Creating a Celebrated Culture

Call her a people person, if you will, but Christie Schatz’s desire to connect with others runs far deeper. So much so that she’s made it her career’s work: as Chief Talent Officer at Sonny’s BBQ, Schatz is ever-passionate about coaching and developing talent and, most importantly, creating a positive career experience for the barbecue brand’s thousands of employees. “I’ve loved every minute of it,” Schatz says with a smile one recent afternoon. “If I can make an impact in someone’s life, that’s so important. I take pride in trying to find incredible talent and providing growth opportunities.”

Schatz’s passion for her job goes a long way in explaining why Sonny’s BBQ has become well-known for its celebrated workplace culture — one based on kindness and respect as well as the desire to better the lives of its team members. 

“Employee handbooks can only take you so far as a company,” Schatz offers. “We learned a long time ago we need to dive deeper…