Industry research revealed that learning and development are operators’ top priority for driving success and reducing costs in other parts of the business. As a result, restaurant brands are turning to Crunchtime Learning & Development to streamline operations, improve training, and empower their teams.
At Ops Summit 2024, three standout restaurant brands, Cousins Subs, Cotton Patch Cafe, and Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q, shared how they're strategically leveraging Crunchtime Learning & Development. From QR codes on kitchen equipment to interactive dashboards and real-time updates on recipes, here's how they’re doing it.
Cousins Subs: Building a Culture of Learning and Safety
John Krahn, Senior Manager of Training at Cousins Subs, shared how their team transformed training and communication across their 95 locations with Crunchtime.
Weekly Knowledge Nuggets & “Training Tuesdays”
Cousins uses Crunchtime to deliver weekly training content covering products, safety, HR updates, and limited-time offers (LTOs). These quick “Knowledge Nuggets” not only provide just-in-time learning but also link directly to more in-depth resources, keeping everything centralized.
The Results Speak for Themselves:
After implementing more accessible resources on safety procedures:
Recipe & LTO Access That Makes Sense
Rather than requiring employees to rewatch entire training courses to review a single recipe, Cousins created specific “Subs & Sides” and “LTO” resource sections. This gives team members direct access to step-by-step videos and documents, especially for unique or seasonal items like cheesesteaks.
QR Codes = Faster Equipment Troubleshooting
With QR codes placed directly on equipment or posted in-store, managers now scan to instantly access maintenance videos and SOPs. The result? Fewer support calls and faster fixes. As one director put it: “The number of phone calls I get about gas and pilot lights has been cut in half.”
Cotton Patch Cafe: Going Paperless and Powering Consistency
Jill Newsome, Learning & Development Specialist at Cotton Patch Cafe, outlined how their 48-location chain is using Crunchtime to combat paper clutter, unify communication, and boost training engagement.
One Central Source of Truth
With everything from recipes and build charts to HR documents and videos stored in one digital hub, Crunchtime has become a go-to destination for managers. And since it opens directly to a personalized dashboard, managers are now logging in more frequently to check their progress and training stats.
Smart Organization by Category
Resources are grouped by:
This thoughtful filtering keeps things clean and focused. Jill shared that even small features like search tags and access roles help limit information overload while ensuring staff can find exactly what they need.
Easy Updates with Built-in Tracking
Adding or updating a resource in Crunchtime is simple, but strategic. By attaching upload dates, tags, and usage notes, Cotton Patch ensures:
Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q: Resources at the Heart of Operational Success
For Shannon Ciccotelli, Director of Learning and Development at Jim ‘N Nick’s, resources aren’t just files; they’re the heart of the entire learning and development strategy. With 50 locations and a blend of full- and quick-service models, consistency is critical.
Why Resources Matter
By centralizing SOPs, training videos, and operational guides, Crunchtime supports:
“We want managers focused on the guest experience, not wasting time hunting for information,” Shannon said.
Cognitive Load & UX Matter
Jim ‘N Nick’s team also looked at cognitive science when designing their learning and development strategy:
Tailored Access and Smart Filters
Using role-specific permissions, the team makes sure:
Technology in Action: QR Codes, Ratings, and Hashtags
Gamifying Resource Engagement
Jim ‘N Nick’s has rolled out “BBQ U Professors” and is exploring scavenger hunts and challenges to encourage team members to explore and use the platform. Trending hashtags, resource feedback, and usage data all feed back into their learning and development strategy to ensure it's evolving.
Key Takeaways
From baking workshops and recipe updates to safety protocols and SOPs, these three brands are showing that Crunchtime Learning & Development is more than a content library; it’s a powerful tool for operations, training, and culture-building.
Here’s what all three have in common:
Ready to take your training and operations to the next level? Contact us to learn how Crunchtime can empower your team.
