Elizabeth “Liz” Sanchez swept the 2006 regional sales awards for Chevys Fresh Mex, the 104-unit casual-dining chain that belongs to Cyprus, Calif.-based Real Mex Restaurants Inc. Sanchez, director of the East Bay region for Chevys in Fremont, Calif., took home four plaques: highest increase of sales from the prior year, highest increase in average sales per unit, highest increase in profits from the prior year and highest increase in profits per unit.
The awards were especially satisfying for Sanchez, who is celebrating her 10th anniversary with the company and is the only female regional director for Chevys. Industrywide, men hold the majority of middle- and upper-level management positions.
How have you inspired the managers in your region to perform well?
It comes down to understanding their job, from their position. A lot of regional [directors] get promoted and then forget what it’s like to be a GM. It’s a lot of work to run one restaurant. I never forgot that. I look at what do they really need. What’s really important? I try to focus on developing each and every single person. I like to have one-on-one conversations, talk about how their kids are doing and build relationships.
Why aren’t more women in management in the restaurant industry?
It could be intimidating, just to see lots of men there. That could be part of it. But even in my position now, since I’ve been a regional director, I have had more women want to step into management. I think they see me and say: “She’s doing it. I can do it, too.”
Do you have any advice for female managers trying to balance their personal lives with their careers?
Prioritize your personal life as you would your business life. When you go to work Monday, you are thinking I need to get this done and that done. Take the same frame of mind in your personal life. Thursday is my day off. Does the laundry really need to get done? Or could I spend some time doing something else, like having a cup of coffee at the cafe with my loved one, or reading a book? Don’t let those days off be secondary to your business life.
