Amex wants to help the restaurant industry fix one of its biggest problems—and it isn’t food costs

Being a great chef doesn’t automatically make someone a great manager. That’s one reason American Express and Resy are launching a new national leadership academy designed to help restaurant owners and managers build stronger teams, improve profitability, and navigate an increasingly complicated industry. Announced Monday, the new Restaurant Academy is being created in partnership with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and will bring together 30 restaurant leaders from across the country for a four-month leadership development program beginning this fall. The launch comes at a time when restaurant operators face pressure from nearly every direction. Food costs remain elevated, labor remains difficult to find in many markets, and consumers are becoming more selective about where they spend their dining dollars. For many independent restaurants, success depends as much on managing people and finances as it does on serving great food. [Photo: American Express, Resy] Follow the leader While culinary schools teach aspiring chefs how to cook, there are far fewer opportunities for restaurant owners and managers to learn the business skills needed to run a successful operation. Amex’s Restaurant Academy aims to fill that gap. The program will focus on some of the challenges restaurant operators deal with every day, including hiring and retaining employees, improving the guest experience, and strengthening financial performance. Participants will receive training on everything from onboarding and employee development to cash flow management, labor costs, vendor relationships, and profit-and-loss statements. Future-focused topics such as artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in restaurant operations will also be part of the curriculum. “The Restaurant Academy extends American Express’ long-standing investment in developing leaders—building on the impact of our Leadership Academy and bringing that model to one of the m