Sharkey’s Restaurant Group
Academy & Impact
Changing Lives, One Plate at a Time
Welcome to Sharkey Academy
At SRG, we don’t just build restaurants — we build people. The Sharkey Academy is our heart and engine. Designed to empower the next generation of culinary and business professionals, the Academy offers free training to youth aging out of foster care, underserved communities, and aspiring entrepreneurs looking for a shot at something greater.
This isn’t charity. It’s a movement.
It’s about unlocking potential, rebuilding confidence, and offering real pathways to long-term success — both inside and outside the kitchen.
What We Offer
Our program combines culinary training, business education, and mentorship — all powered by the Sharkey OS and guided by our commitment to excellence.
✅ Culinary Training (ACF Apprenticeship model)
✅ Restaurant Management & Entrepreneurship
✅ Franchise & Operations Development
✅ Technology-Driven Tools (like Sharkey AI)
✅ 1-on-1 Mentorship & Career Coaching
✅ Hands-On Internships at SRG Locations
Graduates walk away with industry-recognized certifications, real-world experience, and — when ready — direct pathways into employment or franchise ownership.
How We Track Impact
How We Track Impact
We don’t just throw out buzzwords — we measure everything.
With Sharkey AI, we monitor:
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Student enrollment & retention
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Certification completions
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Job placement & career tracking
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Entrepreneurial readiness
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Mental wellness & resilience indicators (through partner orgs)
Why This Matters
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Only 50% of youth who age out of foster care are employed by age 24.
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Less than 10% ever enroll in post-secondary education.
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Many never get access to the networks and guidance needed to succeed.
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We're changing that — one plate, one person, one program at a time.
How We're Doing It Differently
Fully Funded Programs
Thanks to support from local partners, investors, and city programs, students never pay a dime.
Immersive Learning Environments
Students train in real operating kitchens — not classrooms. They learn side-by-side with chefs, managers, and entrepreneurs.
Cultural & Emotional Relevance
We teach with care. With context. With truth. This is mentorship rooted in shared experience, not lectures.
Ownership Opportunities
Graduates who complete the full academy track are eligible to franchise select SRG brands with guided financial and operational support.
Why We Built the Academy
A Letter from the Founder
“Not everyone gets a second chance. That’s why we’re committed to making sure the next generation doesn’t have to wait for one.”
— William Sharkey, Founder & CEO
Sharkey Academy was born from more than just an idea — it was born from lived experience.
Growing up, our founder didn’t have access to mentors in business, let alone fine dining. He had the hustle, the vision, and the grit — but no one to help him translate it into success. So he built SRG with a different blueprint in mind: one that leaves the door open for others. Especially those who’ve been locked out.
We know what it’s like to be underestimated. To be overlooked. To be told, “That’s not for you.”
At Sharkey Academy, we flip that narrative on its head.
Whether it’s a teenager aging out of foster care, a single mom rebuilding her career, or a young man just needing someone to believe in him — this is the place where dreams and discipline meet. Where people don’t just learn how to cook — they learn how to lead.
This isn’t just about creating jobs.
It’s about creating futures.
It’s about feeding people — and fueling purpose.
Every apron tied. Every plate served. Every brand launched.
It all starts here — in a kitchen full of second chances and unstoppable energy.
