Illinois's only dedicated soft skills training program for front-of-house hospitality workers. Grant funded. Community rooted. Zero cost to qualifying businesses.
Fully funded through City of Chicago Workforce Solutions & Illinois DCEO WIOA
"Hard skills get someone hired. Soft skills keep the business alive."
What Is The CHEx Institute
Two days. Three pillars. One certification.
CHEx delivers intensive, in-person soft skills training to front-of-house hospitality workers — from neighborhood restaurants on the South Side to fine dining groups across Chicagoland. Blended with a digital platform for pre-work, 30-day reinforcement, and ongoing monthly content.
01
Two-Day Intensive
12 hours of in-person training. Workers keep their pay. Employers lose no shifts.
02
CHEx Certification
Every graduate receives a CHEx Certificate. Every business earns CHEx-Certified Establishment status and the window plaque.
03
Digital Platform
Mobile pre-work before Day 1. 30-day post-training reinforcement. Monthly subscription content for ongoing development.
04
Zero Cost to Business
Fully funded through city and state workforce development grants. CHEx handles all the paperwork. You sign off. That is it.
The Curriculum
Three pillars. Five modules.
CHEx teaches the skills that drive loyalty, reduce turnover, and build careers — in a format designed for real hospitality workers, not a classroom.
1
Guest Experience
How you treat people
De-escalation, upselling, hospitality warmth, and reading the room. Return customers who ask for you by name.
2
Workplace Excellence
How you show up
Conflict resolution, team communication, professional conduct, and emotional regulation under pressure.
3
Leadership Ready
Where you go next
The foundation for moving from hourly to management. Career pathing for workers who have real potential and no structured pathway.
★
Bonus Track — Leadership Ready Advanced
8-week evening program for CHEx Certified graduates. Employer-sponsored. Moves workers from hourly to management.
How It Works
Three steps. No paperwork for you.
CHEx handles everything. Your only job is to say yes.
Step 01
Your business applies
CHEx handles all the grant paperwork and compliance documentation. You review, sign off, and confirm your participating staff.
Step 02
Your staff get trained
Two days of intensive in-person training. Workers complete mobile pre-work beforehand. They keep their pay. No lost shifts.
Step 03
Everyone gets certified
CHEx Certificates issued to every graduate. Your business receives CHEx-Certified Establishment status and the window plaque.
Who We Serve
Every restaurant deserves this.
From a South Side neighborhood taqueria to a West Loop fine dining group. From a five-location QSR operator to a hotel food and beverage team.
🍽️
Fine Dining & Hotels
🍔
Fast Casual & QSR
🏠
Neighborhood Restaurants
🍸
Bars & Nightlife
Advisory Team
Guided by Chicago's hospitality community.
The CHEx Institute is backed by an inaugural advisory team of respected Chicago chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality leaders.
Inaugural Advisory Team
Our advisors bring decades of experience across Chicago's culinary, hospitality, and workforce development communities. Full team announcement coming soon.
Announcement Coming Soon
Grant Funded
Zero cost. Real results.
City of Chicago
Workforce Solutions Program — fully funded training for qualifying Chicago area businesses. CHEx manages all compliance and documentation.
State of Illinois
Illinois DCEO WIOA Title I funding — statewide workforce development grants supporting front-of-house hospitality training.
Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership
One of the largest public workforce systems in the nation. CHEx is building a training relationship through our Chicago community partnerships.
Get Involved
Ready to bring CHEx to your team?
We are currently building our inaugural pilot cohort. Qualifying Chicago area businesses participate at zero cost. Space is limited.