About Jon Saunders
Building Better Leaders, One Shift at a Time
Jon Saunders is the founder of Crack On Coaching — a company dedicated to helping hospitality teams thrive, grow, and achieve their goals. He’s also the creator and host of the CrackOn Podcast, which delivers daily inspiration and honest conversations about leadership, mindset, and the reality of working in hospitality today.
With over 25 years in the industry, Jon’s journey has taken him from glass collector to award-winning bar owner, with leadership roles along the way as Head of Operations at Creative Hospitality Group, Head of Special Projects at Tapas Revolution, and Facilitator at Purple Story. He’s lived the highs, the chaos, and the culture of hospitality — and he’s built a career on turning those experiences into lessons that help others grow.
“I help hospitality leaders become the reason people stay — not the reason they quit.” – Jon Saunders
Jon’s passion for coaching was born out of a simple but powerful realisation: great hospitality doesn’t happen by accident — it happens because of great leadership. After years of seeing talented people promoted into management without ever being shown how to lead, he made it his mission to change that story.
He believes that leadership is both a skill and a mindset — something that can be learned, practised, and passed on. His coaching style is energetic, honest, and deeply practical. Whether he’s working one-to-one with a General Manager or facilitating a room full of operators, Jon’s sessions blend real-world experience with genuine care for people. He doesn’t deal in buzzwords — he deals in what works when the pressure’s on, the shift’s in full swing, and the team needs direction.
Jon is known for his authenticity, humour, and straight-talking style. He brings energy, empathy, and an unshakeable belief that leadership done well changes everything — the results, the culture, and the people. His approach is as much about heart as it is about high performance.
At his core, Jon is a connector — someone who believes that when leaders learn to communicate with purpose, coach with empathy, and show up with consistency, they create teams that don’t just perform, but belong.
“Everything I teach, I’ve lived. Every challenge, every late night, every win. That’s why I believe so deeply in the power of great leadership — because I’ve seen what happens when it’s missing, and when it’s done right.” – Jon Saunders