Black Angus Steakhouses: Leveraging Texting for Employee Communication During Pandemic

Black Angus Steakhouse, a renowned American Steakhouse with over 40 locations and more than 2,000 employees, faced a significant challenge during the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic forced the company to close all its restaurants, leaving the HR team with no viable means to communicate with its entire workforce. The challenge was exacerbated by the fact that front-line workers did not have company email, and furloughed employees had their email access deactivated. Consequently, the traditional method of communication via email was not an option, leaving the HR team in a predicament.

Black Angus Steakhouse is a well-established American Steakhouse that has been mastering its craft since 1964. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and has over 40 locations across the nation. It employs over 2,000 people, making it a significant player in the restaurant industry. The company prides itself on its quality steaks and has built a strong reputation over the years. However, like many businesses, it faced unprecedented challenges during the coronavirus pandemic, which forced it to close all its restaurants temporarily.

To overcome this communication challenge, Black Angus' HR team sought a quick and easy solution to reach their employees and vice versa. They found their solution in AllyO ConnectTM, a business texting platform designed for HR and recruiting teams. This platform could be activated overnight, providing an immediate solution to their communication problem. Through texting campaigns and one-on-one messages, the HR team was able to reach thousands of employees within minutes. They were able to confirm employee contact information, identify which furloughed employees intended to return to work, and provide support to their employees in critical moments. This solution also helped prepare the business for reopening.

• The implementation of the AllyO ConnectTM business texting platform revolutionized Black Angus Steakhouse's communication with its employees during the pandemic. The platform allowed the HR team to reach out to thousands of employees within minutes, a feat that would have been impossible with traditional communication methods. This swift and efficient communication helped the company confirm employee contact information and identify which furloughed employees intended to return to work. It also enabled the HR team to provide critical support to their employees during a challenging time. Moreover, the platform played a crucial role in preparing the business for reopening, ensuring a smooth transition back to normal operations.

• Average response rate within 1 hour was 74%
• Average response rate within 24 hours was 96%
• Received hundreds of 'Thank Yous' from employees