Andy Swingley's Page

Andy Swingley: 2zihf713w2ahn; Share

About Me

: Male, Age 45
Lewis Center, OH
United States; Member # 2,862; 45 Referrals; Joined Feb. 21, 2008; Seen Mar 17

Awards

335,157 Points

Contributions

Discussions (68)
Photos (233)
Videos (11)

Andy Swingley's Connections

View All

Andy Swingley's Groups

The Multi-Unit Leader (74 members)
The Perfect Beer (56 members)

Multi Unit Managers (46 members)
Local Store Marketing (199 members)

Trainers (161 members)
CHART Training (192 members)

Leadership (260 members)
Restaurant Marketing (462 members)

Talent Revolution Inc (206 members)
Thomas & King (74 members)

See More Groups

Andy Swingley's discussions

If you were going to give one piece of advice to a person just entering the workforce what would it be?

Added a post Aug. 24, 2009

Business Lessons Learned from Sprint

Added a post Jan. 8, 2009

Read More Discussions

Latest Activity

Andy Swingley added the blog post 'Lifecycle of a New Manager' Mar 16

Andy Swingley commented on the blog post Lifecycle of a New Manager Mar 16

Andy Swingley commented on the blog post Management Skills : The Shocking Truth about Delegation Mar 16

Andy Swingley commented on the blog post Undercover Bull*&%^ Mar 14

Andy Swingley commented on the blog post The Checklist Mar 12

Andy Swingley commented on the blog post The Checklist Mar 3

Andy Swingley commented on the blog post Undercover Bull*&%^ Mar 2

Andy Swingley added the blog post 'Undercover Bull*&%^' Mar 2

Profile

Title: Regional Manager

Company: Thomas & King

Website: http://andyswingley.blogspot.com/

Email: aswingley@insight.rr.com

Restaurant Segment: Casual Dining

I work at the corporate level and my functional area is: Operations

In which categories do you purchase, or specify the purchase of products for your organization?: Chemicals, Dry Goods, Equipment, Fresh Foods, Frozen Foods, Liquor / Wine / Beer, Paper Goods, Systems (technology), Services

Interests: Career Advancement, Consulting, Learning, Making Friends, Networking

Other Interests: Visit talent revolution

Personal Quote: It's the people, stupid.....

Biography: Andy Swingley has 12 years of experience in multi-unit leadership and 25 years experience in the food service industry. Currently the Regional Manager of 30 restaurants at Thomas & King, DBA Applebee's Andy leads teams in producing over 80 million in annual sales. Prior to Applebees, Andy spent ten years with the famous upscale restaurant and nightclub group Bobby McGees working from hourly Food Server to General Manager. Andy is well known for his leadership and team building development, sales building, and intense focus on the profitability of operations.

Specialties:
Future operational planning, leadership development, large group teaching, new restaurant openings, hiring, training, business plan development, operations process management, dynamic public speaking skills, proven time management skills and forward thinking

Years in the Industry: 25

Andy Swingley's Photos

View More Photos

Andy Swingley's Videos

Cooking with Liquid Nitrogen Added by Andy Swingley
50 kids get a Wii Added by Andy Swingley
Dumb blonde Added by Andy Swingley

Watch More Videos

Andy Swingley's Blog

Lifecycle of a New Manager

By Andy Swingley on Mar 15, 2010 at 8:03pm | 5 Comments (Add) | 71 Views

I have seen two approaches to placing a new manager into a restaurant. The first angle is train them fast, throw them in the deep end of the pool and they either drown or they tread water long enough to find the edge of the pool and get out safely, learning never to ... more

**Undercover Bull*&%^**

By Andy Swingley on Mar 1, 2010 at 7:25pm | 6 Comments (Add) | 139 Views

I am so disenchanted!!! Now I have worked for many CEOs….actually only two…one pretty crazy the other one not. So I have been watching the new TV show “Undercover Boss” and after four weeks of one hour segments on the CEOs of Waste Management, Hooters, 7-Eleven, and ... more

The Checklist

By Andy Swingley on Feb 15, 2010 at 7:12pm | 7 Comments (Add) | 51 Views

Now before you make fun of me and call me names like “Anal Retentive”, “Dork”, or “Old School”, let me tell you, I very rarely forget anything and some would call me the nicest asshole they know. Why, because, my strength lies in two things, I think? They are my comm... more

"I" before "You"

By Andy Swingley on Feb 1, 2010 at 3:54pm | 1 Comment (Add) | 32 Views

Most of us own, operate, or assist other businesses in being successful and evaluation of the effectiveness of the business is the culminating point to our individual success. When evaluating my own operating situations some of the things I hear from my team are: “I... more

Please Keep Me!

