Raising the Standard: Why Professional Integrity Matters in the Grill Service Industry
I’ve spent years working in and around the grill service industry—both as an operator and as someone deeply interested in how trades evolve, professionalize, and earn long-term trust.
That’s why I’m genuinely excited to be contributing as a subject matter expert to the work of the American Grill Service Institute (AGSI), and why I believe this moment represents something much bigger than a new certification or organization.
It represents a choice.
A Choice Between Convenience and Integrity
In industries without clear standards, it’s easy for shortcuts to become normal.
When expectations are vague, the pressure to “just get it done” can quietly override deeper questions about safety, competence, and long-term outcomes. Over time, that doesn’t just hurt customers—it hurts the credibility of the entire profession.
The grill service industry has lived in that gray area for too long.
That’s not a criticism of technicians or business owners. It’s a recognition of what happens when a trade grows faster than its standards.
Why Higher Standards Help Everyone
I strongly believe that our businesses grow when our standards grow.
When we hold ourselves to higher levels of:
technical competence
professional judgment
ethical responsibility
documentation and transparency
we don’t lose business—we gain trust.
Customers may not understand every technical detail of grill maintenance or fire risk, but they do recognize professionalism. They recognize consistency. And they recognize when a service provider takes responsibility seriously.
That trust compounds.
Professionalism Is a Competitive Advantage
Some worry that higher standards make it harder to compete.
In reality, the opposite is true.
Clear, shared standards:
help distinguish experienced professionals from low-effort providers
protect businesses from reputational damage
reduce risk for customers and property owners
elevate pricing power by shifting the conversation from “cheap” to “competent”
Industries that professionalize don’t shrink—they mature.
Why I Support the Mission of AGSI
The American Grill Service Institute exists to do something the industry has needed for a long time: define what competent, professional grill service actually looks like.
AGSI’s work focuses on:
safety-centered service practices
evidence-based maintenance and diagnostics
professional judgment rather than guesswork
raising expectations without shaming or exclusion
You can learn more about their mission and standards at https://agsinstitute.org.
I’m proud to support that effort—not because it benefits any single business, but because it benefits the future of the trade.
A Message to Fellow Business Owners and Technicians
If you’re in the grill service industry and care about:
doing the job right
serving customers responsibly
building a business that lasts
being proud of the work you put your name on
then I’d encourage you to see higher standards not as a burden, but as an opportunity.
The industries that thrive over the long term are the ones willing to raise the bar—starting with themselves.
Looking Forward
Professionalism isn’t something that’s handed down. It’s something we choose, collectively, through the standards we set and the integrity we maintain when no one is watching.
I’m excited about where the grill service industry is headed—and optimistic about what we can build when we commit to doing this work at the highest level.