DRINK CULTURE
MELLOW MUSHROOM USING SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEO TO RECRUIT HIRES
Ongoing hiring challenges , especially in the restaurant industry , have led companies to seek new ways to reach and attract potential hires . Atlanta-based pizza chain Mellow Mushroom has teamed up with social media expert Drew Talbert and in late June launched a new campaign to fill several key operations positions around the country .
Talbert created a video that takes a fun look at a Mellow Mushroom manager who ’ s being promoted , focusing on how the brand will be replacing him with a current employee rather than going outside the company . The chain will use the video to find talented candidates for its “ operations coach ” positions , a role that focuses on building operational excellence among its 170 restaurants .
“ We ’ ve learned the best talent for the operations coach positions comes from our existing family of franchise and company locations ,” said Mike Foster , chief operating officer for Mellow Mushroom . “ By recruiting from within , we expect to attract candidates who already know and love our Mellow culture and want to advance their careers in the industry .”
Mellow Mushroom predicts that hiring from within for the operations coaches will result in a stronger resource for its franchisees . Attracting team members who already know the brand ’ s operations will speed the hiring process and reduce onboarding and training time , as well as decrease the overall cost to find candidates .
Drew Talbert , who has nearly 2 million followers on TikTok , almost 400,000 on YouTube , and more than 300,000 followers on Instagram , created a full cast of Mellow characters for social media , playing all the roles himself . Mellow Mushroom will launch a second phase of the recruiting campaign later this summer that will focus on attracting new hourly employees to its restaurants .
The Library of Distilled Spirits Opens Doors in OK
A former bank vault built in 1931 at the First National Center in Oklahoma City has been transformed into The Library of Distilled Spirits . The venue pays homage to the iconic culture of craft cocktails with a selection of more than 200 classics , over 1,500 expressions of distilled spirits , and an archive of rare and fine spirits .
Opened in June and helmed by hospitality management and development company Apicii and corporate beverage director Kyle Tran , the Library highlights the rich history of liquor , from fermentation through distillation , aging and blending . Patrons enter the basement level , where they are greeted by the iconic steel bank vault door lit up in neon colors to draw them into The Vault .
Colorful art deco tiles line the ceiling , while original safety deposit boxes adorn the walls displaying the collection of distilled spirits . A handful of these spirits are available for guests to purchase and store their chosen bottle , replete with a custom-made plaque with their name .
In addition to encyclopedia of spirits , the Library offers an underground cocktail experience with a 10-seat bar manned by expert barkeepers with vast knowledge of rare spirits and classic cocktails . Patrons can select their spirit of choice – either neat on crystal clear artisanal ice with a side of distilled water , or in a classic cocktail expression .
The menu features a selection of house-made tinctures , bitters , infusions , vermouth and cordials , as well as fresh juices and syrups . Cocktail highlights include the French Martini , Boulevardier and Vieux Carre , while a Mexican cantina-style food menu provides light bites such as a Crab Tostada and a Raja Poblano Quesadilla with sweet corn and salsa verde .
6 • BevX Issue 2022 www . cheersonline . com