Expert Insights
August 12, 2026
How can restaurants realign around purpose, values, and workforce strategy?
In this Expert Insights interview, Audrey Hogan talks with Mandy Monk, Chief People Officer at The People Advisers, about how hospitality brands can rediscover their identity, align operations with values, and lead with purpose. Mandy’s career path—from IT to HR to consulting—offers a unique lens on how to transform workforce strategies in the restaurant industry.
Watch the full video to explore what it means to lead with impact, why workforce transformation is the top priority in restaurants today, and how even small changes can yield powerful results.
People strategy starts with purpose: Many restaurants are rediscovering their core values, mission, and identity after years of disruption.
Leadership should be people-centered: Aligning workforce strategy with operations, IT, and finance creates long-term business impact.
The industry is returning to its hospitality roots: Mandy observes a shift back to guest and team member focus as the key to sustainable growth.
The ‘jumble jump’ career path is valid: Success doesn’t follow a ladder—it follows learning, flexibility, and taking risks.
Consulting isn’t just HR fluff: Mandy brings operational insight to workforce strategy, guiding CPOs and CEOs in transformation efforts.
Simple wins can move the needle: Many organizations just need outside perspective or a clear “how” to make effective change.
Workforce is now a cross-departmental focus: Industry-wide data confirms that workforce has become the unifying top priority for restaurants in 2025.
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Workforce Strategy: A business plan for recruiting, developing, and retaining employees aligned with company goals.
CPO (Chief People Officer): An executive who leads HR and people-focused initiatives within an organization.
Purpose-Driven Leadership: Leading with a focus on mission, values, and positive impact, especially on people.
Hospitality: The welcoming and generous service mindset foundational to restaurants and guest experiences.
Jumble Jump: A non-linear career path shaped by learning and flexibility rather than traditional promotion steps.
Thought Leadership: Expert insight and guidance that shapes strategy and drives industry conversations.
00:00 – Mandy Monk:
My name is Mandy Monk. I am the Chief People Officer for The People Advisers, a consulting business focused on hospitality and other industries.
00:14 – Audrey Hogan:
What was your first hourly job?
00:16 – Mandy Monk:
Brahms Ice Cream.
00:18 – Audrey Hogan:
What did you love about it?
00:19 – Mandy Monk:
Tuesday night inventory — we got to taste all the ice cream.
00:24 – Audrey Hogan:
What do you love about your current job?
00:26 – Mandy Monk:
Helping people and leaving a legacy. Making an impact not only on a business, but on people. Even if it’s just one.
00:35 – Audrey Hogan:
Better than ice cream. I love it. So what happened in between Brahms and now?
00:44 – Mandy Monk:
My journey’s different from most in HR. I started in IT — network engineering and programming for an insurance company. Then I became CIO for seven years. We built a custom claims system and I fell in love with training people on how to use it. That moved me into technical training, performance management, and talent. Then I joined Yum Brands and got deep into the franchise world, impacting a million employees worldwide across five brands. That’s when my love for restaurants and people really took off.
01:53 – Audrey Hogan:
I didn’t know about your technical background — you are so data-driven, it makes sense now.
02:07 – Mandy Monk:
Yes, people tell me I don’t sound like other HR folks. I’ve also owned two businesses, so I bring an operations mindset. I care about the bottom line. The fluffy stuff is nice, but it’s often a lagging indicator. I focus on leading indicators and keeping it simple — the industry’s not that complicated, we just make it that way.
02:33 – Audrey Hogan:
We’re here at the Workforce Management Summit in Dallas. What trends are you seeing in restaurants?
02:55 – Mandy Monk:
They’re coming back to people. Back to values, mission, and purpose. A lot of brands lost their identity, especially during COVID. Now they’re asking: who are we really? That clarity starts with people and guests and ripples out to investors.
03:55 – Mandy Monk:
BarTaco’s CEO said it beautifully — we’re not just guests, not just team members, not just investors. We’re all of those. And communication has to be transparent across all of them. That’s where the beauty is — in aligning those parts.
04:26 – Mandy Monk:
Most restaurant operators want change to happen fast, but aligning values and mission takes time. You can’t rush it.
04:46 – Audrey Hogan:
You’ve had such a dynamic career. If someone starting out wanted advice or mentorship, would you be open to connecting?
05:07 – Mandy Monk:
Absolutely. LinkedIn is the best place to reach me. People reach out all the time, and I’m happy to chat.
05:17 – Mandy Monk:
Be flexible, take risks, and always keep learning. I call my career a “jumble jump.” It’s not a ladder — it’s messy. But as long as you’re growing, you’re winning.
05:48 – Audrey Hogan:
And what about consulting? If a business wants your strategic insight, how should they reach out?
06:08 – Mandy Monk:
Same — LinkedIn, email, word of mouth. Most of my work comes from referrals. I work with CEOs and chief people officers on transforming business through talent strategy. It’s more than HR — it’s about operations, finance, and execution.
06:55 – Audrey Hogan:
For organizations still trying to find their “why” — I think you could guide them in a big way.
07:33 – Audrey Hogan:
We now have definitive data showing every restaurant department is unified around workforce. This is the moment to make meaningful change.
07:43 – Mandy Monk:
Exactly. It’s about helping organizations grow, even if it’s just moving the needle a little. Sometimes it’s low-hanging fruit they can’t see without outside help. We bring that perspective.
08:35 – Audrey Hogan:
Absolutely. Thank you so much.
08:38 – Mandy Monk:
Awesome.
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