Eurest USA’s Retail & Marketing Advisor (RMA) program is a six-month, on-the-job training initiative designed to fuel top-line growth by improving retail merchandising, beverage execution, and promotional strategy at the unit level—delivering measurable sales growth and strengthening client partnerships for Compass Group’s business and industry foodservice brand.
The program establishes a formal path for salaried managers to build strategic merchandising skills while remaining in their operational roles—advancing immediate business outcomes alongside long-term talent development.
Program Details
Participants are nominated by division leadership and selected through a structured application process. While continuing in their operational role, RMAs take on a temporary assignment that allows them to apply new skills in real time using their own marketplaces as a training ground—driving product placement, promotional execution, guest engagement, and revenue-producing initiatives. This live-application model accelerates learning and ties development to measurable outcomes such as sales growth, guest satisfaction, and consistent execution.
The training curriculum includes 13 required modules delivered through a blend of live sessions, digital instruction, self-paced learning, and one-on-one coaching. Courses focus on merchandising strategy, beverage and retail programs, hospitality, catering relationships, social media, and leadership development. Each RMA is paired with a division marketing lead and supported by national marketing leaders who provide coaching, resources, and ongoing feedback.
Weekly coaching calls with the national marketing team, sales performance reviews, and targeted “Steps to Success” modules tied to promotions and campaigns ensure immediate application.
Performance is evaluated continuously. RMAs are assessed on their ability to translate training into measurable results, with progress reviewed through sales analysis; coaching sessions; and feedback from division, marketing, and operational leaders.
Long term, RMAs continue to participate in quarterly retail forums, retain access to marketing tools and resources, and serve as mentors for incoming RMAs—creating a cycle of peer-to-peer learning and sustained reinforcement.
Results
Division marketing leads report stronger ownership of merchandising, greater initiative in promotional planning, and higher confidence among RMAs in applying marketing strategy. Field leaders also note more consistent brand execution and increased creativity in how RMAs approach retail programs.
Since the program’s launch, units with active RMAs have delivered a 30.8 percent average increase in retail sales and an 18.8 percent increase in beverage sales.
