Commentary
Moe's franchisee: 'Don't take no for an answer'
Jennifer Wade has been a Moe's Southwest Grill franchisee since 2002. The single mom now owns three locations and is the only female franchisee on the Moe's Franchise Advisory Council, in which she serves as president.
March 22, 2017 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
Editor's note: In honor of International Women's Day (March 8) and Women's History Month, FastCasual interviewed several female leaders in the restaurant industry to learn about their success and how they feel about leading in a male-dominated industry. To read the entire series, click here.
Jennifer Wade has been a Moe's Southwest Grill franchisee since 2002, and the single mom now owns three locations and is the only female franchisee on the Moe's Franchise Advisory Council, in which she serves as president.
"Do what you love. If you love the restaurant business, be in it. I also advise my employees to focus on two qualities — being a great listener and having a voice. Your voice, ideas and leadership are needed. Additionally, find a mentor — male or female — it doesn't matter."
Got her start in the biz
Wade started as a hostess at age 17 to pay for school but needed more money.
"I asked if I could be a shift manager. My boss at the time said no — they had never had a female manager — and when I asked why he said that women don't work in the kitchen as the work was too hard. I remember having to beg him, saying I needed the money and promised I would work my butt off. And that is exactly what I did. I became their first female manager, then the first female GM, the first female director of operations, and so on. Finally, in 2002, I became a minority owner. In 2003, we became Moe's franchisees, and in 2008 I bought him out."
On why women make great leaders
"I think women should take on more leadership roles in every industry, especially if they have a road map to owning their own business one day. I think women bring both (a) similar and different skills set than men. Half of the consumers in restaurants are women and a female leader knows the unique ways to deliver what those customers want in service."
Advice to women looking to lead
"Education is so important and a mentor can continue to educate and guide you. In my 20-year career, I have had three mentors, two of which I still talk to today. Trust your gut! It took me a while to trust mine and looking back it was always right on.
"When making a decision think of it like this: The only bad decision is the one you don't make. Don't be paralyzed by the big decisions. I choose to think of every scenario, including the worst case and — if I can live with it, work within it, and grow with it — it's the right the decision."
About Cherryh Cansler
