Author(s): Janry Paul Aganon Santos

Abstract: The study was conducted in the province of Nueva Ecija an emerging hospitality and tourism industry hotspot toinvestigate how employee satisfaction affects the operational performance of food and beverage establishments In this regard employeesatisfaction is discussed as an independent variable focusing on four essential factors compensation work environment career growth opportunities and management support These factors affect service delivery performance indicators like productivity service quality or globalperformance A structuredsurvey was implemented in 30 establishments collecting data from 120 employees The strongest operational performance predictors were the work environment and the opportunity to access managementsupport A clean safe workplace and practices carried out in management like clear communication and acknowledgmenthelped improve employee morale and productivity tremendously Career paths had a moderate effect on longterm engagement At the same time salary was more relevant to retention than ongoingdaily engagement though it was considered a given in all aspects of the job Correlation and regression methods found Positive relationships between satisfaction dimensions and performance indicators The strongest correlations were found between workplace conditionsand management support The study adds that improving employee satisfaction starts with holisticattention to employee needs These recommendations include reassessing compensation structures cultivating a supportive work environment managing supportpriorities and investing in employee development opportunities Wellfunctioning service providers create unique customer experiences and greater employee satisfaction which leads to higher employee satisfactionresulting in seamless operations higher service quality and sustainablecompetitive advantage The study offers practical implications for managers and restaurant owners and highlights that enhancing employee wellbeing is essential for the sustained success of food and beveragecompanies

Keywords: Career Growth Opportunities, Employee Satisfaction, Food and Beverage Establishment, Management Support, Work Environment.

Article Info: Received: 23 Mar 2025; Received in revised form: 21 Apr 2025; Accepted: 25 Apr 2025; Available online: 30 Apr 2025

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.102.61