A View From The Top

5 ways to treat employees like family

Temoc Morfin, founder and CEO of Cilantro Taco Grill, said when employees feel valued, the entire business and its customers benefit.

Photo: Temoc Morfin, founder and CEO of Cilantro Taco Grill

April 16, 2024

Your employees are the foundation of the organization. They are not just individuals who perform tasks but are the driving force behind innovation, productivity and success. To foster a positive work environment, further passion for the brand, and increase employee retention, it's important that employees feel valued, supported and respected by their employers.
Treating employees like family has an array of benefits for businesses including improved teamwork and collaboration, increased morale and a sense of loyalty that goes beyond a typical employer-employee relationship, which all contribute to employees staying for years. When employees feel valued, the entire business and its customers benefit.

Here are five tips that we live by at Cilantro Taco Grill to ensure employees are treated like family and ensure they feel a sense of belonging and appreciation:

1. Connecting to staff
It doesn't matter what your position is in the company, or how senior you are, you should know your employees. Taking time to speak and get to know each person working for the company goes a long way in connecting the whole team together. For larger brands, this can look like regularly visiting locations, conducting surveys, and generous merit programs that reward loyalty.

2. Getting behind the counter
It is important to learn and know all of the elements of your business, especially in our industry. Not only does this connect you with your customers, but it also assures employees that you are all in this together. For example, there were times throughout COVID where I, and other members of the corporate team worked alongside our employees, and we saw many positive relationships come out of this experience.

3. Promotional tracks
Just like anyone else, you consider family, you want to see the ones you love succeed. It's important to have tracks and programs within your company that will help employees of all levels be promoted. Cilantro Taco Grill joined NRA's RHLC program, which provides certifications to line cooks, kitchen managers and restaurant managers. Our employees can take these certifications with them throughout their careers.

4. Steps to ownership
In late 2023, I decided to partner with FranSmart and turn Cilantro Taco Grill into a franchise. One of the reasons I did this is to allow employees to have the same success as my family; to build generational wealth through hard work like we have. I wanted employees to grow alongside the brand and even have the opportunity to become owners if that's the path they wanted to take.

5. Open communication
Prioritizing open communication channels is of the utmost importance. Employees should feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns and feedback without fear of consequences. Actively listening to their input and implementing changes based on this shows that their voices are heard and appreciated.

All in all, treating employees like family is more than a mantra. It's a strategic approach that we've seen positively affect our business. Investing in the well-being and growth of your employees is an investment in the long-term success of your business. It's our responsibility, as leaders to cultivate, a culture where everyone feels empowered to thrive. When employees are truly treated like family, the whole business benefits from a more cohesive, motivated and high-performing team.

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