Why Restaurant Turnover Isn’t the Real Problem: Retention as a Strategy from Retensa CEO Chason Hecht

In this insightful episode of Tipped Off, host Kirk Grogan sits down with Chason Hecht, Founder and CEO of Retensa, to tackle one of the restaurant industry’s most persistent challenges: staffing and retention. Drawing on data from organizations across 59 countries, Chason challenges the idea of a labor shortage, instead reframing turnover as a symptom of deeper issues like trust, morale, scheduling instability, and manager communication. He also highlights the importance of understanding “microcultures” within each location, where employee experiences and reasons for leaving can vary dramatically.

From breaking down the true cost of turnover (both direct and hidden) to sharing practical ways operators can start gathering real employee insights, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to improve retention and build stronger teams.

If you’re in hospitality or workforce management, this conversation will reshape how you think about turnover and what to do about it.

👉 Learn more about Retensa https://retensa.com/