Hengam Stanfield

You have the grit and spirit of an independent operator, but you’ve got big ambitions, too. One or several stores isn’t enough for you. You want to build an empire in your market(s). How do you do it? In this powerhouse session, you’ll discover how to standardize and streamline operations for consistency without becoming generic, institute strict quality controls, develop a clear brand identity, choose your locations strategically, and adopt chain-level purchasing and vendor relationships to secure better pricing.

It’s time to rethink our approach to on-boarding and retaining new employees, especially GenZers. Our panel of experts will explain how they identify high performers, train, motivate and mentor them, and help them grow as restaurant professionals rather than disinterested part-timers with one eye on the clock.

At Mattenga’s Pizzeria, owners Hengam and Matt Stanfield have a system for everything. The fast-growing, family-owned pizza company, with nine locations in San Antonio, is essentially one big system of systems—marketing, management, employee training and scheduling, inventory, sales projections—and each system feeds into another system. And yet the Stanfields bring a sense of joy to everything they do, fostering a warm, welcoming atmosphere for guests while keeping team members on their toes and fully engaged with ongoing challenges that enhance their skills. From checklists and time trials to the “10-20-30 rule,” the Stanfields will help you build an operation that runs smoothly and efficiently while creating a fun, memorable, second-to-none experience for your customers.