Nominate by clicking here

About: The restaurant industry’s employee proposition is a hardly a new story. But it’s never been under the microscope like it is today. The tightening labor pool and “Great Resignation” forced brands to pay closer attention to recruitment, benefits, retention tactics and, simply, how they treat and support their workers.

QSR recognizes the restaurant chains leading the charge when it comes to being an employer of choice. For the third consecutive year, we’re in search of QSR’s Best Brands to Work For.
 
Fill out your information below by end of day Monday, August 19. The winners will be featured in QSR’s November 2024 issue.
 
NOMINATION FORM
Company: WaBa Grill
Locations: 194
Benefits and Employee Perks:
WaBa Grill prioritizes employee well-being and professional growth by offering a comprehensive benefits package and a variety of financial and lifestyle perks, including:

  • 401(k) Plan with company match up to 4%
  • Free Daily Lunch
  • Hybrid Work Schedule (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday office days; Wednesday and Friday home office days)
  • Employee Referral Program
  • BKE Scholarship Fund
  • WaBa Grill Cares Initiative
  • WaBa Grill Women’s Forum
 
In addition to its competitive benefits package, WaBa Grill offers several internal support programs to corporate and restaurant employees. The company’s BKE Scholarship Fund awards $2,000 annually to 15 WaBa Grill family members pursuing higher education, and its WaBa Grill Cares initiative offers interest-free loans to team members facing unexpected financial challenges. Further supporting employees' professional and personal development, the WaBa Grill Women’s Forum hosts monthly gatherings allowing WaBa Grill’s female employees at both the corporate and restaurant level to foster professional growth and connect over meaningful conversations to enhance career trajectories. These benefits, combined with WaBa Grill’s family-like work environment and strong focus on internal promotions, make WaBa Grill an exceptional place to build a rewarding career.
 
Why is Your Restaurant a Best Brand to Work For?
WaBa Grill sets itself apart by offering employees a clear pathway to growth and success within the organization. Internal promotions are a cornerstone of WaBa Grill’s culture, with 52% of its 36-member corporate team having risen through the ranks and transformed their roles and responsibilities across accounting, development, operations, IT and marketing. WaBa’s commitment to internal promotion demonstrates the company’s belief in nurturing talent and providing every employee the opportunity to advance their career within the organization.
 
Employees at WaBa Grill enjoy working in a close-knit, collaborative environment that feels more like a family than a workplace. The corporate office’s small but mighty size encourages cross-functional teamwork, where every individual’s efforts are recognized and rewarded. Achievements are celebrated throughout the year with triannual cash bonuses, gift cards and celebratory lunches, fostering a supportive and encouraging atmosphere. Employees take pride in being part of a brand that prioritizes health, both in its food offerings and its workplace environment. WaBa Grill’s mantra, "Eat Smart, Be Healthy," reflects its dedication to providing fresh, cooked-to-order meals that taste great and support a healthy lifestyle.
 
Reinforcing its family-like environment, WaBa Grill provides daily team lunches for its corporate employees. These lunches represent more than just a meal; they are an opportunity for team members to connect, share ideas and build strong relationships in a relaxed setting. This daily ritual reinforces WaBa Grill’s commitment to a positive and cohesive workplace culture.
 
Impressively, WaBa Grill’s executive team boasts more than 120 years of combined experience in the restaurant industry. Leaders like Afshin Compani (Chief Operations Officer), Mark Finnegan (Chief Marketing Officer) and Renny Freet (Chief Organizational Officer) have extensive knowledge and firsthand experience in the business, ensuring employees are guided by professionals who truly understand the industry.
 
With WaBa Grill’s ongoing growth, new positions frequently open, providing ample opportunities for team members to advance. WaBa’s best-in-class retention rate – a stunning 98% at the corporate level - is a testament to the satisfaction and fulfillment employees experience working at WaBa Grill, where hard work and dedication are rewarded with opportunities for promotion. In an industry with infamously high turnover rates, WaBa Grill’s corporate team averages a 4.3-year tenure, far outlasting the food service industry’s 1.7 years.
 
WaBa Grill is more than just a place to work; it’s a place where careers are built, talents are nurtured and employees are valued every step of the way. Going above and beyond the standard benefits package and work-life balance, WaBa Grill invests in its employees’ financial and personal well-being through career development opportunities, a family-oriented culture and companywide programs supporting education, hardship recovery and personal growth.