To find qualified managers, some reach out to “friends and family” – looking within their ranks, rewarding employees for referrals, and asking colleagues:

PROMOTING FROM WITHIN. Historically, 80%+ of Cameron Mitchell’s managers come from within the company. “Qualified associates – employees who have been with us for six months and are proficient in their current position – can join our Future Leaders program,” says vp of HR, Chuck Davis. “The program is informal; they are given training materials to work on with their managers; those who show initiative and complete the program successfully go on to become managers.” Myriad Restaurant Group also recruits from within for its in-house management training program which covers both front and back of the house. “We want people in our manager positions who are familiar with our culture,” explains Marty Shapiro, partner. “The program gives us a chance to gauge leadership skills, evaluate work ethics, and see how trainees interact with staff and customers in an interim role before becoming managers.” At Fatz Cafe, 25% of management positions – kitchen and service managers/assistants, and operating partners (the equivalent of a gm) – are filled from within. Steve Corson, HR vp, notes that operating partners are required to make a cash investment and sign a five-year agreement. “We believe it’s important that they have a sense of ownership and treat the business like it’s their own,” he says.

“I talk to colleagues when I am looking for a manager – while they’re obviously protective of their own employees, good friends are willing to help each other.” – Dan Sachs, partner, Bin 36, Chicago, IL

REWARDING REFERRALS. Fatz Cafe, Carino’s, and O’Charley’s each pay a $1,000 bonus to employees who refer manager candidates who stay for a designated period of time (at least 90 days). Rodney Morris, svp HR, Carino’s, says payroll stuffers twice a year remind the company’s 5,000 employees and generate 30-50 leads, typically yielding three to five hires. O’Charley’s program is linked to the company’s Intranet, which Armando Lopez, director of field HR, says allows employees to submit referrals 24/7. “Last year we had a contest offering a $5,000 cash bonus or trip for employees who successfully referred more than one manager in a six month period.” (One employee received the cash bonus.)

NETWORKING. Dan Sachs, partner, Bin 36, Chicago, IL, talks to colleagues, both far and near. “I call friends in New York when I’m looking for a manager. The cost of flying someone in for the day is nothing compared to hiring a local person who doesn’t pan out.”