In professional kitchens where speed is currency and pressure never lets up; struggles can hide in plain sight.
Restaurant and hospitality workers consistently rank among the highest rates of substance use in the American workforce, a reality long acknowledged but rarely addressed with meaningful structure.
Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill and Ling’s Wok Shop are working to change that, formally adopting Valley Leadership’s Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Business Toolkit across their Scottsdale operations and reframing addiction as a health issue before crisis takes hold.
LEARN MORE: Why employees stay silent about substance use and what Arizona employers can do about it
Led by president and CEO John Banquil Jr., the restaurant group is implementing policy shifts, education initiatives, and leadership training designed to replace stigma with support.
“I’ve seen firsthand how addiction impacts our industry,” Banquil said.
“There are teammates I still think about, and I wish we had been better equipped to support them. This gives us the structure to respond with care instead of confusion. In hospitality, addiction has too often been accepted as part of the culture. We’ve lost too many talented people. It’s time to address it directly.”
As part of the initiative, Ling & Louie’s and Ling’s Wok Shop are introducing structural changes that prioritize employee health, clarity and open communication.
Valley Leadership’s OUD Business Toolkit implementation steps include:
Policy Shift. Replacing a traditional zero-tolerance approach with policies centered on health, safety, and well-being.
Safe Reporting. Establishing clear pathways for employees to approach management with concerns, questions, or requests for treatment support.
Education and Training. Providing leadership education and team-wide resources to better understand opioid use disorder and reduce stigma.
Culture Assessment. Evaluating internal perceptions surrounding OUD to guide future education and awareness efforts.
“Hospitality is about taking care of others,” Banquil said. “We can’t expect our team to care for guests if we’re not willing to care for them first. Our commitment to our employees has to match the commitment we make to every person who walks through our doors.”
Developed by Valley Leadership, the OUD Business Toolkit provides Arizona employers with practical, evidence-based guidance to build recovery-ready workplaces and respond to substance use with clarity and consistency.
“Opioid use disorder isn’t just a public health issue; it’s a workforce issue,” said Paige Soucie, Valley Leadership’s director of marketing and OUD Business Toolkit’s team lead.
“Employers are often on the front lines. When they have clear policies, strong communication strategies, and trained managers, they can respond with compassion and confidence.”
Soucie said adoption within the restaurant sector is especially meaningful.
“When brands like Ling & Louie’s and Ling’s Wok Shop shift from zero tolerance to a health-centered approach, they show that supporting employees through substance use challenges is both realistic and responsible, even in demanding environments.”
For Banquil, the decision ultimately returns to the heart of hospitality.
“It comes down to an open mind and an open heart,” he said. “If we want to be great at taking care of our guests, we have to be just as intentional about taking care of our team.”
Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill is located at 9397 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 125, Scottsdale. Ling’s Wok Shop is located at 20511 N. Hayden Road, Suite 100, Scottsdale.
