With almost a year in the restaurants opening, it’s nice to see the ownership realize its goals by taking the time to iron out the wrinkles that developed throughout the course of the restaurant’s operation.
On September 3rd, 2024, Soup ‘N’ Fresh decided to close its doors for the general populace on Labor Day as the owner, Bryan Garcia, hosted a paid 8-hour conference meeting. Prior to it starting, it was conveyed to the staff to not arrive wearing their restaurant uniform or shorts and sandals, this was said despite other casual clothing being allowed. Before the meeting’s commencement, the Soup ‘N’ Fresh staff were greeted with baked goods, as well as an assortment of breakfast themed refreshments to have. These included coffee (both caffeinated and decaffeinated), orange juice, and cranberry juice. The meeting started with the owner using an elephant metaphor in regards on how to deal with the issues that have arisen since the doors of Soup ‘N’ Fresh have opened. He then talked about his goals as the establishment continues to grow overall, one of them being that he co-owns the restaurant with his father, but wants his father to retire comfortably. That which hasn’t been done as the restaurant has had many hiccups in its early days.
As the meeting progressed, the owner talked about a multitude of issues. Two of the most talked about issues were punching in and punching out correctly during designated times as well as the lack of some equipment to facilitate the establishment’s business. Aside from addressing existing issues, the owner also referred to future developments and new policy decisions that would be made effective immediately. One of the new developments was the introduction of a new Soup ‘N’ Fresh establishment opening its doors in a different city. Another being the reintroduction of what the chain of command will be from now on, such as who is general manager, kitchen and floor manager, and the rest of the staff. With incidents happening at the establishment in the past, one of the most significant things talked about at the conference meeting was sexual assault.
Throughout the course of the event, the workers in attendance were given multiple 15-minute breaks in order to keep everyone actively engaged throughout the progression of the meeting. At the midpoint of the meeting, the employees in attendance were provided 1 hour of free lunch provided by the hotel’s catering. The Soup ‘N’ Fresh staff were provided a Mexican themed buffet where they were at their own liberty in choosing what they wanted to eat. Some of the food items provided by the hotel’s catering were the normal contemporary items one would find such as rice, beans, chicken fajitas, and tortillas among other items. Towards the end of the conference, Bryan held an extensive Q ‘n’ A that way if any of the restaurant staff needed clarification or if any issues were still not addressed throughout the bulk of the meeting. As a way to end the conference meeting, the Soup ‘N’ Fresh staff were greeted with a 1 hour open bar for them to get whatever they wanted. With the bar presenting itself, all staff under the age of 21 were told to leave early as alcohol was becoming present. After the meeting’s conclusion, operations at the main Rancho Cucamonga location will resume the next day with the new policies now in practice. When it comes to addressing equipment, it will be a process to install/add. With almost a year in the restaurants opening, it’s nice to see the ownership realize its goals by taking the time to iron out the wrinkles that developed throughout the course of the restaurant’s operation.
