Benefiting at work from Brain Based Insights

This First 'Cheesecake Factory' opened in Rochester last night and the 2 hour wait was certainly worth the Chicken Madera and Dulce De Leche Caramel Cheesecake we ordered.

The much anticipated new Rochester site seemed perfect for such a popular restaurant chain looking for great traffic,  at the busy Pittsford Plaza. I think last night's revenue must have paid off the mortgage, because the entire city seemed to be in line for the first dinners served!

They'd opened a site in Albany and one in Buffalo last year, and so it was our turn. Rochester was clearly next in line and this Los Angeles based chain was well greeted to show the city's appreciation.

The restaurant was said to have employed about 200 people in the Rochester region, including builders and it seemed that all 200 served enthused customers on Thursday night.

Because we waited so long – we had an opportunity to observe the animated, well prepared staff. Somebody clearly trains Cheesecake Factory personnel to serve and smile – a trait I’d also seen in their Cambridge spot where I lunch with my daughter quite often.

For the entire evening ... I did have one question… Where were women leaders? While there appeared to be an equal number of men and women hired … multiple male managers - mostly young upstarts - managed competent women during the entire evening … and yet no women at all appeared to lead.

We figured this imbalance couldn't be so - with Rochester's keen commitment to equity - but it niggled our table from all sides.

So we called a confident gal over and asked if women were hired to lead here at The Cheesecake Factory. Not much... we were told. Seems they did hire three gals only who managed ... one was the fron counter manager of girls who welcomed quests and took reservation - and of these three ... none were there.

Unbelieveably, the men pretty much run the who show at The Cheesecake Factory we were told. It must be just a fluke we decided – and yet we saw it take place. Can anybody tell me how leadership roles get chosen at this restaurant?

I’d love to prove what I saw was merely a nuance last night - and that young Rochester women also lead in our wonderful new Cheese Factory digs. Do you know what’s up?