Spotlight on Tickle My Ribs: Embedding Franchise Training

In the world of fast-casual dining, it’s one thing to serve great barbecue—but it’s another to deliver that same experience consistently across every location, every shift, every plate. That’s the magic Sean Morris is cooking up at Tickle My Ribs.

If you’re in franchise operations, learning and development, or restaurant leadership, you won’t want to miss our latest episode of the Training Impact Podcast. I sat down with Sean—CEO, pitmaster, and systems mastermind—to talk about the franchise journey behind Tickle My Ribs and how their embedded training program became a secret weapon for operational excellence.

🎧 Listen now: Behind the Smoker: How Embedded Franchise Training Powers Tickle My Ribs

Sean’s story is one of passion and precision. Raised in a family-run Carolina barbecue chain, he cut his teeth in hands-on hospitality before climbing the ranks of major national brands like Buffalo Wild Wings, Denny’s, Lone Star, and Tia’s Tex-Mex. But when it came time to launch his own franchise, Sean knew training couldn’t be an afterthought—it had to be the engine.

That’s why Tickle My Ribs doesn’t just teach tasks. It builds skill. Every process, from slicing brisket to managing a shift, is reinforced through real-time prompts, embedded SOPs, and a culture of shoulder-to-shoulder coaching. The results? Less turnover. Faster onboarding. More consistency across locations. And a growing team of certified trainers in red shirts and embroidered hats, guiding the next wave of pit crew pros.

We cover it all in the podcast—from the real-world challenges of scaling a training program to the strategic decisions that make it franchise-ready. Sean also shares how technology, including a POS-integrated LMS, helps keep training fresh and relevant in every store.

But that’s not all.

💡 Want to go deeper? You can now read the full case study on the Tickle My Ribs training program—an inside look at how this growing franchise is turning learning into a competitive advantage.

📄 Download the Case Study: The Embedded Training Engine Behind Tickle My Ribs

Inside the case study, you’ll discover:

• The types of learners they train—from hourly crew to franchise owners
• What each role needs to know and do to maintain brand standards
• How training is assigned, tracked, and rewarded in real time
• Best practices that align with Stage 3 of the LatitudeLearning Training Program Roadmap
• Challenges like high turnover, engagement, and consistency—and how they’re met head-on

If you’re thinking about scaling your brand or improving your franchisee experience, this is more than a spotlight—it’s a blueprint.

✅ Learn how to embed training into your operations.
✅ See what scalable success really looks like.
✅ Get inspired to level-up your training game.

Tickle My Ribs isn’t just growing fast—it’s growing smart. And it’s doing so one trained, motivated, high-performing team member at a time.

🔗 To learn more about Tickle My Ribs and franchise opportunities, visit www.tmrbbq.com

—
Jeff Walter
Host, Training Impact Podcast
Founder & CEO, LatitudeLearning