult conversations 
• Navigate workplace issues and know when to escalate 

Stay ahead of common legal and compliance risks

You’ll walk away with: 

• Practical rules of thumb for everyday decisions 
• Clear frameworks to improve performance and reduce turnover 
• Greater confidence in leading the people side of your operation 

Presented by Empowered Hospitality