Staffing challenges are nothing new in hospitality—but what if the solution isn’t hiring faster, but partnering smarter? In this episode of Science of Service, we speak with Kerry Brodie, founder of Emma’s Torch, and Abe Monzon of Union Square Hospitality Group to explore how purpose-driven partnerships can strengthen teams and deliver real business results.
Kerry shares how Emma’s Torch trains and places refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking into meaningful culinary careers—and why retention, not just recruitment, is the true measure of success. Abe brings the operator perspective, explaining how these partnerships have improved team stability, culture, and long-term performance across USHG’s restaurants.
The conversation unpacks what it really takes to build loyal teams: thoughtful onboarding, ongoing support, empathetic leadership, and a hiring approach that values people as much as performance. Together, they show why “doing good” doesn’t have to come at the expense of doing well.
From reducing churn to creating a stronger guest experience, Kerry and Abe offer a practical roadmap for operators looking to rethink their hiring strategy and build teams that actually stay. If you’re tired of the revolving door and ready to invest in smarter, more sustainable staffing, this episode shows what’s possible when purpose and profit work hand in hand.