Owners Session: Scaling a People-First Business
From the beginning, P. Terry’s founders Kathy and Patrick Terry believed that taking care of people and building a great business weren’t competing ideas; they're directly tied to each other.
Over the past two decades, P. Terry’s has grown from a single Austin burger stand to 37 locations and 1,800 employees, while continuing to invest in its team through above-industry pay, professional development, interest-free hardship loans, and personal touches like birthday cakes baked by its full-time baker.
In June, P. Terry’s transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) and introduced a profit-sharing program for eligible employees. The move helps protect the company’s culture and independence while giving employees a more direct way to share in its success. Kathy and Patrick remain actively involved as P. Terry’s continues to grow.
Join Common Trust CEO Zoe Schlag for a conversation with P. Terry’s cofounder Kathy Terry about scaling a people-first business, why employee ownership became part of the company’s next chapter, and what it takes to build understanding across a large, multi-location workforce.
Together, we’ll explore:
Maintaining culture at scale: How P. Terry’s has preserved its values and personal approach through growth
Why now: What led Kathy and Patrick to choose an EOT while continuing to lead and grow the company
Making ownership tangible: Why they paired the EOT with profit sharing, and how the two work together
Reaching 1,800 employees: What it takes to introduce ownership across locations, roles, and shifts
Building stronger connections: How investing in employees can strengthen employee pride and deepen customer and community connection
We hope to see you there!
Can’t join live? Register anyway. We’ll share the recording afterward.