Jeremy and Angie Walton talk about their journey of launching a hospitality company in Alys Beach, Florida. Jeremy, a veteran of luxury hospitality brands like Montage and Sea Island, and Angie, who transitioned from a career in social work, share how they navigated the immense challenges of opening their first restaurant, Citizen, amidst the global pandemic . The conversation explores their "yin and yang" dynamic, where Jeremy’s creative obsession with detail is balanced by Angie’s focus on human resources and operational problem-solving . Central to their philosophy is the idea that they are not just selling food but are "responsible for people’s memories," a mindset that informs their commitment to high standards, efficient kitchen design, and a culture that values and empowers every team member .

10 Key Takeaways

Responsibility for Memories: A mentor taught Jeremy that hospitality professionals are responsible for the memories created during guests' special moments, whether they are celebrations or solemn occasions .
Culture as the Foundation: Building a culture where employees are cared for and heard is essential, as happy staff naturally provide better service to guests .
Character-Based Investing: When seeking capital, the Waltons prioritized investors whose character and values aligned with theirs, viewing the relationship as a long-term marriage .
The Power of Complementary Skills: The business thrives on the balance between Jeremy's creative drive and Angie’s task-oriented ability to execute and solve day-to-day operational problems .
Pivoting During Crisis: Construction delays that initially seemed devastating proved to be "blessings in disguise" by preventing an opening during the height of the 2020 lockdowns .
Efficiency by Design: The Waltons spent significant effort designing workspaces—such as dedicated bar walk-ins and optimized kitchen layouts—to make it easier for staff to perform at a high level consistently .
High Standards Across All Tiers: They apply the same 67-step "sequence of service" across different restaurant concepts, believing all guests deserve high-level service regardless of price point .
Leading "On the Court": Leadership requires being present and willing to work alongside the team in any role, including the dish pit, to effectively teach and maintain standards .
A Therapeutic Approach to Management: Angie’s background in social work helped her transition into hospitality by focusing on the human needs of the team and providing consistency and fairness .
Structured Collaborative Forums: The team holds regular collaborative meetings to share employees, solve problems together, and ensure a "two-way flow" of information .