Staffing

Church's Chicken launches hybrid return-to-office model at support center

Photo: File/provided.

July 26, 2021

Church's Chicken said it will launch a balanced hybrid model to guide the return-to-office procedures for the company's Atlanta-based Restaurant Support Center teams, according to a news release. The model recognizes the importance of in-person interactions, while continuing to practice social distancing guidelines.

"As many companies look to create a new normal for employees, Church's has chartered a course that focuses on sustaining our team members and securing the continuity of our business," Church's Chief People Officer Karen Viera, said in the release. "The pandemic has reinforced that our organization has to remain nimble, but we're also taking a forward-thinking approach combined with our related learnings to stay ahead of pace. We are also leaning heavily into our People First Safety Always Plan to guide us through how we're doing business, as we seek what's best for all our teams, franchisees, and enterprise."

Over the past year, Church's has activated modified schedules for the Restaurant Support Center, which assists team members across the globe. Team members were placed on remote workforce schedules and split-schedules, depending on current COVID-19 trends and data.

The hybrid model features three days in-office and two days remote for all teams. The new model will launch in 2022 and enables the company to advance work-life balance for employees while enhancing the workability and connectivity of the Restaurant Support Center teams.

"We optimized how we work with the strategies developed in response to the pandemic," Viera said. "We will continue to use this methodology to ensure a win-win environment."

Sister brands, Church's Texas Chicken in the Americas and Texas Chicken outside the Americas have more than 1,500 locations in 26 countries and international territories.