Today I'm joined by Healey Mendicino, who shares her journey to becoming the president of Port of Subs, a beloved 52-year-old nationwide sandwich shop. We also dive into the nuances of franchising and what it takes to successfully grow in today's ever-changing environment. We also learn about Healey's favorite sub order!…

This time on the Women in Restaurant Leadership podcast, we're joined by Brandy Blackwell, VP of Marketing at Another Broken Egg Cafe. Brandy opens up about her inspiring career journey, unique leadership style, and what it takes to thrive as a woman in a male-dominated industry. We’ll also dive into the “Brunch Boom” phenomenon and explore how Ano…

In this episode, we talk with Monica Patel, KPA’s Software Product Manager, and Taylor Thorn, Senior Product Director at KPA about contract workers. We discuss the opportunities and challenges of managing workers from outside an organization, including setting training standards, ensuring regulatory compliance, and flagging site-specific risks. We …

Today we're joined by Jennifer Dodd, CEO of Main Squeeze Juice Company! In this episode, we talk about everything under the sun when it comes to career growth. With over 30 years of experience leading successful turnarounds, driving strategic growth, and empowering diverse teams across brands like The Melting Pot, Tim Hortons, Dunkin’ Donuts, Apple…

This week I'm joined by Emily Rugaber, VP of Marketing at Thanx. She's a leading expert in digital transformation, loyalty, and data-driven restaurant marketing. Together, we explore how customer behavior has evolved over the past few years and the pivotal role that digital transformation plays in shaping loyalty programs today. Emily breaks down t…

In this episode of The Safety Meeting, we connect with Greg McCully, founder and managing partner of 2Six Advisors, to discuss building an EHS toolkit for different types of organizations with a commitment to safety. (00:52) – Caring about EHS (02:11) – Managing unique risks (03:51) – Two types of organizations (07:10) – EHS software benefits (10:0…

Once upon a time, Wetzel's Pretzels was the go-to treat during your annual "school clothes shopping" marathon at the mall. Fast forward to today, and Wetzel's has stepped beyond the mall scene, spreading pretzel joy through food trucks, Walmart partnerships, and stand-alone bakeries. In this week’s episode, Hillary Frei and I dig into how Wetzel's …

Auntie Anne's. Cinnabon. Carvel. Moe's Southwest Grill. If these brands sound familiar to you, listen up! On this week's episode, Kristen Hartman, President of Speciality Brands for GoTo Foods (formerly Focus Brands), discusses the evolution of co-branded QSR concepts. She gets down into the nitty gritty of what makes a co-branded concept successfu…

In this episode of The Safety Meeting, we connect with Jade Brainard, KPA’s Senior Director of Product, and David Finley, Director of Health, Safety, and Environmental at Dolese Bros. Co., discuss setting safety goals, measuring meaningful metrics, and leadership buy-in and visible commitment to safety. (2:19) – Setting smart metrics and KPIs (5:25…

Mistie's seen it all. From mystery shopping to operational development, team training, and more, she helps restaurants and hospitality companies enhance their guest experience through team building and culture development. We discuss some of the biggest challenges facing the industry today in terms of making employees feel seen, heard, and valued..…

Meet Linda Chadwick, president and CEO of Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard. In today’s episode, we discuss her 25-plus years of experience in the industry, the moments that defined her leadership strategy, the fundamentals that shape Rita’s culture, and the idea of balancing nostalgia with innovation. Plus, I found out what her favorite Rita’s f…

In this episode of The Safety Meeting, we connect with Jill Schaefer, KPA’s Director of Content Management, and Taylor Thorn, KPA’s Senior Product Director and founder of Anchor Rock, about strategies for creating effective toolbox talks. Jill and Taylor overview how to increase energy and engagement in safety meetings and outline how digital proce…

