LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Smiling is a force of habit for Nicholas Johnson. Since starting at Agave and Rye three years ago, Johnson says that smile hasn’t gone away.
“I just saw the energy and how it looked on the inside and I was like, ‘Okay, I can get into that,’” Johnson said.
Johnson is now working as the leader of the house at the Louisville Agave and Rye location.
The restaurant is known for their tacos and taking care of all of their employees.
“So all of our team members, even hourly, have access to health care packages so that’s health care, dental, vision, and it also comes with resources for mental health assistance as well,” district leader for Agave and Rye, Payton Caines said.
Team members also have access to an online health and wellness program that includes personal training and financial wellness classes.
“We’re currently at a 96% staffing rate and we’re very fortunate for that right now in a time where it’s not been so easy for everyone,” Caines said.
After 6 years of struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, Johnson turned his life around.
“Trying to make that change in the time frame that I needed to, but with the insurance that I have from them I was able to do it instantly and I still have support here and everyday reassurance that I’m not alone,” Johnson said.
Thanks to the health care package the restaurant offers, Johnson could take part in an intensive outpatient program as part of his road to recovery.
“You don’t really see companies with this founder’s personality that talk about love and grabbing a hold of your entire life and giving you a chance,” Johnson said. “When you have someone in your corner that does care about you that much, it’ll make you want to give them the world.”
Johnson has now been sober for 3 months. Agave and Rye has also just recently rolled out a 401K program available to all hourly and leadership employees.