KINGSTON, Jamaica — Local restaurant chain Chicken & Tings started the new year by putting its people front and centre, hosting a full-day Staff Appreciation event aimed at recognising the employees who keep the business running every day.

The company closed all its branches on January 26 to stage the celebration, which took place at Puerto Seco Beach Club, followed by an evening appreciation dinner at Plantation Smokehouse. The event brought together 120 staff members from different branches, shifts and roles, giving the team a rare opportunity to connect outside of the work environment.

The day featured games, food, music and live entertainment from Skeng, Bishop Escobar and Ding Dong and his Ravers group.

“Staff appreciation, to me, means acknowledging that the business doesn’t run on systems alone, it runs on people. Without the staff, there would be no Chicken & Tings, just chicken. Starting the year with that level of appreciation was important because it set the tone,” owner Emelio Madden told Observer Online.

“I wanted the team to know from day one that they are not just workers filling a schedule, but partners in growth. Appreciation builds morale, trust and loyalty, and that’s the foundation we want to stand on for the year ahead,” he continued.

Reflecting on the previous year, Madden described 2025 as challenging but transformative. The business faced operational pressures, growing pains and the aftermath of a category five hurricane, but emerged stronger.

“The biggest lesson 2025 taught me was the importance of structure, communication and accountability. It showed me where systems needed tightening and where people needed more support. At the same time, it proved that the business could survive pressure and still move forward,” he said.

Looking ahead, the company’s focus for 2026 is stability, growth and elevation — both for the business and its staff.

“…Stronger systems, better training and more opportunities for staff to grow within the company. For the business, it’s about consistency and expansion. For the staff, it’s about development, pride in their work and feeling secure and motivated in their roles,” Madden explained.

He believes the positive energy from the staff appreciation event will directly support those goals.

“The event reminded everyone that they are part of something bigger than just a shift or a paycheck. When staff feel appreciated, they show up differently, with more pride, better teamwork and stronger commitment. That positive energy directly supports the company’s goals because motivated people produce better results. Encouragement sweetens labour,” he added.

Asked to sum up the outlook for the year ahead in a single word, the response was clear: focused.

“Focused on growth, focused on standards, focused on teamwork, and focused on becoming better than we were the year before, together,” Madden said.

Chicken & Tings boss Emelio Madden.

Staff members participate in a tug of war game.

Dancehall artiste Skeng performs for staff members during Chicken & Tings’ Staff Appreciation event.

Dancehall artiste Ding Dong performs for staff members during Chicken & Tings’ Staff Appreciation event.