Most people think restaurant work is a stepping stone—something you do before your “real” career starts. But what if it’s actually one of the best launchpads for leadership out there?

In this episode, I talk with Anthony Antone, President & CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association, about the restaurant industry’s massive impact on careers, culture, and the economy—and why it’s time we started treating hospitality like the powerhouse it really is.

Anthony grew up in a Greek restaurant family, fell into politics, and ended up leading one of the most respected hospitality associations in the country. We talk about what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and how restaurants are navigating staffing shortages, rising costs, and the future of tech and AI.

We break down:

🔹 Why restaurant careers still matter—and why they’re misunderstood

🔹 The hidden stress of understaffed teams (and how it hurts business)

🔹 What leaders can do when people just stop showing up

🔹 The cultural shift in how we lead frontline teams

🔹 How AI and automation can enhance hospitality (not replace it)

🔹 What operators can do today to prep for tomorrow’s recession

From pineapple-on-pizza debates to how McDonald’s shaped my leadership style (yes, I still have my name tag), this episode dives deep into what makes hospitality special—and how we can build a future where restaurant work gets the respect it deserves.

🛠️ If you’ve ever worked a shift, led a team, or eaten out (so, everyone), this one’s for you.

🎙️ Brought to you by

TANDA – Empowering frontline teams through better scheduling, onboarding, and performance tools.

www.tanda.io

🔗 Where to find Anthony

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyanton/

Washington Hospitality Association: https://wahospitality.org/

🔗 Where to find JesseLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessechor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessechor/

X: https://x.com/jessechor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesse.chor

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jessechor

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jessechor

🎉 Shoutout of the Week

Shoutout to the 12th Man of the Seattle Seahawks—the loudest, proudest fan base in football and a cornerstone of Pacific Northwest culture. I wore my #12 jersey for this episode, and let’s be honest… you can’t talk Seattle without shouting out the Hawks. That energy? It’s real. Go Hawks! 💙💚

#HospitalityLeadership #RestaurantOwners #FrontlineCulture #TeamRetention #AIinHospitality #AmericanDream #WorkforceStrategy #Tanda #UnlockedPotentialPodcast #WAHospitality #RestaurantLife