Meet Cheryl Green, the Chief People Officer at SSCP Management, Inc. With over two decades of experience, Cheryl is a seasoned professional when it comes to developing, leading, and executing HR strategies for SSCP Management, its restaurants, and the Support Center.
As Chief People Officer, Cheryl is responsible for ensuring that the company’s HR strategy aligns with its overall business objectives. Her expertise in HR management and strategy has enabled SSCP Management to attract and retain top talent, improve employee engagement, and enhance the overall employee experience.
With Cheryl at the helm, SSCP Management is poised for continued success in the highly competitive restaurant industry.
SSCP Management (sscpmanagement.com) is a multi-award-winning restaurant and real estate company that is family and minority owned and operated. They began operating in 1995 as a Burger King franchise and went on to acquire a significant portion of Applebee’s markets. They have grown immensely since then, and now actively manage a robust portfolio, from fast food to fine dining concepts. Today, SSCP and/or its affiliates currently own/operate 80 Applebee’s, 43 Sonic Drive-Ins, are the parent company of Roy’s, a fine dining establishment, the Franchise owner of 300 Cici’s Pizza, and recently acquired the entire Corner Bakery brand. SSCP is also heavily invested in the real estate market, owning a variety of retail malls, & apartment complexes.
Award-Winning Restaurant and Real Estate Company
SSCP Management, a family and minority-owned restaurant and real estate company, has received multiple awards for their exceptional performance. They started their journey in 1995 as a Burger King franchise and later expanded their operations to include a significant share of the Applebee’s market. Over time, they have experienced substantial growth and now manage an extensive range of dining concepts, from fast food to fine dining. Presently, SSCP and/or its affiliates possess and run 80 Applebee’s, 43 Sonic Drive-Ins, own the parent company of Roy’s, which is a high-end dining establishment, possess 300 Cici’s Pizza franchise, along with owning various retail malls and apartment complexes. They have plans to continue expanding their business in the future.
Dedication and Support of Family and Community
Cheryl, who grew up in a large family with six younger siblings, was inspired by her mother’s hard work and dedication to caring not only for their family but also for other members of the community. This became her inspiration to serve those in need. After completing high school, she got married and started a family. Always feeling drawn to serve those in need; Cheryl worked for various organizations throughout the years, including the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services, while raising her 4 children.
Prior to joining SSCP, Cheryl sought a position that would provide a sufficient salary to support her family and applied for a receptionist role at SSCP. She almost didn’t get the job, but in the end, God had a plan; Cheryl was welcomed to the team and has been a key contributor to the growth and success of the organization for 24 years. She firmly believes that it was divine intervention that led her to join the Dharod family at SSCP.
Leading with Trust
SSCP places a strong emphasis on integrity as one of its core values. The company believes that trust is a crucial aspect of its culture and is built on the foundation of integrity, along with other values such as teamwork, respect, accountability, and compassion. For any organization to succeed, transparency and trust are essential. When leaders lead with integrity, innovation becomes a natural by-product. When teams believe in the company’s mission and vision, and its leaders set an example by upholding its core values, it creates a culture that fosters new, creative, and original ideas.
Constant Growing and Learning as a Leader
Cheryl is a firm believer in continuous personal development. She actively participates in continuing education keeping herself informed of the latest market trends, people trends. However, for her, internal development is the most crucial aspect of her growth. She strives to be an excellent human being, someone her parents and children can be proud of, and this intentional goal has helped her become a better leader.
Cheryl acknowledges the incredible team in their Support Center and the wonderful people working in their restaurants, who have helped her grow every day. She has never focused on being a black leader; instead, she sees herself as a woman who wants to see others succeed. At the same time, she recognizes the importance of representation and aspires to be an inspiration for young men and women of color who are on similar journeys towards their dreams.
The Benefits of Servant Leadership/ The Unconventional Journey
Cheryl admits that she never envisioned herself becoming a leader; it all happened very naturally for her. When she first started at SSCP, there were only five employees in the office, and Sunil, the company’s founder, saw something in her that she was not aware of. He encouraged her development and valued her perspective, and as the company continued to grow, they became aligned in their goals and visions for the organization. Cheryl feels that she was meant to be at SSCP, and Sunil took a leap of faith by investing in her.
Cheryl firmly believes that servant leadership is the key to any organization’s success. She cites a quote by Simon Sinek, “Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.” She has found that this approach fosters trust among colleagues, encourages critical and collaborative thinking, and ultimately leads to more productive and inclusive teams. Though the job is never easy, Cheryl maintains that servant leadership is worth the effort and results in long-term success for the organization.
A Role that Requires Focus, Determination and Empathy
Cheryl’s position demands an active involvement in the day-to-day situations and circumstances that arise. Similarly, her role in the HR department is to act as both a resource and a safe space for over 5,000 employees. Cheryl’s duties include managing, researching and meeting with new benefit providers & vendors, updating policies & procedures, and providing guidance on employee relations issues.
In fulfilling these responsibilities, Cheryl’s prioritize the needs of each individual and strive to adapt and evolve to their unique circumstances. Additionally, she is responsible for outlining how people work, identifying the workflow, and forming partnerships to ensure the team has access to the best talent; as well as creating, organizing, implementing, and analysing various programs and initiatives.
Cheryl’s daily routine differs from the typical 9-5 Monday to Friday schedule that many leaders follow. Her schedule is often dictated by current events, on-the-ground situations, and the continuously evolving laws. Cheryl is always available to assist individuals in need, even if it is outside of regular business hours. The most satisfying part of her day is coming home to her family, for whom she dedicates everything, just as she did 23 years ago when she first joined SSCP.
For Cheryl, the most fulfilling moment of her professional day is when she receives feedback that something she did or said made a team member feel recognized or appreciated. Additionally, when she receives thank-you cards for the Puja Foundation grant that helped families during challenging times, it brings her immense joy. Cheryl strives to make a positive difference and provide hope and support to her team and staff across the country.
Finding Technology, a Great Aid
Cheryl acknowledges the benefits of technology in HR and believes it can be a great resource. For instance, algorithms that aid in talent acquisition can help save time by identifying suitable candidates. Additionally, mobile onboarding platforms can help store all necessary information such as compliance, tax, and demographic data. However, she also acknowledges that technology can take away the personal touch from important processes and become a crutch instead of a tool. Cheryl thinks that some companies tend to rely too heavily on technology, which can result in losing the human element of the HR function.
Admiring People with a Passion for Work
Cheryl holds a great admiration for employees who prioritize passion in their work, as it is an innate desire that cannot be taught or trained. She values individuals who exhibit genuine enthusiasm for their work and remain committed to the same goals.
Secondly, Cheryl values coachability in employees, as it is impossible for anyone to know everything all the time. She places a high premium on individuals who can humbly own up to their mistakes and display a willingness to learn and improve. To her, these individuals are priceless.
Becoming a Global Brand
Cheryl’s shares that the vision for SSCP’s future is to establish itself as the leading restaurant and real estate company in the communities it serves. In partnership with CEO Sunil Dharod, President and 2nd generation operator of SSCP, Chris Dharod, they aim to create boundless career opportunities for the company’s employees, enabling them to thrive both personally and professionally. While the ultimate goal is for SSCP to become a well-known global brand, they recognizes that this will take time. For now, the company will focus on growing, improving, and serving the communities it operates in on a national level.
Written by Steve Sanchez.
