Eurest Expands Award-Winning Talent Development Platform with New Leadership Series
New program builds on nationally recognized talent development strategy to strengthen hospitality leadership, advance careers and support client success
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — [October 6, 2026] — In an industry where great hospitality depends on great people, Eurest is expanding its investment in its talent with the launch of the Eurest Leadership Series, a new signature development program designed to enhance leadership capabilities within its foodservice and hospitality teams, accelerate career growth at every level and reinforce hospitality as a key business differentiator.
The Leadership Series joins Eurest’s award-winning Elevate People talent-development platform, extending the company’s commitment to empowering the next generation of hospitality leaders. In 2026, the leading national foodservice and hospitality provider was named a recipient of Training magazine’s Training MVP Award and ranked in the Association for Talent Development’s 2026 BEST Awards.
By strengthening leadership capabilities across its operations, Eurest aims to create more consistent hospitality experiences for clients and guests while building clear pathways for career growth.
At a time when organizations across hospitality and foodservice continue to compete for talent, Eurest believes that creating significant development opportunities for hospitality professionals is essential to attracting, retaining and advancing the industry’s best people.
“Hospitality is a people business, and we know that the way we develop our people impacts the experience we deliver for our clients and guests,” said Tony McDonald, CEO. “The Eurest Leadership Series developed by our Elev8 Hospitality team will help our managers gain greater confidence and further develop skills that will make them stronger business owners and memorable hospitality providers. We are proud of the recognition our talent-development work has received, but our real measure of success is seeing more people ready and able to grow in how they lead and in who they become as hospitality professionals.”
The first track of the Eurest Leadership Series, Hospitality Leadership, is a six-part online learning experience that all salaried Eurest managers will be offered. The track combines practical instruction, operator testimonials, demonstrations, self-paced reflection and assessments to create a concise, yet comprehensive learning experience. Participants will earn a certificate upon completion, with progress tracked through the company’s employee engagement and digital training platform, Nudge+.
“This training is a great reminder of how creating an environment of positivity has a ripple effect across our teams. How we show up as leaders every day sets the tone,” said Ajaye Hopper, assistant general manager at Eurest.
The series was designed by Eurest leaders for Eurest team members, with a focus on the skills managers use every day: building trust, creating unified and skilled teams, making sound decisions, elevating guest experiences and leading through change.
“Leadership development has to meet people where they work,” said Senior Vice President of Guest Experience Mike Fiato “Our teams are serving guests, partnering with clients, opening new operations and solving problems in real time. The Leadership Series showcases the opportunities our team members have to make every moment memorable and deliver hospitality consistently.”
The Leadership Series extends a broader development ecosystem that includes structured onboarding, Eurest University, the Global University for Lifelong Learning, mentorship, Centers for Excellence and digital learning. Together, these programs give team members multiple ways to pursue individual-based advancement and prepare for their next opportunity.
Recent results from Eurest’s talent-development strategy include:
- 350 managers trained through Eurest University, an introductory training course that helps managers understand the support available for their success
- 580 graduates of Eurest’s frontline development program, Global University of Lifelong Learning (GULL), over the nationwide program’s history since 2021
- More than 82% of GULL graduates have continued to grow their careers with Eurest
“The future of hospitality belongs to organizations that invest in people,” said Fiato. “When team members can see a path forward, they stay longer, develop faster and create stronger experiences for clients and guests. That’s why leadership development remains one of the most important investments we make.”