December 9, 2025 – Neenah, WI – Leaders from locations across all open Wissota Franchising locations gathered at the historic Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 17th and 18th for two days of collaboration, learning, and planning for the year ahead.
Many of the topics on this year’s agenda were centered around strengthening existing frameworks in order to keep improving in the areas of costing, retaining employees, and adhering to the standards set by the brand. 2026 will see a renewed commitment to enforcing brand standards for both the front of house and back of house at the restaurants, as well as revisiting the current menu to identify areas of opportunity in light of new industry trends in food and drink.
NAVIGATING RISING COSTS IN A DYNAMIC INDUSTRY
With one of the largest directives of the Wissota Chophouse brand being its high-end meat program, the rising cost of beef year over year continues to be a heavy topic of discussion. Wissota Brand President Heidi Shervey maintains that while the brand is not willing to compromise on the quality that sets them apart, they are exploring creative ways to control costs overall so that they can continue putting out first-rate dishes that are still a reflection of Wissota’s core commitment to quality.
As part of this effort to control cost, the brand is in conversations with multiple major food distributors regarding setting up a national account for the Wissota brand, which would not only regulate cost from location to location, but would also promote more consistency in the availability of products from state to state. While these conversations are still in their early stages, the brand is actively pursuing this as one step that they can take to control expenses in the near future.
WHERE LEADERSHIP, PASSION, AND CREATIVITY COLLIDE
Wissota continues to make safety a high priority, both inside and outside of the kitchen. Workshops and training on safety, employee administration, and fostering a healthy work environment made up a large part of this year’s agenda with restaurant leadership.
Creating a workspace that highlights creativity, teamwork, and a strong brand identity remains at the heart of what Wissota hopes to achieve. Chefs demonstrated their skills in the form of rotating features throughout the year, many of which were massive hits within local markets. Front end staff and bartenders put together craft cocktails and mocktails based on seasonal changes and local tastes. Many of the locations had opportunities to participate in local events to showcase Wissota’s offerings and get the restaurant’s name out to area businesses and groups.
2024 BRAND AWARDS
This year, the brand introduced their first annual Wissota Franchising awards ceremony, dedicated to recognizing standout individuals and locations that embody the core values of the Wissota brand. This year’s award categories and winners are as follows:
2024 Employee of the Year: Catherynn Scheffler | Wissota Chophouse – Neenah, WI
2024 Leader of the Year: Othniel Covasa | Wissota Chophouse – Neenah, WI
2024 Property of the Year: Wissota Chophouse – Ottumwa, IA
The property of the year will receive a dedicated trophy that they will be able to keep on display at the property. If you find yourself at any of these locations, please take a moment to congratulate the staff on their achievements!
ABOUT WISSOTA CHOPHOUSE
Named after Wissota Lake near the hometown of its founders, the Wissota Chophouse strives to bring an elevated dining experience to smaller markets. After opening its first location in the city of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, the Wissota brand has continued to grow, soon to be operating at 12 different locations in 5 states across the country.
Wissota Chophouse partners with the Cobblestone Hotels brand for all their locations, finding the upper mid-scale brand a great match for Wissota’s elegant design and carefully planned menu. The Wissota Chophouse strives to continuously provide superior service and innovative menu options that are sure to make it a favorite spot amongst locals and travelers alike.
When you dine with Wissota, you are dining with family. Visit www.wissotachophouse.com to learn more about our story, our locations, and franchising opportunities.
Author: Elizabeth Braun | info@wissotachophouse.com