{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Restaurant Ready","title":"Krista Cole on Designing Restaurants That Care for People","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/cbbc1a6e\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2189,"description":"Krista Cole is the sole owner of Sur Lie in Portland, Maine, which she built from the ground up in 2014, and Gather in Yarmouth, which she acquired in 2022. A two-time James Beard Award semifinalist, Cole brings a perspective on restaurant ownership shaped by her background in healthcare, where systems, empathy, and accountability are non-negotiable.\nIn this episode, she shares how nursing informs her leadership style, why sustainable culture requires intentional workflows, and how equity, transparency, and community engagement show up in daily restaurant operations.\nTakeaways\nHire for attitude and values, then teach the skills\nStrong systems protect people from burnout\nWork life balance requires structure\nLeadership means meeting people where they are\nConsistency matters more than sweeping change\nCulture improves when owners stay close to the work\nTransparency builds trust during difficult decisions\nGrowth should create opportunity for the team, not just the owner\nCommunity context must shape how each restaurant operates\nSustainability includes financial, emotional, and human health\nEquity starts with listening and shared decision making\nChange works best when applied steadily over time\nRestaurants thrive when people feel seen and supported\nEveryone brings something valuable to the table\nWant to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest?\n\nMAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To get early access to the MAJC community, sign up at www.MAJC.ai.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/Dhrc2-BtbVWY9hR76R03_ze5F4n3JUuHdMvkU9WHbcc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS81NTBm/ODg4N2FjYmJmZTk5/ZmY5ZGM5OTc5Y2I4/OTgxYy5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}