Umoe Restaurants is also introducing
automation wherever possible.
“We use a number of robots. We would
rather invest in a machine to make the work
more efficient than to employ one more
person. That’s a major thing.” Then there are
the logistics challenges with sourcing the
right produce to bring American menus to
the Scandinavian market. Most American
outlets rely on brand standards that have
no distribution in Norway, meaning Umoe
has had to source new suppliers. The food
procurement process is carefully monitored
and the entire menu for each restaurant is
reviewed at least three times a year. “We go
through what we’re selling, so there is a
constant adaptation to consumer demand. We
have also seen, in some areas, we have much
higher demand for certain products in the
Scandinavian markets than in other markets.”BEING A FIRST EMPLOYER
One of the company’s core values is boldness- a commitment to talking about difficult
issues. It is unusual to hear a QSR chief talk
about challenges and responsibilities involved
in being the first employer for many of their
staff, but Sverre has clearly given a lot of
thought on how to guide a young workforce.
“You can’t take anything for granted
because they are 15 or 16 years old and
stepping into an adult world. By day, they
are at junior high school but during
weekends and evenings, they are in an adult
world with stricter rules on how to behave.
There are consequences for misbehaving.”
For its young charges, Umoe isn’t just
an employer; it plays a formative role in
their lives and careers. Sverre says there is
a paternal aspect to what the company does
and that it has a responsibility to give its
young employees guidance that goes beyond
what they do at work. “Right now, we’re
discussing the ‘Me Too’ campaign,” he says.
“If you’re 16 and you fall in love with
someone who is 17 or 15, how do you
behave? What can and can’t you do? When
you’re 15 or 16, you make your own rules.
The main responsibility is understanding that
these are very young people. We are reallyHalf page advert
Martin & ServeraMartin & Servera is the
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