During an educational session at the National Restaurant Show, SoNapa Grille Principal Adam Barringer cited several low-cost ways to showcase a restaurant’s culture, or what SoNapa has found to be a key to drawing and keeping employees. A technique that works well for the three-unit chain is providing photos on social media of employees relishing the experience of working there. “Most restaurants only show pictures of their food,” he said.

In addition, SoNapa enriches the culture by amping up its welcome of new hires. Each recruit is presented with a “welcome kit” that includes their uniform and other goodies, Barringer explained.