Confessions of a Hospitality Headhunter

5 lessons from placing top talent at the most revered restaurant groups - wisdom that can transform your business.

  • Why leadership failures drive turnover - and how to fix them.

  • Why to hire for adaptability, not pedigree.

  • The importance of culture and how to build it.

  • What resumes miss and how to read between the lines.

  • The hidden cost of turnover and how to avoid It.

Are You Struggling With These Common Hiring Challenges?

We Help Build Teams That Thrive

Since 2017, we’ve been the trusted recruiting partner for some of the top restaurants, hotels, and restaurant tech groups. More than filling roles, we deliver lasting value by building teams that thrive.

We have proven success placing great management talent in-unit, field, and corporate levels up to C-level.

And we have great relationships with our clients and candidates.

Book a Free Consultation to See How We Can Help

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On the Call

In your 30-minute consultation, we can provide:

  • Quick diagnostic of your hiring bottlenecks and people strategy

  • Compensation and market trend snapshot

  • Next steps plan to enhance your hiring process and retention

  • Custom recommendations based on your business

Trusted By Industry Hospitality Leaders

Testimonial

"They just get it - the industry, the challenges, and what it takes to find the right fit. Even when we're searching for a needle in a haystack, they help us navigate the talent pool with ease and precision. If anyone can find it, it's them!"

Angela Wang, The Group Hospitality

Our Results

  • Average 5-6 Resumes Per Hire

  • 200+ Placements Since 2022

  • 55,000+ Candidate Database

  • Proud GGRA Member

Testimonial

"I'd recommend Willow Tree to any restaurant group that wants a recruiting partner who understands the industry and actually cares about long-term fit. They bring a balance of professionalism, hustle, and heart that's rare in hospitality recruiting."

Chris Maynard, Square Pie Guys

Stephanie Yee, Managing Director

Stephanie is a veteran recruiter with deep hospitality roots and a reputation for finding long-term fits, not just quick placements.

With years of experience placing management and executive talent across the most respected restaurant groups, hotels, and hospitality tech companies, Stephanie understands what it takes to build teams that thrive.

Her approach combines industry expertise, rigorous vetting, and a genuine commitment to understanding both client culture and candidate aspirations—ensuring every placement is built to last.

Supporting the hospitality industry and building exceptional teams since 2017.