This week, Leadership Colorado participants gathered at Snooze, an A.M. Eatery’s Denver headquarters for an inside look at the restaurant industry—an essential sector that employs 11% of Colorado’s workforce and generates $426 million in state sales tax revenue annually. With 70 successful locations across 10 states, Snooze provided an open forum for discussions on leadership, culture, and the evolving challenges of the industry.
An energetic panel featuring Bill Long (President & CFO), Brianna Borin (Chief People & Culture Officer), and Jeremy Edmonds (VP of People & Culture) shared insights on cultivating and protecting workplace culture. Participants explored the power of heart-centered leadership, learning that true success isn’t achieved alone – it comes from empowering others, fostering growth, and taking a moment every day to make a difference in someone’s life. The session also featured an interactive core values exercise, guiding each participant in identifying the personal values that drive their careers and leadership styles.
The discussion expanded to broader industry challenges, including employee engagement, post-COVID industry shifts, and legislative priorities impacting restaurants. Rebekah Hernandez (Manager of Government Affairs, Colorado Restaurant Association) provided valuable insights into the evolving legislative priorities shaping the future of the industry.
Through this program, Leadership Colorado participants left with a deeper understanding of leadership in action – business success is built on culture, curiosity, and people-first values.
After this program, participants said:
“Hearing the Snooze leadership team talk about their company culture, investing in their people, and living their values every day was very inspiring. Loved listening to them talk about their growth as a company and how their culture drives results and profitability.”
“The program was excellent! The highlight for me was the honest and transparent fireside discussion on the challenges of balancing employee desires and needs with the regulatory requirements which effect the business operations and finances. I did not know profit margins were so tight in the food industry.”
“I enjoyed the leadership values exercise. I’ll definitely take that back to my team!”
Thank you to Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, for being fantastic hosts to Leadership Colorado and teaching us so much about this industry!