On this week’s episode, we're joined by Julie Zucker, CMO of Branded Strategic Hospitality and WiRL advisory board member. We’re talking about all things balance. 🧘🏻‍♀️ How do you find and maintain balance as your priorities shift in your personal and professional life? By sharing her life experiences, Julie tackles the big feelings of guilt, mothe…

Welcome to Episode No. 1 of the Women in Restaurant Leadership podcast, a new initiative from the editors behind QSR and FSR magazines. We start by diving into the world of culinary with WiRL advisory board member Mindy Armstrong, who walks us through a day in her life as VP of Menu Innovation for beloved brands Perkins and Huddle House. We explore…

In this episode of The Safety Meeting, we connect with Zach Pucillo, KPA’s EHS Regulatory Compliance Manager, for a mid-regulations review. Zach overviews changes that have occurred thus far in 2024 ranging from updated chemical bans from the EPA, the expansion of hazardous material response plans under the Clean Water Act, and OSHA’s evolving regu…

In this episode of The Safety Meeting, Jeremy Denton, Senior Construction Safety Engineer with Alpha & Omega Safety, discusses a multifaceted approach to success in workplace safety. His toolbox for success includes embracing the many capabilities of digital tools, building trust and genuine connections, and investing in the future of safety profes…

In this episode of The Safety Meeting, KPA’s Emily Hartman, Senior Marketing Communications Manager, and Jade Brainard, Senior Director of Product Management, highlight KPA Connect. Launched in 2022, the customer community provides a space for user collaboration and discussion to take full advantage of KPA Flex software’s capabilities and impact fu…

In this episode of The Safety Meeting, KPA’s AJ Ruperto (Manager of Video Acquisition), Rachel Hook (Training and Quality Manager), and Kyle Morton (Lead Editor) discuss crafting effective and memorable safety training materials. AJ, Rachel, and Kyle share tips for balancing training techniques, addressing employees of all levels, and battling dise…

In this episode of The Safety Meeting, KPA’s Senior Product Director Taylor Thorn discusses the evolution of construction site safety technology and embracing software solutions for efficiency and risk mitigation. (00:49) – Embracing technology in construction sites (05:28) – Readily available safety data (08:46) – Adopting new technologies (12:33)…

In this episode of The Safety Meeting, KPA’s EHS Regulatory Compliance Manager Zach Pucillo discusses evolving regulations—from OSHA, EPA, and FAA—and focus areas in workplace safety for 2024. Zach overviews OSHA’s National Emphasis Programs, newly implemented and imminent regulations, and embracing virtual safety training in 2024. (00:47) – 2024’s…

In this episode of The Safety Meeting, KPA's Mulango Akpo-Esambe (Lead Animator) and Shawn Smith (Product Director of Training and Content) discuss designing engaging and effective safety training materials. Mulango and Shawn provide insight into strategies for training and emerging trends—including immersive experiences, real-world case studies, a…

In this episode of The Safety Meeting, KPA’s EHS Regulatory Compliance Manager Zach Pucillo overviews the top 10 OSHA violations in 2023, provides insight into shifts in citation frequency and industries of concern, and shares KPA’s training and customizable solutions to combat unsafe working conditions. (00:33) – OSHA’s top 10 most frequently cite…

In this episode of The Safety Meeting, KPA's Amanda Rawls discusses how safety professionals can ensure a strong year-end finish. She stresses the importance of looking back — self-assessment, reviewing incident trends, and training completions — while also planning ahead to proactively consider new technology, 2024 budgets, and goals. (00:36) - Wh…

Health and safety programs can be perceived as slowing down processes and disrupting production. In this installment of The Safety Meeting, Jade Brainard, Product Director at KPA, discusses how a well-designed digital safety program can actually speed things up, having a positive impact on productivity and the bottom line. (00:35) - How EHS program…

On this week’s episode of the Safety Meeting, EHS Regulatory Compliance Manager Zach Pucillo is back with a two-part, midyear update on changes from OSHA and the EPA. In this second installment, Zach covers the latest from the EPA. Be sure to check out part one to hear about recent updates from OSHA. (00:48) - Forever chemicals: PFAS & PFOA (05:56)…

