Be the Change: How Snooze Prioritizes Sustainability

Have you ever wondered how a restaurant chain can truly integrate sustainability into its daily operations?

At Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, across all 70 locations, every employee undergoes Sustainability 101 training, and a designated "Change Maker" ensures that environmental and community initiatives, from volunteering to fundraising, are actively pursued, creating a more personalized and impactful approach to corporate responsibility that resonates with staff and the community. 

Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine connected with Clint Hughey, Snooze’s Director of Impact, to learn how the Change Maker role is one of the most essential at Snooze.

What is the role of the “Change Maker?” Where did the idea come from and what is the significance of the name?

At Snooze, our Change Makers are the heart and soul of how we bring our Compass, or core values, to life. They inspire their teams to roll up their sleeves and make an impact, whether it’s organizing a river cleanup, hosting a community garden day, running donation drives, or creating everyday moments of celebration that make our restaurants feel like true hubs for our communities.

The idea of the Change Maker has deep roots at Snooze. Before 2020, we actually had two separate roles: Community Commanders and Green Captains. As we grew, we saw the opportunity to blend those passions into a single, more holistic role, one that champions our values around community and sustainability with equal heart. It’s a role built on purpose, passion and the belief that small actions can create big change. As we like to say, it only takes a moment to make a difference.

It’s a role built on purpose, passion and the belief that small actions can create big change.

Today, we’re continuing to invest in this role and the incredible Snoozers who step into it. We’re actively working on improving the training, resources, and toolkit available to Change Makers to set them up for success. We also see the Change Maker program as a way to identify future leaders for Snooze. Snoozers who lead with their values and want to grow their own leadership skills.

In many ways, the Change Maker serves as an extension of our management team support system, similar to a supervisor or a future manager. With the right tools and support, Change Makers can assist with onboarding and training new Snoozers, manage relationships with local non-profit partners, and help drive local, community-focused marketing initiatives. It’s not just about creating impact outside our four walls; it’s about strengthening our teams, our communities, and our culture from the inside out.

What characteristics do you look for in staff to fill the role of “Change Maker?”

We’re looking for team members who live and breathe our Compass values—Snoozers who show up every day with heart, purpose, and a passion for making a difference. These are the Snoozers who don't just clock in and out, but those that are eager to help their teams and restaurants become true hubs of connection in their neighborhoods.

We aim to have at least one Change Maker in every restaurant, and in some of our bigger markets, we even have Regional Change Makers who help mentor and lift up a whole community of Snoozers around them. It’s all about building a ripple effect of positivity, leadership, and local impact.

Right now, we’re giving the Change Maker "syllabus" a full refresh, shaped by feedback from the field and the voices of our Change Maker Advisory Group. The new version is all about clearer guidance, stronger support and a flexible toolkit that lets Change Makers lead with authenticity in a way that fits their teams and their communities.

We’re excited for this next chapter! Change Makers are more than just passionate Snoozers – they're future leaders who help Snooze show up with heart, soul and a whole lot of fun in every community we serve.

Why does the brand feel it’s so important to imprint sustainability throughout its stores?

The restaurant industry has traditionally been riddled with waste, high energy and water usage, and deep ties to our intricate, often unsustainable, food system. These are all major contributors to our changing environment. The irony is that while restaurants have historically been part of the problem, we also have a powerful opportunity to be part of the solution if we’re willing to evolve.

Sustainability isn’t a destination for us; it’s an ongoing journey. And we believe that by embedding it into the DNA of our business, we can help drive the kind of positive change our industry, and our planet, needs.

At Snooze, we see it differently. We believe restaurants can be changemakers, driving a model that supports both people and the planet. Sustainability isn’t a side project for us; it’s something we work to embed into our culture, our operations and the way we show up for our Guests and communities every day. Our Change Maker program is one way we weave that passion into our restaurants, empowering Snoozers at every level to take action and lead the way.

Of course, this work isn’t without its challenges. The restaurant industry is known for razor-thin margins and is highly sensitive to shifts in the supply chain, agriculture and broader economic pressures. We’ve had to rethink how we show up in this space, especially as we navigate realities like food-cost inflation—can anyone say egg prices? That’s why it’s so important for us to partner with like-minded suppliers who share our commitment to responsible sourcing, like Slope Side Syrup, King Arthur Flour and Maple Leaf Foods. Knowing where our food comes from, and that it's produced with care, allows us to continue serving high-quality, craveable dishes while staying true to our values.

