T.J. Schier started his career in high school with a pizza chain, working there through college and then staying with the company while advancing to vice president of field operations. He went out on his own after 18 years to work as a consultant, advising restaurant operators how best to train and motivate employees.The consulting road has led him right back into a restaurant company.Schier and partners Todd Horschner and Mark Flores became franchisees last year of Which Wich, a Dallas-based chain of 50 sandwich restaurants founded by restaurateur Jeff Sinelli. All but one of the units is franchised. Schier and his partners bought the rights to open 10 stores in Dallas and Houston.They’ve opened two so far and have plans for six more this year. Because of Schier’s training experience, he was asked to help train new Which Wich franchisees and then to join the franchisor in January as director of operations.
Why did you want to get back into the restaurant business?
I wasn’t looking for it. It found me. A group of us were looking at investing in a franchise. We fell in love with this brand and with what we could bring to it. Jeff’s concept is just so creative.
What are you bringing?
Basically what we’re doing now is putting together all the things to grow the brand and help franchisees make more money—a lot of people-related things such as employee tests, guest surveys, online ordering, iPod- and e-learning for training. The [company has] been so small; they’ve not had access to that. I think it was cheaper to hire me than pay me on a consulting basis.
As an operator, what’s it like to finally put into practice all the things you’ve been telling others they need to do?
Employee incentives, guest surveys, pre-applicant screening—everything I’ve preached for the past seven years I’m putting in my stores to see if it works, and we’re bringing it to the franchisees. So far, in our two stores, we’re tracking only 30 percent hourly turnover.
Editor's Note: Schier will taking part in the "The Human Condition – What’s Up With HR Tech?" panel at FS/TEC 2008, which is being held April 16-19 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.