In this episode of Who Hired This Person?, host Kaitlyn Randall sits down with Alyssa Brown, Human Resources Manager at Twin Peaks. From starting as a server in 2016 to earning her master’s degree and rising into HR leadership, Alyssa brings firsthand insight into the unique hiring challenges of the restaurant industry.

She shares candid stories about balancing speed with culture fit, why attitude often matters more than experience, and the surprising moments when a “perfect” candidate didn’t quite work out. Alyssa also highlights how Twin Peaks uses assessments, training, and consistency to ensure every hire supports the guest-first culture.

Whether you’re hiring in hospitality, retail, or any high-turnover environment, Alyssa’s lessons reveal why relationships, energy, and resilience are at the core of building strong teams.

Key Lessons Covered in This Episode:

🔹 From Server to HR Leader:

Alyssa’s journey at Twin Peaks proves that internal growth and culture alignment can be just as important as outside experience.

🔹 Red Flags That Matter Most:

It’s not about the resume—it’s about enthusiasm for guest service and energy in the interview process.

🔹 Internal Promotions That Shine:

How two employees without traditional management backgrounds became some of Twin Peaks’ strongest leaders.

🔹 Speed vs. Fit:

Why Twin Peaks streamlines its hiring process to two interviews plus assessments—fast, but without cutting corners on culture fit.

🔹 When a Candidate Looks Perfect (But Isn’t):

The risks of “masked” interviews and why the first 90 days are critical to uncovering the real culture fit.

🔹 Consistency Across Locations:

How standardized assessments, interview guides, and manager training keep hiring aligned nationwide.

🔹 The Big Lesson Learned:

Skills can be taught. Attitude, work ethic, and team mindset cannot.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Hire for culture fit and attitude first—skills can follow.

✅ Streamlined processes reduce turnover without sacrificing quality.

✅ Internal growth can produce some of the best long-term hires.

✅ Watch for enthusiasm (or lack of it) during interviews—it’s a major predictor of fit.

✅ Standardization creates fairness and consistency across multiple locations.

✅ HR leaders must balance candidate experience with organizational needs.

Links & Resources:

🔗 Explore career opportunities at Twin Peaks: Twin Peaks Careers

🔗 Connect with Alyssa on LinkedIn: Alyssa Brown