Risk management in the restaurant industry is no longer just about minimizing claims. For Kurt Leisure, VP of Risk Services at The Cheesecake Factory, it’s about anticipating challenges, building strong industry partnerships, and knowing when to trust people over technology.

In this episode, recorded live at RIMS 2025 in Chicago, host Marc Cunningham talks with Kurt about the lessons from 35 years in risk, the art of preventing litigation before it begins, and how Cheesecake Factory is blending AI with human insight to stay ahead.

Join us as we discuss:

• How to work with carriers early to avoid courtroom surprises
• Why people skills still matter more than automation in complex claims
• Where AI fits in risk programs—and where it doesn’t
• What forward-thinking really looks like in enterprise risk management