Meet Jolene

About Jolene Clayton

Founder of People Over Patties

People-first leadership, hospitality roots, family-centered values.

Jolene Clayton teaching teammates at a whiteboard in the restaurant
People-first leadership starts with teaching shoulder-to-shoulder and setting clear targets.

About Jolene & People Over Patties

Strong people. Strong culture. Lasting impact.

Hi, I’m Jolene Clayton. I’ve worked in food service for 15 years—the last four in QSR—and I’m an Operating Partner with Whataburger in the Greenville, SC area. I started People Over Patties (POP) to share what actually works on the floor: clarity, calm, and coaching—especially when the board is full and the headset won’t stop chirping.

Leadership isn’t a title. It’s how you show up on a Tuesday at 5:30 pm when the fries are dropping, the dining room is packed, and a trainee freezes at the register. That’s where culture is built—right there in the moment.

Short Bio

I grew up in this industry—from line work to late-night closes—before stepping into QSR leadership. In my OP role, I focus on three things: clear standards, steady coaching, and guest-driven results. POP is my way of giving back: practical posts, printable tools, and honest stories from an operator who’s still in the game—headset, apron, and all.

If you lead a team (or want to), you’re in the right place.

My Story

I didn’t start behind a desk. I started on the line.

I learned pace and hospitality during lunch rushes that wouldn’t end and store turnarounds where morale was low and guest complaints were high. I saw how a leader’s energy changes the whole room: if I got sharper, the team shrank; if I slowed down, coached, and gave one clear next step, people stood taller—and guests felt it.

Over time I was trusted with opening units, rebuilding teams, and mentoring new leaders. The playbook that kept working wasn’t fancy: Clarity + Consistency + Care. That’s POP. When you invest in people, the patties (and the metrics) take care of themselves.

The spark for POP came during a season when our store didn’t need another SOP—we needed a reset. We recommitted to steady standards, positive coaching, and accountability with compassion. Complaints dropped. Sales improved. Most importantly, people started enjoying the work again. That’s when I knew I wanted to help more operators do the same.

What I Believe (POP Principles)

  • Clarity beats chaos. Everyone should know what “good” looks like—today.
  • Coach, don’t just correct. Direction fixes today; coaching builds tomorrow.
  • Consistency is kindness. Steady message, steady model.
  • Culture shows up on the floor. Guests feel what your team feels.
  • Results follow people. Customer Satisfaction, speed of service, customer comments move when people are growing.

The POP Cadence (What You’ll Get Weekly)

  • Motivation Monday – mindset and momentum for the week
  • Tactical Tuesday – step-by-step plays you can run this shift
  • Wednesday Wisdom – leadership lessons & culture stories
  • Thought-Provoking Thursday – questions that sharpen your edge
  • Framework Friday – printable checklists, huddles, and tools

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Signature Frameworks You’ll See

  • Guest-Driven Results – empowering teams to create moments guests remember
  • Compassionate Accountability – balancing high standards with human care
  • Radical Retention – the new-age approach to keeping great people

Mentors & Moments That Shaped Me

Mentors: Jeff Kinard, Brian Gerhls, Adam Stewart, Ron Williams, and my husband Chris Burt—each modeling calm under pressure, high standards with heart, and the power of coaching in the moment.

Books that changed my lens: Radical Candor, The Dichotomy of Leadership, Impact Players

Defining moments: Store turnarounds and unit launches where we proved that culture is a choice you make every shift—not a poster on the wall.

For Operators & Managers

If you’re juggling labor, training, guest metrics, and life, POP was built for you. Expect practical content you can share at pre-shift, frameworks you can print and use today, and scripts that make tough conversations simpler and kinder.

Call to Action

Quick Facts

  • 10+ years in QSR leadership
  • Store openings & turnarounds
  • Team engagement & retention focus
  • Obsessed with checklists that free people—not chain them

A Few Personal Things

  • Coffee + clipboard person
  • Believes in high-fives and clean walk-ins
  • Favorite quote: “Clear is kind.”
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Family First

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We’re an outdoors family—if there’s fresh air, we’re there. We love hiking, camping, and long days at the beach or the lake. Keeping family at the center is what keeps my leadership grounded.

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Jolene smiling and relaxing outdoors
Staying grounded starts with remembering who I am beyond the headset.
Family celebrating together at a trunk-or-treat event
Family traditions and community moments fuel why People Over Patties exists.
Clayton family smiling together outside the restaurant
Keeping family at the center shapes every leadership decision.

Let’s Work Together

Ready to build people-first teams and coach leaders with purpose? I’d love to learn more about your goals. Reach out and let’s explore how People Over Patties can support your next chapter.