On this week’s episode of the Safety Meeting, EHS Regulatory Compliance Manager Zach Pucillo is back with a two-part, midyear update on changes from OSHA and the EPA. In this first installment, Zach covers the latest from OSHA, including the current status of the Heat Illness rule. Be sure to check out part two to hear about recent updates from the…

In the current financial climate, many companies are looking for items to cut from the budget. A quality safety program should not be one of them. Safety issues don't disappear when ignored, and doing nothing can actually cost a company significantly in the long run. That's why Deren Boyd, KPA's SVP of New Markets has joined to talk about all the c…

In this episode of The Safety Meeting, we’re joined by Shawn Smith, KPA’s Product Director of Training, to discuss microlearning, and how this targeted approach can help improve the effectiveness of your safety training programs. (00:33) – What is microlearning? (01:22) – Integrating with traditional training (02:56) – Delivery methods (04:22) – Mi…

In this installment of The Safety Meeting, we’re joined by Jade Brainard, Product Director at KPA, to discuss fostering a culture of safety and measuring engagement through practical, relevant, and interactive tools and approaches. (0:53) – Engaging frontline workers (4:52) – Measuring engagement (6:41) – Utilizing bite-size information (9:15) – Tr…

On this week’s episode of the Safety Meeting, Erin reconnects with Zach Pucillo, EHS Regulatory Compliance Manager at KPA. We discuss upcoming changes from OSHA and the EPA, as well as safety program tips to start the year off strong. Tune in to hear a few colorful workplace stories directly from an NSC Rising Star of Safety, and how he stays motiv…

In this installment of The Safety Meeting, we’re joined by Shawn Smith, Product Director of Training at KPA, to discuss several important Annual Training and Content Survey results. (0:37) – Annual Training and Content Survey (3:36) – Behavior safety and preparing managers (5:39) – KPA’s training team (8:25) – The best method for running a safety p…

In this installment of The Safety Meeting, we’re joined by Dale Golgart, Senior Sales Associate at KPA, to discuss integrating EHS mobile technology for timely, efficient reporting in the field. (0:39) – Getting time back (3:33) – Integrating software (5:14) – Mobile technology (7:54) – Customizable training (10:06) – Embracing QR codes (12:47) – A…

In this installment of The Safety Meeting, we’re joined by Jade Brainard, Product Director at KPA, to discuss several important EHS State of the Industry Benchmark Report findings. (1:09) – Key areas of focus (3:16) – Challenges in meeting EHS focus goals (6:23) – Mobile access (7:35) – Confidence in EHS programs (9:50) – Increasing confidence thro…

This week on The Safety Meeting, we’re joined by Greg Sizemore, Vice President of Health, Safety, Environment, and Workforce Development for ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors), to discuss the staggering impact of substance abuse in the workplace and ensuring health and safety through awareness and prevention. (0:59) – Substance abuse in the …

This week on The Safety Meeting, Sage is joined by Dale Golgart, Senior Sales Associate at KPA, to discuss proper equipment inspections and providing a safe environment for employees through consistency and documentation. (0:39) – Critical role of equipment inspections (1:36) – OSHA’s guidelines (2:45) – Top ten citations (4:52) – Forklift incident…

On this episode of The Safety Meeting, Sage is joined by Rob Stansbury, Director of Sales at KPA, to discuss the role that insurance brokers play in employer driven safety. (00:30) - Adoption of technology (01:54) - Cyber coverage (03:08) - Appropriate solutions (05:23) - Staying sticky (08:08) - Bottom line savings (09:27) - Proactive and preventa…

On this installment of The Safety Meeting, Sage is joined by Alaina Adair, Customer Care Manager at KPA, to discuss how automating your safety metrics can help alleviate stress on your admin team and save the time and frustration that comes with manual entry. (00:28) - Hot topics (02:04) - Fully utilizing EHS software (03:52) - Improved tracking (0…

