When CHIRINGA opened in Alpharetta in 2018, the focus was on bringing the same welcoming, community-driven atmosphere of 30A, Florida, to new markets. As the CHIRINGA brand grows, we feel that maintaining that energy across all locations is key to long-term success. Recently, Logan Crane, General Manager of the soon-to-open CHIRINGA BeltLine, and Sutton Thompson, Assistant General Manager, traveled down to 30A to experience the “OG” beach culture firsthand.
For Logan and Sutton, this trip to CHIRINGO was an opportunity to understand the “Secret Sauce” behind the original location’s success.
"CHIRINGO has this way of making everything feel easy and inviting," Logan shared. "From how the staff interacts to how the kitchen runs, there’s a laid-back energy that works, even when things are busy. We want to make sure that we bring that vibe back to our Georgia locations."
Capturing the CHIRINGO Spirit
At the beach, Logan and Sutton were introduced to an atmosphere where hospitality is ingrained in every aspect of the business.
"It’s not just about the food," Logan explained. "It’s the whole experience—how you feel when you’re there. Everyone who comes through the door is treated like they’ve been there before—really putting into practice the company motto of ‘Friends Serving Friends.’"
Logan noted that spending time in Grayton Beach offered a clearer picture of the friendship dynamic. "It’s impressive to see how they’ve built relationships—not only between the staff but also with their guests. CHIRINGO is an important part of the greater community on 30A for full-time residents and out-of-towners.”
Bringing Lessons Back
After their visit, both Logan and Sutton returned with insight and excitement about applying what they’d seen.
"We came back with so many little things," Sutton said. "Operational tweaks, small adjustments in how they do things at CHIRINGO, but more importantly, a fresh perspective on keeping things authentic and fun."
Jimmy Frantz, Director of Operations at CHIRINGO, was glad to host Logan and Sutton.
"It’s always great to have people from other locations come down here," Jimmy mentioned. "They saw how we operate during peak times and how we still keep things consistent. The driving goal in all we do is to ensure every guest feels welcome, no matter how busy it gets."
Andy McKoski, Co-Founder and Partner of CHIRINGO and CHIRINGA, emphasized the importance of keeping the core values alive across all locations.
"The staff and customers at CHIRINGO set the expectation for everything we want to do as a company. We’re trying to stay true to the heart of the brand—CHIRINGO is our basecamp. We plan to bring down as many CHIRINGA staffers as possible to share the experience."
Bekah Weaver, the newly appointed General Manager of CHIRINGA Alpharetta, has also seen the benefits of Logan and Sutton’s trip.
"They came back with so many ideas," Bekah shared. "It’s exciting to see how CHIRINGO’s influence continues to shape the future of CHIRINGA."
As CHIRINGA begins expansion, its commitment to a culture of "Friends Serving Friends" remains the foundation of the brand. Every new location will reflect the same focus on creating a space where guests feel welcome and at ease. Whether in Grayton Beach, Alpharetta, or Atlanta, the sense of friendship, connection, and genuine hospitality that CHIRINGA and CHIRINGO are known for will continue to shape the employee and guest experience.
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