Smokey Mo's BBQ

Gini Quiroz

Gini Quiroz is a human resources leader in hospitality, focused on building people-first organizations that balance operational consistency with employee growth. She emphasizes culture-driven hiring, leadership development, and structured systems to create resilient teams that improve retention and deliver strong guest experiences.

In today’s hospitality landscape, staffing is no longer simply about filling roles. Staffing involves building resilient, people-first organizations that can consistently deliver on the guest experience. As the industry continues to evolve, so do the expectations of both employees and customers, and the leaders who will define the future of hospitality are those who understand that strong operations begin with strong teams.

At Smokey Mo’s BBQ, our approach to staffing is rooted in a clear philosophy: hire for culture, develop for growth, and lead with intention.

Redefining What Great Staffing Looks Like

Great staffing today goes beyond the candidate’s experience on paper, because it starts with identifying individuals who genuinely want to be part of your organization. These are people who align with your brand’s values, bring a positive attitude, and are excited to contribute to a team environment. Skills can be trained, but culture fit and effort are far more difficult to teach, which is why that’s the first thing we look for at Smokey Mo’s.

We prioritize hiring individuals who not only meet the needs of the business but also see a future with us. At the same time, we are intentional about building a strong internal bench by identifying high-potential team members early and creating clear pathways for advancement. Many of our leaders begin in hourly roles and grow into management, general manager, and district-level positions.

A proactive hiring strategy is also essential to starting your hiring strategy from a strong place. Even when locations are fully staffed, recruiting does not stop, so maintaining an evergreen hiring mindset ensures we are never in a reactive position. In hospitality, being understaffed directly impacts both operations and the guest experience. Having the right people in place at the right time is critical.

Creating Systems That Support People and Performance

At Smokey Mo’s, we define “guest promises,” which include friendliness, accuracy, and a welcoming environment—these keep us consistent and give our staff clear guiding points. These expectations guide how we recruit, train, and evaluate our teams.

We apply those same standards to the candidate experience. Just as guests expect fast, friendly, and accurate service, candidates deserve the same level of care. That means responding to applications quickly, scheduling interviews in a timely manner, showing up prepared and on time, and creating a welcoming, positive interaction from the first touchpoint. It also means ensuring candidates have a clear and accurate understanding of the role, compensation, and growth opportunities.

Behind the scenes, strong systems support these standards. From structured recruiting processes to leadership development programs, we equip our managers with the tools they need to hire, coach, and retain effectively. We also invest in quarterly leadership development for our management teams to reinforce best practices and build confidence in their roles.

Listening is another important part of our approach. We stay connected to both our teams and industry peers to continuously improve. When employees raise concerns, we address them with urgency, whether it is something small like an incorrect paycheck or something more complex impacting their day-to-day experience. Retention is built on trust, and trust is built through consistent follow-through.

Recognition and engagement also play a meaningful role. Referral incentives, anniversary rewards, and internal recognition programs help create a culture where employees feel valued. When people feel appreciated, they are more likely to stay and grow with the organization.

Embracing Technology to Strengthen the Hiring Process

As staffing challenges continue across the industry, technology is becoming an important support tool. At Smokey Mo’s, we are currently using AI-driven solutions to streamline candidate screening, improve application flow, and assist with interview scheduling for our general managers.

These tools allow our teams to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time engaging with candidates. While technology improves efficiency, the human element remains essential. Hospitality is built on relationships, and that starts with how we hire.

Advice for Building Strong, Sustainable Teams

For leaders focused on strengthening their workforce, several principles stand out.

First, do not wait until you are short-staffed to begin hiring. A proactive approach creates stability and reduces operational strain. Prioritize culture fit over experience, as skills can be developed through training, but alignment with your values drives long-term success.

Second, invest in leadership development. Managers play a critical role in shaping team culture and performance. Their ability to lead and support their teams has a direct impact on retention.

Finally, compensation should also reflect the value employees bring. Paying competitively within your market demonstrates respect and helps attract and retain strong talent. Employer branding is equally important. Organizations should be intentional about creating an environment where employees feel supported, engaged, and proud to be part of the team.

At Smokey Mo’s BBQ, this people-first approach has helped earn Top Workplace recognition in both Austin and San Antonio in recent years, including three consecutive years of honors. More importantly, it has helped us build a culture where employees can grow and succeed, and where guests experience the difference.