By Andy Swingley on Jan 18, 2010 at 7:54pm | 16 Comments (Add) | 90 Views

As the new year rolls by, already mid January, we all reflect on what we can do better whether it be personal, professional, diet, more family time, etc., it is always a time for me to reflect on how do I keep more people in the boat rowing together with me. I want t... more

The Leadership Mindset!

By Andy Swingley on Oct 7, 2009 at 6:43pm | 3 Comments (Add) | 51 Views

Traditional leadership in business is founded on hierarchy. Boss Employee Objective The Boss tells you how to do it and when it has to be done The Boss holds the key to the knowledge to accomplish the objective and they can chose to share that or not…… Your compensa... more

Which came first?

By Andy Swingley on Sep 9, 2009 at 5:20pm | 9 Comments (Add) | 71 Views

How or Why? I don’t know about you but in my day-to-day dealings in business, restaurant, and with people I feel like I can quickly deduce the problem anyone is experiencing and my thinking automatically turns to the solution. I mean I have been in the bus... more

It doesn’t have to be work!

By Andy Swingley on Aug 26, 2009 at 7:17pm | 5 Comments (Add) | 47 Views

We all have to have a career…how we define our career is what sets us apart and makes us either happy or, well, not so happy. A career is needed to provide an income A career is needed and frankly it is healthy, provides direction and organization A career is one of... more

Everything I learned about people, my dog taught me….

By Andy Swingley on Aug 12, 2009 at 10:51pm | 10 Comments (Add) | 66 Views

Before my restaurant career started my hobby was showing dogs in the obedience ring. It, I believe, is what gives me clarity in my views on people development and training. Here’s what I know. To teach a dog to sit here are the steps: 1. Get down on one knee, say ... more

Lather, Rinse, Repeat

By Andy Swingley on Jul 29, 2009 at 8:34pm | 5 Comments (Add) | 66 Views

As we all know communication is the cornerstone of all things…business, relationships, results, you name it and it comes down to communication. Maybe I am the only one in a long-term relationship that has heard, “Well you obviously just misunderstood what I said”, ri... more

Don't shoot me, General Patton!

By Andy Swingley on Jul 1, 2009 at 8:53pm | 5 Comments (Add) | 54 Views

I want to take this week to introduce all of you to an up and coming blogger I met on Talent Revolution by the name of Don Hart. He just "gets" leadership and training. His message below is indicative of one of the Leadership roadblocks I see often in the workplace. ... more

How did you get so Damn Smart?

By Andy Swingley on Jun 18, 2009 at 4:51am | 9 Comments (Add) | 64 Views

One of those leadership road hazards that most of us hit head-on at times is thinking that we have it all figured out and know all the answers. We spring to conclusions, discount ideas, and generally don’t listen either intentionally or not. Now, I don’t know about y... more

Values Based Leadership

By Andy Swingley on Jun 3, 2009 at 7:44pm | 10 Comments (Add) | 127 Views

I got the chance a couple of weeks ago to attend the CHART Regional meeting in Louisville, KY at the enormous and expansive Papa John’s Corporate Campus. What a great opportunity to network and I got to meet some “internet” faces. It is always so cool to come face to... more

Linear Thinker

By Andy Swingley on May 27, 2009 at 7:33pm | No Comments (Add) | 48 Views

Alright, so by natural path I am an: Operational Business Strategy Trainer In Neede OBSTINATE if you are looking for an acronym. If I had a nickel for every time someone said Andy, don’t be so damn obstinate this is a lot bigger issue than you think! Yeah, whatever….... more

Social Media or Social Maniac

By Andy Swingley on May 20, 2009 at 6:22pm | 10 Comments (Add) | 103 Views

If it’s not Facebook, LinkedIn, RSS feeds, MySpace, Google Reader, Twitter or some other all obsessive time consuming captive you are spending your time networking with, it’s just running a business, right…. Here are my top ten red flags you may be spending too much... more

Please Help!

By Andy Swingley on May 6, 2009 at 5:15pm | 5 Comments (Add) | 67 Views

Dear Mentor….. I know I am a good leader. I spend the largest percentage of my time developing the knowledge and strengths of my team. I help. I open myself up to learning and improving. My self-awareness feels stronger than ever. I engage my team at all levels, lis... more

Prejudice

By Andy Swingley on Apr 29, 2009 at 7:29pm | 23 Comments (Add) | 138 Views

Let’s face it we are surrounded by prejudice every day in our business and those around us. Sometimes it is bold, blatant, and in your face. Other times it is quiet, unaware, and unintentional. Social Media and the power of the internet such as this network bring us... more

Training 101

By Andy Swingley on Apr 22, 2009 at 5:10pm | 10 Comments (Add) | 79 Views

You've decided to improve operations in your restaurant by either training new behaviors or retraining old ones. Before you can begin to introduce or modify any behavior, however, you need to understand the perspective of the person you are training. What do they see... more

You know your significant other is a restaurant manager when.....

