Apple-Metro, Inc., the New York Metropolitan Area franchisee for Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar has recently been honored with another “Best Places to Work” Award, this time by industry publication, The Griffin Report.
The key to Apple-Metro’s success is consistency. Apple-Metro has a 50% internal promotion rate and a very high retention rate in a highly competitive restaurant industry. This is attributable to an aggressive Manager-In-Training Program aimed at identifying and nurturing talent at the restaurant level, a comprehensive 401k plan as well as the use of company cars and cell phones. In addition, the company invites Managers and their partners to set sail on an all-expense-paid cruise vacation every 18 months.
Another key to Apple-Metro’s workplace success lies in its structure. Early on the management structure was extremely flat, unencumbered by layers of personnel. Zane Tankel, CEO of Apple-Metro, Inc., transformed the management configuration allowing direct access to all support and office staff for nearly all 3,500 associates. In addition, those associates also have access to Mr. Tankel 24/7.
posted by Tiffany Haslacker
01/20/2013