Sustainability isn’t a destination for us; it’s an ongoing journey. And we believe that by embedding it into the DNA of our business, we can help drive the kind of positive change our industry, and our planet, needs. At Snooze, we know we can’t flip the entire industry overnight, but just like the perfect pancake, real change starts one small, intentional action at a time.

What response do you get from staff?

For me, it all comes down to empowerment. Having a Change Maker at each location creates space for our Snoozers to show up as a force for good, not just for their communities, but for themselves and their teams. It’s about giving permission, encouragement and support to lead with purpose, bring others along and find joy in the impact they create together.

That said, we fully recognize that restaurant life is fast-paced and physically demanding. Long hours on your feet and the constant rhythm of service don’t always leave extra room for new initiatives. That’s why we focus on building momentum in ways that feel natural, supportive, and energizing, not like just another item on the to-do list. Our goal is to integrate community and sustainability work into the fabric of each restaurant in a way that feels authentic and rewarding for our teams.

One powerful example of this is our Earth Month volunteer efforts. Each year, Change Makers partner with local community gardens to organize regional volunteer days, bringing Snoozers together to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty—in the best way. These events not only create meaningful community impact but also foster cross-restaurant connection and deepen our sense of collective purpose.

We also see this leadership shine during the holiday season, when Change Makers coordinate donation drives in partnership with local nonprofits. From food and toy collections to winter coat drives, these efforts reflect the creativity and compassion of our teams and help ensure that our restaurants are true community hubs year-round.

What other sustainable efforts does the brand put in practice?

Sustainability has always been part of how we think about doing business and while the road isn’t always linear, our commitment remains strong and we continue to build on a foundation of environmental stewardship.

Across our restaurants, we prioritize energy and water efficiency through features like LED lighting and low-flow water aerators. We’ve also made a strong commitment to sustainable packaging. From compostable and recyclable containers to eco-friendly materials, we're always looking for ways to minimize waste while maintaining the quality and care our Guests expect. Right now, we’re exploring exciting new ideas to elevate our packaging game even further, ensuring it’s not only sustainable but thoughtfully designed to reflect the Snooze experience.

Our goal is to integrate community and sustainability work into the fabric of each restaurant in a way that feels authentic and rewarding for our teams.

On the operational side, we’re developing new energy-saving protocols for everyday practices like opening and closing procedures. These are small changes that, when scaled across our restaurants, can make a meaningful impact over time. It's about embedding sustainability into the daily rhythm of our teams in ways that feel supportive and achievable, not like just another task on an already busy day. I’m especially excited to engage our managers in this process, as they often bring incredible ideas and enjoy being part of shaping new solutions.

We’re also incredibly proud of programs like 1 Tree, 1 Snoozer, where we plant a tree for every Snoozer and every Loyalty member that joined us on Earth Day. It’s a simple, tangible way for every individual to see their role in creating a greener future. One thing we love is that these trees are planted at our coffee partner’s farm in Guatemala, a partnership that started back in 2017 and continues to thrive today, with over 23,000 trees planted to date.

Beyond our own walls, we’re proud to work alongside suppliers who are equally committed to fostering sustainability. Partners like Slope Side Syrup, King Arthur Baking Company, Yellowbird Hot Sauce, and Maple Leaf Foods are doing incredible work to advance responsible practices in agriculture and food production. Their efforts inspire us, and we’re proud to bring their products, and their values, to our tables every day.

Sustainability isn’t a box we check, it’s a living, evolving commitment to doing better as we grow. We’re proud of what we’ve built so far and energized about the opportunities ahead.

What do you think other brands can learn from Snooze’s sustainability efforts?

Let’s be honest, the restaurant industry operates on an ever-evolving landscape that can shift by the hour. As restaurateurs, we’re constantly navigating new challenges, and to stay resilient, we must remain nimble and adaptive. But to do that effectively, without losing what makes your brand uniquely yours, you need to be crystal clear on your values and what you’re striving to create within your four walls.

At Snooze, we often say that every day starts with serving amazing food, and that begins with great ingredients. For any restaurant looking to embed sustainability into their model, it has to start with sourcing. Real change begins at the farm level, with the partners you choose to support along your supply chain. That’s why we work with producers who share our purpose and values because when you start with high-quality, ethically sourced ingredients, the food speaks for itself, and your Guests will keep coming back for more.

Sustainability initiatives will naturally evolve, especially in an industry as dynamic as ours. But when your values are baked into the culture, you create a vision that can adapt without losing its soul. Build your mission into the foundation of your brand, then empower your teams to lead with heart, purpose, and creativity. If you do that, the impact—and the business success—will follow.