Leadership Series: Unlocking Potential in the Restaurant Industry with Carin Stutz
President and CEO of Native Foods
Welcome to our Leadership Series, a collection of revisited conversations from our Savor.fm podcasts. We will be shedding light on the insights and experiences of leaders in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Today, we take you back to an engaging dialogue from the Turning Tables podcast between Kathleen Wood, host and growth strategist, and a titan of the food industry, Carin Stutz, President and CEO of Native Foods.
A luminary in the restaurant industry, Carin Stutz boasts a rich, expansive career that crosses multiple brands and borders. A stalwart of leadership and mentorship, she has held pivotal roles at Red Robin, McAlister's Deli, Cosi, Brinker International, Applebee's International, Wendy's International, Sodexo, U.S.A., and NutriSystem, Inc. Her vast experience and innovative approach to leadership make her insights invaluable.
So what is Stutz's secret to success? A robust focus on people. As she told Wood, “You can go out and find money, you can figure out how to fix the brand, you could find real estate, although they're all expensive and they're all equally challenging but people are the key.” She strongly believes in nurturing a talented team that aligns with the brand's mission and vision, which she views as a crucial element of any growth strategy.
Stutz's approach to mentorship evolved over time. Where she once emphasized leadership competencies, she now seeks to identify that one significant factor that can spark substantial growth when working with an individual. This strategic shift underscores the importance of personalized mentoring, an aspect she deems vital in the dynamic and fast-paced landscape of the restaurant industry.
During the conversation, the duo shed light on the GLEAM Network, a non-profit volunteer-based organization Stutz co-founded to nurture mentorship and leadership development in the underserved community in the restaurant and foodservice industry. Born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the initiative helps those who fell prey to widespread layoffs and seeks to empower front-line workers and middle management who may lack access to critical developmental resources.
Stutz's unique journey underscores her unwavering commitment to making an impact and her insatiable drive to keep doing so. In 2023, she advises leaders to turn their focus on nurturing talent, fostering growth, and leading with empathy.
Tune in to the entire conversation for an in-depth exploration of Stutz's approach to leadership, her plans for 2023, and a delightful role reversal as she turns the tables on host Kathleen Wood. Listen and learn from one of the industry's most seasoned leaders on how to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the restaurant and hospitality industry.
Developing The Future Through Mentoring
Stay tuned for more inspiring conversations from our Leadership Series, where we unearth the wisdom of industry trailblazers, delivering the insights you need to take your leadership skills to new heights.