Dave Rife, White Castle
Apparently, White Castle is indeed America’s oldest fast food restaurant. You learn something new every time you...make LinkedIn content. Anyway, there are a few points at the start of the episode that stood out to me.
We love supportive women, and Dave gushes about his wife from the start. Cheers to Lynn; may we have a Lynn, may we be a Lynn.
Dave is very focused on his health journey. I think the juxtaposition of having a family deep in fast food is fascinating. I think he is also a REAL inspiration for healthy body image. He doesn’t cut out his own restaurant; he just doesn’t eat the fried stuff. 80/20 living IRL.
Dave frequently admitted his nerves. It doesn’t matter how many jobs you have had; the first day in a new environment is nerve-wracking! I always tell my employees to be honest about things like that. When they are new, I tell them to TELL clients that they are new if they get held up. Everyone has been new at a job before, and like 97% of the time, the client becomes fully accommodating.
Dave and Donna
Chaos Kitchen. So many people. 70 employees for one new location, including four managers borrowed from other locations. I feel like I couldn’t even focus on anything leadership-related because there was simultaneously too much and also not enough. However, I think it’s important to know that being a leader is also knowing when to step back for a different/higher leader/manager. It seems like mostly everyone at this store did know what they were doing, but there were quite literally “too many cooks.”
Dave and Steve
This was Dave’s second shift in one day. I appreciate this a lot, because I feel 2+ jobs is more of a reality to most people. This one was once again back at it with a crazy loud warehouse. Steve at one point says, “Careful of the hoe; it’ll take the skin right off your arm—want to try?” Naw thanks :) . I love the camerawomen/men on this show. They get some phenomenal shots that make me laugh. Dave was getting angry at himself and admitted it. As a leader, especially one high up that has grown in their career, it's HARD going back to your roots and admitting that you're frustrated you can't do it. He pushed through and still tried and tried to improve along the way. Bonus: I really love that Steve mentioned the waste goes to a LOCAL farmer - and that the hogs will be happy.
Dave and Darlene
I find it wild that they put new employees on the grill. I feel like there is a skill to that that I would not have on the first day. Dave spends some time with a shift manager, who tells him that they are not stacking the burgers the correct way technically, but that this way is faster. Darlene leans over and tells him not to pick up any bad habits. I like that.
Dave and Joe
This is a late-night shift, and as everyone knows, White Castle is superior late-night food. The first time on the drive-thru mic, Dave says, “Welcome to White Quarter.” HAH, poor guy. We've all been there. Joe is a great leader, making the point that you don't have to be ‘formal’; you have to be polite. You can talk to anyone at any level; just be polite.
Dave and Jose
This kid has PASSION. Arguably one of the most important qualities in leadership. If you don’t like what you do, or the product, etc., you are not going to perform at your highest level. When you LOVE what you are doing, it shows. Jose makes his own sauce to bring for his meal, and Dave can’t get enough. It is a really sweet moment to watch. Spoiler: At the end, Dave gives Jose a scholarship to start his culinary arts education. Jose is incredibly touched. One of my favorite moments in the show.
Dave and Vicky/Brenda
Dave shows up late for his shift. Right away, he is told that is not acceptable. I LOVE that Brenda had no hesitation in speaking up and telling him that was not acceptable. This warehouse was vaguely quieter. I still have so much respect for these workers. In this scene, Vicki states it is frustrating to have a supervisor who doesn't step in to work when it is needed. All leaders need to know that they still have to do the grunt work sometimes. Just because you are ‘in charge’ does not mean that you get to kick your feet up. Like Dave, I am on the team that believes happy employees are productive employees. It costs nothing to be kind and to try to make people happy. I was happy to see that the episode update included that Vicky and Brenda were working well together and that production at the warehouse improved.
Post Show
There are a few points I could make, but I think only one is really important. As of May 2025, Dave serves as president of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation Board. In 2019, he lost his son, Matthew Jason Rife, to suicide at just 33 years old. Since then, Dave has made it his purpose to advocate for mental health support, push for real change, and speak out in spaces that matter, including testifying at the Ohio Statehouse to protect funding for prevention efforts. Everything he does in this space is grounded in love and carried forward in Matthew’s name. Now That’s What I Call Leadership.