Brandon McCollum

Originally from Tucson, Arizona, Brandon grew up with hospitality as a central part of his daily life. His career began with an internship at a boutique hotel chain in Chicago, where he was promoted into a full-time role before transferring to Orlando. There, he spent five years building his experience across front-of-house operations, back-of-house support, and convention coordination. After relocating to New York City, Brandon transitioned into hospitality recruiting, bringing his operational background into every search. He believes the hiring process should be respectful, human, and transparent, and he takes pride in building genuine rapport, communicating clearly, and helping both individuals and teams find the right long-term fit. Brandon holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Arizona State University and is excited to bring his people-first approach to Empowered Hospitality, contributing to workplaces where individuals can truly thrive.

What is your ideal restaurant experience?

My ideal restaurant experience is one where I feel taken care of without having to ask. Food is important, but people and energy matter more. Genuine hospitality feels warm, intuitive, and human.

What does “creating workplaces where people thrive” mean to you?

To me, it means building environments where people feel respected, supported, and heard. When people feel valued and trusted, they can do their best work and grow in meaningful ways.