Episode Summary

What does it take to lead people strategy for nearly 12,000 employees across 11 brands and 500 locations?

In this episode of HR Voices, host Emily Fenech sits down with David Hawthorne, Chief People Officer at Anchor Point Management Group, the operator behind major franchises like Taco Bell and Buffalo Wild Wings.

With over two decades at the company, David shares how leadership has evolved through massive growth and what it really means to upskill thousands of managers in a high-turnover, frontline industry.

From the lingering impacts of COVID on talent to leveraging skills-based hiring and experimenting with AI in HR, David offers real-world insights into managing scale without losing a people-first mindset. You’ll hear how Anchor Point is reducing turnover, building a skills inventory, and creating a culture of accountability plus, why the best leadership development still happens shoulder to shoulder.

Key Timestamps

[00:35] – Meet David Hawthorne and Anchor Point’s massive multi-brand footprint
[01:43] – The challenge of staying agile as a “small company in a big body”
[02:29] – Top leadership challenges post-COVID and bridging generational skill gaps
[03:16] – Why getting “back to basics” works: communication, accountability, and feedback
[05:30] – The power of role modeling over traditional training
[06:33] – Skills-first hiring and building an internal skills inventory
[08:55] – Where AI fits into HR workflows and where it doesn’t (yet)
[10:51] – Using HCM data to predict and prevent employee turnover
[12:00] – David’s career advice: Don’t wait to be developed—own your growth

Takeaways

Return to leadership fundamentals, strong communication and accountability still move the needle
Upskilling starts with role modeling, the most effective training is seeing great leadership in action
Build a skills inventory know what your people are good at beyond job titles
AI can aid but not replace human judgment, especially when it comes to sensitive HR issues
Use HCM data for retention, spot flight risks and take proactive steps to retain talent
Own your development, resources are everywhere, but initiative is up to you

Sponsor

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David Hawthorne, Chief People Officer at Anchor Point Management Group, LLC

HR Voices

David Hawthorne, Chief People Officer at Anchor Point Management Group, LLC