Industry veteran Karen Reiner has been with Shamrock Company for just over two years at our Beaver Dam, WI Taco Bell. Despite having previously owned her own diner and boasting more than 35 years of experience, when Karen’s restaurant closed, she says it was difficult finding another job in the field.
“I didn’t want to be the boss,” Karen says about choosing to join Shamrock Taco Bell as a crew member.
But when key members of the team departed, Karen seized the opportunity before her: She asked to lead her Taco Bell. Today, she serves as Beaver Dam’s General Manager (GM).
“Now we’re a year and a half – almost two years down the road – and we’re just kicking butt,” she shares proudly.
“I’m really enjoying the time that I have right now at Beaver Dam.” – Karen Reiner, Taco Bell GM
According to Karen, things started to turn around for the better for Beaver Dam when Area Director TJ Gorski joined Shamrock.
“TJ, as a leader, has really brought us together,” she says. “It’s the first time that I have been a GM for a company and felt like I was on a team – a team of people trying to help me better myself.” And vice versa!
One aspect that’s working is the team at Beaver Dam is doing a lot of problem solving as a group.
Braving the Future at Beaver Dam
The Beaver Dam Taco Bell is one of three Shamrock locations piloting voice AI in the drive-thru. Karen’s next goal for her restaurant is to turn it into a training location.
And anything seems possible when you have leadership support.
“[TJ] believes in the same things I do in really teaching people,” Karen explains. “We can teach anybody to be successful and have a career.”
In addition to TJ, Karen also shares how much she admires Shamrock President and CEO Dan McGue.
“Dan is an owner like I’ve [never] met before,” she says. “His values align with things that I look at even in my own restaurant, just really making it better for people.”
For her part, Karen says she strives every day to build a workplace that isn’t “dreary and dreadful.”
She appreciates Shamrock’s culture of recognition, highlighting our annual company rally and recent picnics. “It is nice to be acknowledged for some of the things that I do in my store.”
Karen, thank you for taking the reins and showing us what’s possible at your restaurant. We’re looking forward to seeing more progress and people development!