This week on The Safety Meeting, Sage is joined by Craig Downey, regional sales manager at KPA, to discuss the importance of keeping your safety policies and training up to date, backing these up with proper documentation, and keeping your programs in check with third party auditing. (00:31) - Who is Craig Downey? (01:36) - Components of compliance…

On this episode of The Safety Meeting, guest host Toby chats with Wayne Curtis, Consulting Team Leader at KPA, about the rise of electric vehicles, how dealerships are able to accommodate the changes they bring, and how to address EV safety concerns. (00:56) - Accommodating electric vehicles (02:42) - Servicing safety concerns (05:02) - Preventativ…

In this week’s installment of The Safety Meeting, Sage speaks with Dale Golgart, Senior Sales Associate at KPA, to explain how utilizing a safety software can simplify your work as a safety leader within your company. Plus, learn about how KPA evolved from its first iteration, iScout. (00:28) - KPA’s inception (04:06) - Keeping track (05:25) - Born…

On this episode of The Safety Meeting, Sage speaks with Jill Schaefer, Director of Content Management at KPA, and Shawn Smith, Product Director at KPA. They discuss how creating a healthy work environment goes beyond physical safety and encompasses an employee’s total experience, from the community they live in, to their home life, and everything i…

This week on The Safety Meeting, Sage speaks with Micah O’Shaughnessy, Regulatory Project Manager at KPA. They discuss preparing for the hot summer months by understanding the signs of heat illness and implementing basic precautionary measures to prevent it in the first place. Plus, hear why empowering and educating employees should be your first l…

This week on The Safety Meeting, Sage welcomes back Greg Sizemore, Vice President of health, safety, environment, and workforce development for ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors). Listen for a step-by-step guide to building a safe working environment from the ground up by implementing the discoveries from the 2022 Performance Report. (00:45)…

This week on the Safety Meeting, Sage is joined by Chris Fanning, CEO at KPA, to talk about the three types of solutions KPA offers to help clients develop workplace safety programs. Tune in to hear how adopting a holistic approach to safety training will better implement safety-driven cultural change in the long run. (00:32) - The KPA elevator pit…

On this installment of The Safety Meeting, Sage is joined by Ryan Daly, F&I District Manager for KPA. Listen in to hear Ryan talk about why payment transparency with customers will help your dealership in the long run and why privacy training is important for helping clients feel secure within your business. (00:32) - Benefits of F&I (01:55) - Paym…

This week on the Safety Meeting, Sage is joined by Greg Sizemore, Vice President of health, safety, environment, and workforce development for ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors). Tune in for an insightful conversation on committing to the safety of your workers, laying the foundation for your safety programs, and believing that people matter…

On this week’s episode of the Safety Meeting, Sage is joined by Zach Pucillo, Mid Atlantic District Team Supervisor at KPA, to chat about the importance of being involved in safety culture from a leadership perspective. Tune in to hear about how cutting corners costs more in the long run and the difference between complacency, compliance, and cultu…

In this installment of The Safety Meeting, Sage is joined by Chris Fanning, CEO at KPA, to discuss what ESG standards are exactly, and why they’re here to stay. Listen in for tips on how to take the lead on these important initiatives so that your business can thrive. (0:28) - ESG defined (1:17) - Starting at the top (3:40) - Guiding clients toward…

In this week’s episode of The Safety Meeting, Sage is joined by Jade Brainard, Product Director at KPA, to talk about how data and analytics not only help develop preventative safety measures, but predictive safety measures, as well. Listen in for a deep dive on leading indicators and why creating a safe work environment goes beyond injury metrics.…

In our very first Safety Meeting, Sage is joined by Shawn Smith, Product Director at KPA, to discuss the results of the KPA Client Training Survey and what they say about the future of safety and compliance best practices. Hear Shawn discuss survey highlights, the importance of harboring a culture of safety, and how best to structure safety trainin…