By Andy Swingley on Apr 15, 2009 at 8:42pm | 48 Comments (Add) | 570 Views

My wife Janie (frankly the smartest person I know) and I were debating the usual struggles of the restaurant significant other. Though the restaurant business has taken good care of us it has certainly presented itself with a few struggles along the way. It has also... more

R. O. C. D.

By Andy Swingley on Apr 8, 2009 at 8:22pm | 10 Comments (Add) | 134 Views

You are going to ask yourself quickly, what the hell does Andy mean by that catchy title and I want you to know it has become my personal model for doing business, well, frankly, doing anything! R estaurant O bsessive C ompulsive D isorder Yep, I got the disease an... more

Comment Wall (419 comments)

You need to be a member of FohBoh to add comments!

Join FohBoh

At 7:45pm on October 7th, 2009, ken anderson said…: When was the last time you or the upper crust of this website voluntered ???? Its a mystery since you don't even talk to or allow the general population of FOB to comunicate w/ the people who started this website!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At 10:45pm on September 11th, 2009, World Class Restaurant Service DVD said…: WOW! Andy, you've got a lot of points! Here's something you should tell all your friends about!

Watch a sample of the World Class Restaurant Service training film from World Class on Vimeo.
Award-Winning Training Film, World Class Restaurant Service Will Make You Money!

Whether you are a Restaurant Owner, a Restaurant Manager, or an aspiring Restaurant Waiter; invest in the techniques and knowledge that will make you money. With the World Class Restaurant Service training film, anyone can learn the principles for generating higher income and winning loyal customers, table by table, in the exciting world of customer service. Buy one DVD and train your entire staff!

Filmed against the breathtaking backdrop of Waikiki Beach, with it's world class beaches, resorts, and restaurants, this informative and entertaining DVD will capture your staff's attention as they learn about: Great Service, Serving a Quality Product, Showtime Attitude, Teamwork, Serving with Aloha, Product Knowledge, Greeting, Seating & Meeting the Guest, Winning Confidence, Increasing Sales, Anticipating Guest's Needs, Basic Service Standards, Wine Service, Lasting Impressions, and much more!

Visit us at: www.WorldClassProductionz.com

At 7:37pm on August 27th, 2009, Jagadish C said…: Andy-

Check us out at http://www.pow-now.com. This is the company I founded. We are working with fine dining, casual dining, and smaller chains to promote their deals and offers. We distribute the same through sms (text), email, Facebook, iPhone, Blackberry, print, widgets, and affiliates. Since you manage a chain, any ideas/suggestions from you most welcome.

Best,
Jagadish

Jagadish Channagiri
Founder
Pow!, Inc
http://www.pow-now.com

jagadish@pow-now.com
650-245-1884 (C)
408-743-4449 (O)

At 5:29am on August 19th, 2009, Ty Sullivan said…: I must say that the response to this piece has been tremendous. Funny how when we step back from the mechanics of what makes our industry tick and get to the (pardon the pun) "heart" of the matter, how we all remember why we are in this crazy business anyway.
Thanks for the great feedback my friend. It's a pleasure being in your company.
Ty

At 5:35pm on August 18th, 2009, Bill Baumgartner said…: Thank you again for your encouragement. I never thought I had a talent for writing until I began posting articles on Fohboh.

BTW
Your posts are great!

Thanks again,

Bill

At 9:47am on July 14th, 2009, Alyson Mar, RD said…: Hi Andy,

Thanks for the connection. I took a look at your blog, and there's some very motivational material on it. Look forward to reading more and talking to you on here!

Alyson

At 5:34am on June 23rd, 2009, Ty Sullivan said…: Hello fellow FohBohist! Just introducing myself and saying, add me on as a contact and feel free to take a look at the new column/blog they gave me! Looking forward to knowing you and staying up to date with all your postings.
Best,
Ty

At 8:49pm on June 14th, 2009, Rod Guinn said…: The honor is mine, Andy -- and also the embarrassment for taking so long. I thought I'd made the contact long ago.

At 6:22pm on May 28th, 2009, Jeff Tenut said…: Hi Andy, is was a pleasure meeting you in person!

Let me know if you plan on going to CHART in August!

At 5:52pm on May 6th, 2009, taniica jamison said…: Andy in the last week I will say I thoght I had reached my breaking point, I was almost ready to throw in the towel and quit, in the four years I have been with the company, I will say this is the first time I felt lost and alone until the day you stoped in and checked up on me. I will say I was happy to see that you took time out of your day to check on me and to make sure that I was ok, I can't tell you enough how much that ment to me. Thank you so much.