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ShoreBreak Pizza & Tap House and Hot Tuna, which ranked No. 4 of midsized companies for Top Workplaces 2026, also earned special recognition for clued-in management. Partner and CEO Brett Kassir shared insight into how the restaurant group’s management keeps its finger on the pulse of its organization
Q: How do you infuse the organization’s mission into your workplace’s employee experience?
A: At Hot Tuna and ShoreBreak Pizza & TapHouse, our mission is to be a neighborhood gathering place that brings families together, gives back to our local community and schools, and serves exceptional food made with fresh, locally
We believe our team members want to work in an environment they are proud to be part of. We want them to feel comfortable bringing their friends, family and loved ones into our restaurants and saying, “This is where I work.” That only happens when people are treated with respect, fairness, and honesty
Our management philosophy is simple: Be transparent, fair, firm and consistent. We believe that when employees feel valued and respected, they take greater pride in their work, provide better service to our guests, and become long-term members of our team
Q: What have been the most effective or most unique team-building activities?
A: Communication is the foundation of our culture
We hold weekly all-employee meetings, and every team member is required to attend at least one meeting each month. In addition, we conduct daily pre-shift “lineups” before every dinner service. These meetings allow us to discuss what went well, what we can improve and what challenges we need to address
We encourage every team member — from our newest hire to our most experienced manager — to share ideas on operations, menu development, marketing initiatives and facility improvements. Some of our best ideas have come directly from the people working on the front lines every day
One of our most unique employee initiatives is our commitment to our team’s overall well-being. Beginning on their first day of employment, every team member receives a complimentary membership to a local fitness center. We also provide daily employee meals, offer eligible employees the opportunity to enroll in our health insurance program and 401(k) plan, and provide free management training seminars for employees interested in developing their leadership skills. We also offer free financial wellness seminars that cover topics such as budgeting, investing, the advantages of Roth IRAs, and long-term financial planning.
When appropriate, we also work one-on-one with employees who are struggling with high-interest debt to help them develop a realistic budget and a plan to improve their financial situation
Financial stress often carries over into the workplace. By investing in our employees’ physical health, financial well-being and professional growth, we reduce stress, improve morale and demonstrate that we genuinely care about their success both inside and outside of work. We believe it’s simply the right thing to do
Q: What team-building tips would you share with other workplaces?
A: Listen to your employees and create opportunities for them to be heard. The people doing the work every day often have the best ideas for improving your business
Be transparent, communicate consistently and invest in your team’s personal growth — not just their job skills. When employees know they are respected, valued and supported professionally and personally, they become more engaged, more loyal and more committed to delivering an exceptional experience for your customers
Finally, remember that your employees are your greatest asset. When you genuinely invest in their success, they will invest in yours
